A temporary World War I memorial at Dublin's St Stephen's Green has been cleaned after overnight vandalism.
'The Hauntings Soldier' sculpture was placed in the park to mark the centenary of the end of the war.
It was described as a "ghostly figure, careworn and weary from battle" designed to evoke "the fragility and suffering of those who survived World War I and returned home to an uncertain and difficult future".
It was unveiled earlier this month, and scheduled to remain until this coming Monday.
When the park opened this morning, red paint had been thrown over the sculpture.
It's believed to have happened at around 2.00am.
Gardaí are investigating it as a case of criminal damage.
Workers remove red paint which was thrown at the Haunting Soldier staue on display in St Stephen's Green, Dublin | Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
The sculpture has since been cleaned.
The Office of Public Works says the statue will remain on display until Sunday evening 26th November, before heading back to the UK.
OPW Staff have now substantially completed the clean-up of The Haunting Soldier statue in St. Stephen's Green. The statue will remain on display until Sunday evening 26th November before heading back to the UK. So make sure to come along and see this wonderful piece for yourself. pic.twitter.com/1EXHzzjiIm
— OfficeofPublicWorks (@opwireland) November 22, 2018
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
