Gardaí are investigating vandalism to the Lia Fáil – the standing stone at the top of the Hill of Tara in Co Meath.
A garda spokesman confirmed that green and red paint was poured over the stone overnight.
At least 50% of the 5,000-year-old granite has been covered by the paint.
In 2012 the stone was damaged when pieces of it were hacked off with an ax.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan described last night’s vandalism as “truly shameful”.
“This is an act of cultural vandalism,” said Ian Doyle, archaeologist and head of conservation with the Heritage Council.
He said local people and others “have a close relationship with the Hill of Tara and this is an assault on their sense of pride and the respect, love and affection they have for it.”
Gardaí have appealed for anyone with information to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
m.rte.ie/news/touch/2014/0529/620400-hill-of-tara-vandalism/
Good grief, that's too depressing.
Some pictures to make it even more depressing:
thejournal.ie/hill-of-tara-stone-damaged-1491674-May2014/?utm_source=shortlink
Fucks sake.
I have been fortunate to have visited the Hill of Tara.
What is wrong with these people?
Hopefully they will be caught and dealt with appropriately.
Hopefully they can get the pain off without too much damage?
Since this happened in 2014, has the stone been cleaned of paint? I notice in the news that is was cleaned in 2005 after a previous vandalism act but there seems no news as to what has happened since 2014.
I can confirm that at the end of March 2017 the stone had been totally cleaned.
Thanks for the information, much appreciated.