The iconic Molly Malone statue in Dublin has been targeted by vandals.
The statue, recently unveiled following refurbishment at a new temporary location on Suffolk St in the city, was daubed with what appears to be red paint overnight.
"We spend thousands each year removing graffiti from businesses," said the Dublin City Business Improvement District (BIPD), which posted a picture to Twitter.
"Now much loved public monuments targeted."
We spend thousands each year removing graffiti from businesses. Now much loved public monuments targeted #disgrace pic.twitter.com/97xrw8zQAk
— weareDublinTown (@weareDublinTown) July 23, 2014
Dublin BIPD chief executive Richard Guiney told breakingnews.ie that they would be liaising with the relevant authorities to ensure that the statue is quickly cleaned.
"Molly Malone is in the remit of Dublin City Council so we will be speaking to them and offering our assistance if necessary to ensure that the graffiti is removed," Mr Guiney said.
"Obviously it's a heritage piece so care will have to be taken with it.
Mr Guiney said that the BIPD spends €125,000 per year on two teams tasked with graffiti removal in the city.
"Obviously there are better things we could be doing with this money than cleaning tags," he added.
"The stuff we are removing is not of artistic quality.
"People should have more respect for the city and for the people that use it."
The Molly Malone statue was removed from its Grafton St lower location temporarily for repair as a part of the Heritage Works by Luas Cross City.
Originally installed in 1988, Molly will remain on Suffolk Street until the Luas Cross City works completion in 2017, when she will be returned to her original spot.
All clean again. Yay!
The Molly Malone statue which was vandalised with graffiti last night has just been cleaned #rtenews pic.twitter.com/3sUlZMQgjB
— Colm Hand (@ColmHand) July 23, 2014