'Leave it alone': Vandalism of plaque on Carrick-on-Suir bridge condemned
Carrick-on-Suir Cllr David Dunne says this is the second time the plaque on Carrick-on-Suir’s historic Old Bridge has been vandalised
Tipperary County Council is making arrangements to clean a plaque on Carrick-on-Suir's Old Bridge that was defaced with graffiti last week.
Carrick-on-Suir Cllr David Dunne said he was “very disappointed” at this vandalism and appealed for the historic River Suir crossing to be left alone.
“The bridge is one of the oldest in Ireland, would you leave it alone,” he pleaded.
The word “Sperm” was daubed across the plaque, which is located in the centre of the bridge.
The plaque features information on the history of the Old Bridge, which dates from around 1447, and includes a quote from a poem written by renowned Carrick-on-Suir poet Michael Coady.
Cllr Dunne said the graffiti was discovered on the morning of Monday, August 17.The graffiti appeared to have been written using vinegar and chipper fat. A council staff member told him this was the second time the plaque was defaced.
The Sinn Féin councillor said the last time the plaque was vandalised, the council had to get specialist cleaners to remove the graffiti, which was expensive.
Some cleaning was carried out on the plaque last week.
Tipperary County Council said the partial cleaning was a patch test to establish the most appropriate cleaning treatment, and the local authority is assessing the most appropriate method of cleaning the monument.
In a statement, the Council said it was disappointed the plaque has been defaced.
“It forms part of an important historic structure and is of significant local interest to the people of Carrick-on-Suir.
“Tipperary County Council takes any damage or defacement of public heritage and amenity assets seriously and is currently assessing the most appropriate method of cleaning the plaque to ensure that it is restored without causing any damage to the monument.
“Arrangements are being made to have the plaque cleaned as soon as practicable."
The Council added that it takes incidents of vandalism seriously and will continue to liaise with the relevant parties regarding this matter.