A memorial to Irish music legend Luke Kelly has been vandalised in Dublin’s inner city.

The Sheriff Street memorial was one of two statues of the singer unveiled in the city earlier this year.

Local Councillor Christy Burke said the community is “outraged” after it was defaced by vandals who spray painted a dark pair of sunglasses on it.

“I know that the family will be hurt and devastated tonight and I know that the community is absolutely devastated,” he said.

“I am absolutely outraged; I actually feel so disturbed inside that I am virtually shaking.

“Really and truly, I never dreamt that this would happen.”

He called on anyone in the local community with any information on the culprits to pass it on to Gardaí.

“It is a sad evening at the end of the day but we won’t give up,” he said.

“The graffiti will be removed; the community will stand together, stronger and stronger and I know that they will continue to police the Luke Kelly statue.”

Councillor Burke worked with the Kelly family to get the statue erected in January of this year.