Vandals destroy Rising plaque

THE vandalism of a 1916 commemorative plaque at Cabra Bridge has been widely condemned by local politicians and historians.

The plaque erected by Dublin City Council at the bridge on the North Circular Road was forcibly removed and damaged just three weeks after it was unveiled by Lord Mayor, Nial Ring.

It commemorates the brave men and women of the 1st Battalion, Irish Volunteers, many who came from the surrounding areas of Cabra, Phibsborough and Stoneybatter.

Cathaoirleach of the 1916 Relatives Association, Brian O’Neill, described the vandalism as “disrespectful and dishonourable”.

“The Cabra Historical Society has worked tirelessly to have this plaque erected,” he said.

“It was erected with honour, dignity and respect for the men and women of 1916. The person or persons who tore it down acted with dishonour and disrespect not only to our1916 relatives but to the local community.”

The damaged plaque has been recovered and the 1916 Relatives Association have vowed to work with the Lord Mayor and local Cllr Cieran Perry (IND) to ensure it’s restored.

The Lord Mayor has also promised to have it reinstalled at the site “in the very near future”.

“We will not allow the bravery of the Republican revolutionaries of 1916 to be disrespected,” he said.

“Cabra is proud of its Republican history.

“Only a couple of weeks ago I unveiled this plaque which commemorates the men and women of the area who attempted to block and stall the advancement of British troops through Cabra and into the city centre during the Easter Rising.”

Sinn Fein councillor, Janice Boylan, said the local community was shocked by the damage of the plaque.

"The work that went into getting this plaque approved and erected took two years,” she added.

“I am genuinely shocked that someone would do this. 

"The committee liaised with Dublin City Council and got everything in place.

“They invited James Connolly's great grandson James Connolly Heron to speak at the event and other members of the 1916 Relatives Association were present." 

Cllr Boylan said Gardaí informed her that CCTV can be checked from the area and that DCC need to report the theft as soon as possible so they can investigate.

"We have learned that the broken plaque was found in a garden and passed to a local person,” she said. 

"This is an act of criminal damage and theft and whoever is responsible needs to be held to account and brought to face the consequences of their actions."