Damaged Kildare statue repaired after American donor steps in

THE statue of John Devoy in Poplar Square which had been vandalised last year “has been restored and repaired in situ”.

“Kildare County Council can confirm that repair work on the John Devoy statue was arranged and paid for by an anonymous benefactor, who does not wish to be identified,” said a spokesperson for the council.

“As the arrangements for the repairs took place between the artist and the donor, Kildare County Council has no information on the cost of any repair work that took place,” she said.

However, Chair of Naas Tidy Towns committee cllr Bill Clear was able to shine a bit more light on the subject stating it had been done by an Irish American group.

“They went and did it themselves after they heard about it on social media,” he explained.

Previously, he had quoted €10,000 as the cost of repair, and has not strayed from this estimation at this stage.

Member of the public

Last July Cllr Anne Breen made the query at a meeting of the Naas Municipal District where she wondered: “Why, and what method was used to attempt to clean the John Devoy Statue in Poplar Square? This appears to have caused serious damage to the surface of the statue.”

“The county council has not cleaned the John Devoy statue, and the damage has been caused by a member of the public,” said Elaine Donnelly, acting arts officer in July.

“There’s no talking with this person, she cleaned it with some sort of cleaner that’s inappropriate for such a bronze statue,” explained cllr Clear previously.