Waterford Greenway sculpture destroyed by suspected arson

Header image via Twitter/@damienwlr

Gardaí are currently investigating the suspected act of vandalism.

An apparent arson attack has destroyed a large wooden sculpture along the Waterford Greenway.

The sculpture of Éiriu, a mythological figure known as the matron goddess of Ireland was created by Special Branch Carvers and installed on the Greenway in March as part of a biodiversity project.

The carver, John Hayes, has been described as “a master wood craftsman” and has designed other works including the 23 metre sword lying in Waterford’s Viking Triangle.

Waterford Fire Services attended the scene at Carriganore in the early hours of Friday morning, after being alerted that the sculpture was on fire. They managed to extinguish the blaze at about 7:30am but sadly, the artwork had been completely destroyed.

A sculpture on Waterford's Greenway destroyed in an apparent act of vandalism : see more on @wlrfm here is before and after … more tomorrow on this on #deisetoday pic.twitter.com/JUgafh7kRb

— Damien Tiernan (@damienwlr) October 3, 2022

The fire is being treated by Gardaí as an incident of criminal damage, and they are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A Garda spokesperson said:

Waterford Garda Station are looking for assistance in the investigation of the criminal damage to the wooden sculpture that was a feature on the Greenway at Carriganore, Waterford City. It has been destroyed by fire.

“The damage was discovered on 30 September at approximately 7.30am. Gardai and Waterford Fire Service attended the scene.

READ NEXT: Joe’s Chicken shuts up shop in Bray for the winter