The stone has been vandalised and damaged on a number of occasions.
Gardaí are investigating a recent act of vandalism on the ancient Lia Fáil standing stone on the Hill of Tara in Co Meath.
The word “fake” was painted on to the 5,000-year-old granite stone, which is one of the main attractions at the former seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the
Irish Times reports.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed they were investigating criminal damage to the stone, which was reported on Tuesday.
The spokesman said it was understood the stone was sprayed with graffiti sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Gardaí in Navan have opened an investigation and are appealing for information.
The word 'fake' was spray painted on the ancient stone - image via Meath Chronicle
Workers were seen using a steam cleaner to slowly clear off the graffiti under the supervision of representatives of the National Monuments Service, according to the
Journal.
The act has been condemned by a heritage group as “mindless” and “ugly”.
Ian Lumley of the heritage organisation An Taisce said the vandalism of historic buildings and monuments with spray paint is becoming more frequent.
“It’s already infesting our towns and cities, but this is attacking a monument of huge historical and mythological significance to one of the things that unify us – our ancient Irish culture that is part of our national identity.”
He added "It’s not just archaeological, historic monuments being targeted, there’s increasing concern about graveyards and cemeteries.
“There been some very unpleasant cases of gravestones; these would be tombs in graveyards in active use by their family members... Imagine the shock of going to visit the grave of your mother on her funeral anniversary and find it sprayed.”
Lumley suggested that spray paints and aerosols are too readily available, and that sales of such items should be limited.
Header image via wikiwand
READ NEXT: Rare blue lobster deemed 'one in two million' caught in Belfast Lough
