Sculpture of Socks Byrne, where concerns have been raised over visible damage and cracks to the popular landmark.
Louth County Council has confirmed it is progressing plans to repair the much-loved statue of Olympic boxer Tony “Socks” Byrne at Scotch Hall, following reports of structural damage to the popular landmark.
Concerns about the condition of the sculpture were raised at the latest meeting of Drogheda Borough District by Cllr. Debbie McCole, who said she had contacted the local authority after noticing visible cracks around the feet of the statue.
According to Cllr. McCole, the damage is believed to have occurred in April. While temporary safety barriers were installed around the sculpture, she told the meeting that their continued presence has become a matter of local concern.
“It is a little bit unsightly,” she said, noting that the railings have now been in place for several weeks. She asked council officials for a timeline on when restoration work might be completed.
In response, Senior Executive Engineer Irene Mc Gahon confirmed that the council has already engaged contractors to carry out an assessment of the statue.
Ms Mc Gahon said the process has been complicated by efforts to identify who originally commissioned the statue, as there may be a need “for more specialist input,” she explained, particularly in ensuring that any repairs match the existing materials and securing the sculpture safely in place for the long term.
The statue commemorates the late Tony “Socks” Byrne, one of Drogheda’s most celebrated sporting figures. Byrne won a lightweight bronze medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, bringing international recognition to his hometown.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. McCole welcomed the council’s commitment to resolving the issue and restoring the monument to its former condition.
“I’m delighted that Louth County Council are working to repair the much-loved statue,” she said. “The work involves matching the material the sculpture is made of to the material used for repair.”
“And then Socks will be back on his feet.”
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