Police probe after Belfast’s Mary Ann McCracken statue damaged with Irish inscription targeted

The Mary Ann McCracken statue was erected outside the building in March 2024 alongside trade unionist Winifred Carney to mark International Women's Day.

Both were the first non-royal women to get statues in the grounds of City Hall.

The PSNI confirmed it was investigating the damage.

Sinn Féin councillor Ronan McLaughlin said the damage targeted the specific section of the statue which was in Irish.

“It is disgraceful that the statue of Mary Ann McCracken has targeted and damaged,” he said.

“Even more concerning is that the damage appears to have been aimed specifically at the section inscribed as Gaeilge.

“This statue stands proudly at City Hall in memory of a remarkable anti-slavery campaigner and Irish republican.

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“I have spoken with council officials and called for a full investigation into the damage. I have also asked that the matter be referred to the PSNI.

“Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions to ensure this intolerant behaviour is not repeated.

“Sinn Féin is calling for repairs to be carried out as quickly as possible so the statue can continue to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown said the vandalism was “disgusting”.

"It's really important that this is fully investigated and I have spoken to the council to ask that the signage is fixed as soon as possible.

"Belfast has an embarrassingly low number of statues dedicated to women, so the unveiling of this one in the grounds of City Hall last year was particularly welcome and I was delighted to be in attendance.

"This makes it all the more shocking that it appears that someone has attacked it. It's also notable that it was an Irish language inspection on the statue that was targeted, showing even more intolerance.”

Alliance councillor Michael Long, who originally proposed the plan to commemorate the anti-slave campaigner, said he was “disgusted” by the vandalism.

“Mary Ann McCracken represents everything that is good about the shared history of our city,” he added.

“I was delighted when my proposal for the statue was backed by all parties four years ago, as she speaks to the ideals we all should live up to.

“Statues such as those of Mary Ann showcase the new, diverse Belfast by looking back to those who took stands and laid the foundations for the freedoms we enjoy today.

"It makes me despair how anyone could damage a memorial dedicated to someone held in such high regard by so many people.

“I appeal to anyone who has information on this incident to contact police with it immediately.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police received a report at around 12.55pm on Friday, July 18 of suspected criminal damage to a statue in the Donegall Square North area of Belfast.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on the 101 number, quoting reference 687 of 18/07/25.”

A Belfast City Council spokesperson said it was aware of the damage.

"This will be looked into and replaced as soon as possible,” they added.