Republican threats halt Victoria Fountain work

RESTORATION work on a fountain built near Dublin in memory of Queen Victoria has been halted following threats made by suspected republican paramilitaries against men carrying out the job.

The restoration company reported their staff received threats and it had decided against continuing the job.

The Victoria Fountain, close to the ferry terminal in Dun Laoghaire, was originally placed in 1901, the year of Queen Victoria’s death, to commemorate her visit a few years earlier.

Donal Marren, the chairman of Dun Laoghaire council, said: “The threats that the men’s lives were in danger are being taken seriously and the workers are very frightened.

“I am pleading for the threats to be withdrawn. The monument is part of our heritage and has now significance beyond that.”

However, Sinn Féin last night rejected what they called “attempts to blame republicans for the threats.”

Spokesman Paul O’Connor insisted: “Republicans have not been responsible for issuing any kinds of threats. We can assure the workers that while we object to the spending of almost €500,000 on the project, we would not in any way interfere with the work or the workers.”