Literary giants standing fast in face of scrap gang

While the pen may be mightier than the sword, an Irish literary giant has for the second time this year proven his mettle against robust attack.

A marauding scrap gang are suspected of trying to pull down a life-size brass statue of the acclaimed poet Michael Hartnett, erected in his native Newcastle West in Co Limerick.

The badly damaged statue, which was sculpted by West of Ireland artist Rory Breslin, was cordoned off yesterday and will have to be taken away for major repairs.