Fans turn out as Lynott statue is back in town

It was Paul McCartney who fretted over whether he’d still be loved at 64 but the fans of Phil Lynott proved their hero need never have wondered the same as they turned out in droves to welcome the return of his statue in time for what would have been his 64th birthday.

The life-size bronze sculpture of the Thin Lizzy frontman had to be removed from its Harry St hang-out in the centre of Dublin in May for repairs after it was knocked to the ground and cracked.

But, as few could resist saying yesterday, the boy was back in town and ready for more dancing in the moonlight when the stature was revealed, fully restored, polished up and this time reinforced on a solid new plinth to ensure he won’t be toppled again.