Football fans undo work of vandals at memorial bridge

Civic-minded football fans have undone the work of vandals at a bridge dedicated to an Irish footballer killed in the 1958 Munich air disaster.

Dubliner Liam Whelan was 22 when he and 20 others died in the airplane crash as Manchester United flew back from a European Cup match in February 1958.

The railway bridge on Fassaugh Rd-Dowth Avenue, near Whelan’s Phibsboro home, was renamed for the Irish international in 2006, and a plaque was unveiled by Whelan’s teammate, Bobby Charlton.

Yesterday, the words ‘LFC’ and ‘Munich bastard’ were found sprayed on the bridge. However, fans from nearby League of Ireland club Bohemians FC spent hours yesterday evening attempting to undo the damage.

“Liam was both a local and international legend,” a statement on the club’s Facebook page reads.

“Everyone at Bohs echoes the unanimous condemnation that someone could carry out such a thoughtless and hurtful act, particularly as members of his family still live locally.

“A Cabra man and Ireland international, Whelan was one of 21 people killed in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster as Manchester United made a refuelling stop en route home from a European Cup tie in Belgrade.”

According to thescore.ie, a local councillor said it is standard practice for offensive vandalism to be removed “within 24 hours”.