Clare memorial for Spanish Civil War volunteer vandalised with anti-communism slogans

Michael Russell died in combat in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, fighting Francisco Franco's fascist regime.

Gardaí at the scene of the suspected vandalism.

A memorial dedicated to an Irish man killed in action fighting for the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War has been vandalised in Ennis, Co Clare. 

Gardaí have been notified of the suspected act of vandalism which has been described as "totally careless, and totally cowardly".