The statue of Molly Malone on Dublin’s Suffolk Street has been vandalised for the third time in two months. 

Green writing with the words ‘Please don’t, T.Y.’ has been painted across the monument’s chest. 

It appears to be a reference asking people not to touch the breasts of the statue, which is a popular tradition among tourists. 

Gardaí have said they have not yet received any reports of vandalism.

One tourist said it’s a “shame” that someone would put graffiti on “a historic statue”. 

“But I agree with the message that it sends,” she said. 

The Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street vandalised with the words, 'Please don't T.Y.', 17/09/2023. Image via James Wilson for Newstalk.

A local man said he doesn’t agree with the idea you shouldn’t touch Molly Malone’s breasts. 

“I wasn’t really surprised [by the vandalism],” he said. “[But] I don’t think, really, men look at [the statue] and go up and grope her. 

“It’s a fun thing for tourists, I always thought.” 

This is the third time in two months the statue has been vandalised.

The vandalised Molly Malone statue. Image by Stephanie Rohan.

Black paint appeared on the chest of the statue last August and green paint with the words ‘7 Years Bad Luck’ appeared on the chest a week later. 

The Molly Malone statue was first unveiled on Grafton Street in 1988 to celebrate Dublin’s millennium. 

It was moved to Suffolk Street in 2014 to accommodate the new Luas track, at which red paint was thrown at the statue.