Work in Dun Laoghaire on the site where a replica fountain is due to be erected to replace one destroyed by the IRA in 1981 has stopped after construction workers received threats. The fountain commemorates Queen Victoria's visit in 1901.
Workmen were approached by individuals and told if they didn't stop work "men in balaclavas would deal with them". The construction company employing them decided to cease work indefinitely on the project.
Mr Donal Marren, of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and chairman of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, told The Irish Times of his regret that work on the Victoria Fountain had to be suspended.
"This is deeply upsetting to us all. An exact cast-iron replica of the original fountain is now completed and ready for delivery to Dún Laoghaire Harbour. We have planned to unveil the newly-restored fountain on December 15th," said Mr Marren.
"Somebody has influence and knows these people. I would ask them to dissuade them from threats and to appreciate it [the monument\] for its beauty."
He continued: "We thought we had gone past all of that. It's a beautiful piece of street furniture from the past, when Dún Laoghaire was in its bloom at the end of the 19th century."
The construction company wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons.
Built to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria to Kingstown (as Dún Laoghaire was known) in 1901, it was damaged by members of the IRA in 1981. Several men were jailed for the damage caused to it.
The statue was demolished and its site remained vacant.
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council is financing the restoration costing €400,000, and arranged for the statue to be recast in McFarlane's foundry where it was made in Glasgow. It will be positioned on its original site at the entrance to Dún Laoghaire Harbour .
The board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company voted unanimously in 2000 to restore the fountain as part of the programme of upgrading the harbour.
It was grant-aided by the Heritage Council as a project of historic and architectural importance.
Gardaí are investigating the intimidation.