Monday, April 14, 2014

Graffiti mocking the Munich air disaster painted on bridge dedicated to Irish victim Liam Whelan

Mindless thugs have painted the message "Munich B*****d" on a bridge in Phibsboro dedicated to former Manchester United great Liam Whelan who died in the Munich air disaster.

Liam Whelan was one of the eight Manchester United players who died in the tragedy when aged just 22. Before his death, the Dubliner had scored an astonishing 53 goals in 98 first-team appearances with the Red Devils.

Whelan began his football career with Home Farm before making the move to Manchester. He also had four international caps with Ireland.

After a strong local campaign, the railway bridge on Fassaugh Road/Dowth Avenue junction in Cabra, Dublin 7 close to Dalymount Park was renamed in his honour. There was outrage on social media today when the message on Liam Whelan Bridge went viral. Fans of Bohemians have since cleaned up the graffiti. A statement from the club today read: "Bohemian FC officials and supporters today cleaned and covered up the disgusting graffiti on the nearby Liam Whelan Bridge.

"Liam was both a local and international legend. 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. "He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, while the railway bridge at Fassaugh Road in Cabra was renamed in his honour in 2006. Both are just a short walk from Dalymount Park.

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