Warning for Munster graffiti taggers as ‘artist’ nabbed after chase with Gardaí

A man has been arrested after being caught vandalising private property with spray cans in Limerick. Community Policing officers caught this so-called ‘graffiti artist’ dead to rights after he was found painting a wall in Limerick city with his own mark, ‘Pobre’ (a Spanish word translating to ‘poor’ or ‘poor person’.) This type of vandalism is called ‘tagging’, where delinquents will add a graffiti-style signature – or a ‘tag’ – to public spaces, often to claim territory or for a short-lived ego boost. On many occasions, actual artists apply for special permission or are paid large sums to paint full-scale murals in cities, as we’ve seen time and time again on Leeside. But anyone who adds graffiti to property they don’t own is breaking the law – and it’s clear this chancer in Limerick was well aware he was in the wrong. After being spotted, he dropped his cans and bolted away from patrolling officers but was soon chased down and arrested. Graffiti like this is often charged under the Criminal Damage Act, which – in extreme cases – can land you with 10 years of jail time or a fine of €10,000. On most occasions however, the matter is...