Updated 4.41 pm

The front of The George after the graffiti was wiped clear at 11.15am Source: TheJournal.ie

GARDAÍ HAVE LAUNCHED an investigation after one of Dublin’s oldest and best known gay bars was defaced with homophobic graffiti this morning.

News of the vandalism carried out on the front of The George pub on George’s Street first emerged shortly after 10am this morning.

However, the photo showing the graffiti was originally taken by Twitter user Gary Shaw at roughly 6.20am, some four hours previous.

Chalk had been used to cover the front of the premises with homophobic words and Nazi symbols.

The graffiti was subsequently wiped clear from the walls of the pub.

Manager of The George Darragh Flynn said staff were “shocked” by what happened but insisted that the bar will be remaining open to celebrate the second anniversay of the marriage equality referendum.

“We are shocked and disheartened to see our building vandalised, especially with the anniversary of the equality vote this weekend. At times like these our community comes together in support like it always does, and we won’t let this ruin us celebrating this weekend’s anniversary,” Flynn said.

Local area business group Dublin Town was notified and a cleaning group was dispatched to remove all trace of the graffiti after 11am.

“We have staff on seven days a week to deal with things like this,” a spokesman for Dublin Town told TheJournal.ie.

We let the management in the Mercantile Group know (the entity which owns The George) and we have a cleaning crew down there now.

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It’s understood that The George has a sophisticated CCTV system in place covering both its front and the laneway adjacent to the pub entrance.

“Gardaí are investigating an incidence of suspected criminal damage which was reported to us this morning at a premises on George’s Street,” a Garda spokesperson told TheJournal.ie.

Inquiries are ongoing. No arrests have yet been made.

Flynn also thanked the public for their kind wishes follwoing the incident.

“We would like to now focus on the positives of today, that one homophobic act has resulted in an overwhelming amount of messages of solidarity and offers of assistance. It has truly brightened our hearts to receive such love and support,” he said.

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy