Man accused of £10k attack on Belfast's Big Fish statue
Big Fish, the gleaming 10‑metre ceramic installation that crowns Belfast’s Donegall Quay, has become a beloved landmark since its debut. Its colourful scales and playful form invite tourists and locals alike to pause by the River Lagan and contemplate the city’s modern identity.
Over a weekend in early September, the sculpture suffered a shocking act of vandalism. A man armed with a hatchet, hammer and even a sledgehammer battered the ceramic tiles around the left eye, shattering the surface and leaving more than £10,000 in repair costs. Witnesses say the attacker wielded a long‑handled tool before being restrained by a passerby until police arrived.
The accused, 44‑year‑old Peter Luke Smith, was taken into custody and charged with criminal damage and possession of an item with intent to damage property. In Belfast Magistrates’ Court he admitted the offences but offered no motive, and a judge ordered his continued detention pending a later hearing, citing his extensive record and the risk of re‑offending.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the vulnerability of public art. While the Big Fish remains a symbol of Belfast’s cultural resurgence, the damage underscores the need for greater vigilance and community stewardship to protect such works from future assaults.