Man remanded in custody over alleged £10,000 damage to Belfast’s Big Fish

A 44-year-old man has been remanded in custody after Belfast Big Fish damage estimated at more than £10,000 was detailed during a hearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

Peter Luke Smith, who is of no fixed abode, appeared before the court on Monday following an incident at the landmark sculpture at Donegall Quay in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The court heard that ceramic tiles surrounding the left eye of the Big Fish were smashed during the incident.

Smith faces a charge of criminal damage along with three counts of possessing an item with intent to damage property.

Belfast Big Fish damage estimated at more than £10,000

Police were called to Donegall Quay at around 12.30am on Sunday, 20 September, following a report that someone was damaging the well-known sculpture.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard that a member of the public witnessed Smith allegedly using a long-handled object to damage the Big Fish and detained him until police arrived at the scene.

A PSNI officer told the court that a backpack in Smith’s possession was found to contain a hammer and a small hatchet.

A sledgehammer was also discovered in a nearby bush as police officers assessed the damage caused to the sculpture.

The court was told that the cost of repairing the damage has been estimated at more than £10,000.

Images of the sculpture following the incident showed extensive damage around its left eye, with a number of the distinctive ceramic tiles broken or missing.

Court told Smith had flown to Belfast

The court heard that Smith had flown to Belfast during the previous week and had spent several days staying in Airbnb accommodation.

Defence barrister Garrett O’Kane said his client was accepting the offences but had provided no explanation for his actions.

The court also heard that Smith is under the care of psychiatric services in the Peterborough area.

Police opposed Smith being released on bail, citing concerns over the risk of further offending and the possibility that he could fail to return to Northern Ireland.

Bail refused at Belfast Magistrates’ Court

District Judge Steven Keown refused bail and remanded Smith in custody until 19 October.

The judge described the alleged circumstances of the case as an “appalling set of facts” and referred to Smith having little or no connection to Northern Ireland.

Smith will therefore remain in custody ahead of his next scheduled court appearance.

One of Belfast’s best-known landmarks

The Big Fish, which is also known as the Salmon of Knowledge, has become one of Belfast city centre’s most recognisable pieces of public art.

Created by Belfast-born artist John Kindness, the approximately 10-metre-long sculpture was installed at Donegall Quay in 1999.

Its exterior is covered by ceramic tiles featuring photographs, newspaper cuttings, historical documents and other material telling parts of Belfast’s history.

Located close to the River Lagan and the Lagan Weir, the sculpture has become a popular attraction for visitors to the city and is frequently used as one of the visual symbols of Belfast’s waterfront.

The artwork also reflects the significance of the River Lagan to the development of the city.

The latest incident has left visible damage around the sculpture’s left eye, with the estimated repair bill now said to exceed £10,000.