LAST UPDATE | 4 hrs ago

A 44-YEAR-OLD MAN has been charged after a public sculpture in Belfast city centre was damaged in the early hours of this morning.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said “significant damage” has been caused to the left eye of the sculpture.

The Big Fish sculpture is a 10-metre statue of a salmon beside the river Lagan which was commissioned in 1999.

File photo of the Big Fish sculpture, a 10-metre statue of a salmon beside the river Lagan. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The PSNI said it received a report at around 12.30am that someone had been seen causing damage to the sculpture in the Donegall Quay area.

“Officers attended the scene, where it was noted that significant damage had been caused to the left eye of the sculpture,” it said.

A 44-year-old man has been arrested for damaging the big fish in Belfast.

At around 12:30am police responded to reports of a man damaging the Salmon.

Extensive damage was caused to its left eye.

He was arrested for damage to the sculpture and possession of an offensive weapon… pic.twitter.com/7TgjM9bGRt

— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) September 20, 2026

A man was located nearby and arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. 

He has since been charged and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.