Irish tourist accused of defacing Rome's Colosseum

CNN ^ | 26th September 2020 | Lianne Kolirin and Livia Borghese

[nickcarraway]

An Irish tourist has been accused of vandalizing Rome's Colosseum after security staff spotted him allegedly carving his initials into the ancient Italian structure.

The Carabinieri police said the 32-year-old man was caught by the Colosseum's private security on Monday and immediately reported to officers.

The man's two initials, about 6 centimeters (2 inches) high, were said to have been carved with a metal point on a pillar of the first floor of the 2,000-year-old monument.

[nickcarraway]

Reverse colonization?

[Red Badger]

Was he drunk?.....................

[Lockbar]

Feed him to the lions!!!

[Sirius Lee]

Was he drunk?.....................

Rhetorical

[jerod]

This is likely the very first time that this has EVER happened... Doh!

[woodbutcher1963]

Did you miss the part about:

“Irish Tourist”

[tet68]

Veni Vedi Graphiti?

[bagadonutz]

Instead of his initials - if he would have carved “F the Police” or “BLM!” then all would be forgiven.

[glennaro]

Sounds like a "hold muh beer and watch this!" moment
or in this case: "Tieni la mia birra e guarda questo!"

[glennaro]

Note: Irish was a bit much in the translation: “Coinnigh mo bheoir agus féach ar seo!”

[libertylover]

When I was stationed in England you could still walk out to the stones of Stonehenge where future Labour Party and Democrat Party voters by the dozen were busy carving their initials into the stones.

[Sans-Culotte]

I hope he faces a stiff penalty. Reminds me of the guy who was at a party at a museum where they had some of those Chinese terra-cotta warrior statues on loan. The asshole broke off one of the fingers to keep as a souvenir. People need to learn not to mess with other people’s stuff.

[Fresh Wind]

And yet ancient graffiti in places like Pompeii are cherished and preserved.

[j.havenfarm]

My son took Latin in high school. I learned that “v” has the “w” sound in Classical Latin. So, phonetically, Caesar’s famous report, as pronounced, would be “Weenie Weedie Weechi.” Kind of takes the majesty out of it.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I remember seeing the Rosetta Stone on open display at the British Museum, close enough to touch it. There was a security guard next to it. Now it's behind a Plexiglas barrier. I saw the Night Watch at the Riksmuseum in 1975 were it was being restored, after having been attacked by a madman.

[Sans-Culotte]

That reminds me of the guy who attacked Michelangelo's Pieta in Rome with a large hammer. We can't have nice things out in the open with these assholes running wild.

[ArtDodger]

Know how you can tell an Irishman is gay?
He prefers women over whiskey! :/

[Truthoverpower]

I thought this story is actually funny because I carve the date and political and other happenings entities hundred-year-old would post all the time on mountain bike rides here in the greater Bay Area

One of my favorites is “11-816. republic saved ! “

but of course nobody will ever see those except for me and nobody gives a crap but I do think it’s funny that this guy tried to do it on such a incredible old and public place

[martin_fierro]

♫ "Oh Irish I carved an ancient Rome arena..." ♫

[nickcarraway]

You mean trails?