A VOLUNTEER group who organise weekly clean ups on Mary Elmes Bridge have expressed their disappointment that Cork's newest footbridge has been vandalised.

Despite only being opened in July, Mary Elmes Bridge has been frequently targeted by wanton littering and has now been graffitied. 

Speaking to The Echo, Jason J. Fisher an American Cork resident who set up the cleaning group, said he hoped city council would rectify the unsightly graffiti as soon as possible. 

"It's disheartening, of course, to see the Mary Elmes Bridge vandalised.

"Our group meets once a week and spends time to help make sure that public space can be enjoyed by all.

"Hopefully, the Cork City Council will be able to address this issue in the coming days," he said. 

"It's regrettable to hear that the bridge has been vandalised.

"Instances like this and the littering which has occurred are teething problems but it's important that we increase our vigilance and make sure that this doesn't happen again," he said.

Mr Boyle has previously called for segregated bins to be established across the city to tackle the issue of littering and said that he intends to raise this again at a local area meeting on Monday. 

Mary Elmes Bridge, which opened in July cost €5 million and pays tribute to 'Ireland’s Oskar Schindler'.

Cork-born Mary Elmes was a key figure in saving many Jewish children during the Holocaust.

The bridge was officially opened last September by people who were saved from concentration camps by the heroic figure.