The paint-damaged Lia Fail stone.

Tara's Lia Fail stone daubed with paint

The Lia Fail stone on the Hill of Tara has been desecrated in an overnight paint attack.

Gardai have been called to the historic site to examine the damage to the ancient stone, reputed to be an ancient coronation stone of the High Kings of Ireland.

This is the second time in recent years that the ancient stone has been vandalised, following an attack on it with a sharp implement in June 2012.