Accused memorial vandals deny 'damage'

Four religious men accused of desecrating a Brisbane war memorial by pulling a sword off a crucifix must return to court next week.

James Joseph Dowling, his son Franz, Andrew William Paine and Tim Webb are fighting a charge of wilful damage for allegedly removing the six-foot blade and refashioning it into a plough.

James Dowling and Webb spoke about the alleged vandalism in police interviews following the incident on Ash Wednesday this year.

The said they had a "higher permission" to commit the act.

But during a hearing at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Dowling said no damage had been caused because removing the sword had "improved" the monument.

The men, who are self-represented, will return to the court on Monday.