A WARNING LETTER has been sent from Dublin City Council calling for the giant same-sex marriage mural in Dublin city centre to be removed.
The letter was issued to artist Joe Caslin, he confirmed to TheJournal.ie.
Councillor Mannix Flynn told TheJournal.ie that the letter concerns the removal of the black-and-white paper mural over a planning issue, and is not due to the content of the mural.
Stuff like that would fall in breach of planning. It’s a listed building. As far as I know, a lot of complaints came in. They would be forwarded to planning and planning would issue a general warning letter saying it was in breach and requesting removal by a certain date. If that is not removed, a letter of enforcement would be sent out. It’s about due process.
Cllr Flynn said that there is “no question” but that the mural will have to removed.
He continued:
I’m very much a supporter for the Yes camp, and have been campaigning for a Yes vote. but nonetheless, when you see a building like this and a massive piece this size, the law is the law. If there is a laissez-faire attitude, within a short space of time you’ll see people leasing out and renting out the sides of buildings.
He added that he personally believed if the council had been approached for permission, it would not have said no.
“I think probably it is going to get into a mixed message because it is going to play into the hands of the No campaign who would see the particular artwork as [perhaps] morally dubious they might say,” added Cllr Flynn.
When it was erected, the mural – which was inspired by The Meeting on the Turret Stairs – was widely shared on social media with positive messages.
Caslin said the artwork was in support of the Yes side in the same-sex marriage referendum campaign.
There were calls from some No campaigners for it to be removed, or covered up in the lead-up to the referendum itself.
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