The makers of the new Colm Meaney film 'A Belfast Story' caused controversy today when they sent out a 'nail bomb kit' complete with balaclavas, nails, and duct tapes to film critics.
Dublin PR firm O'Herlihy Communications - who had no involvement in distributing the controversial kit to film reviewers - have said “Our only function has been to supply a press list to the film production. We had no function or any part in relation to the compilation of the press kit. We are currently considering our position on continuing our association with the film.”
British PR company Way To Blue today ended their involvement with the film's PR campaign saying "we no longer feel we can be associated with this film and will no longer be working on the publicity campaign."
One critic has dubbed the kit the "most distasteful freebie ever" and announced that as a result he would not be reviewing the film.
The film's director Nathan Todd said that the packs were double sided and were meant to illustrate the choices people needed to make between retribution and reconciliation.
"The media packs were not meant to offend or upset anyone but to demonstrate the difficult challenges facing the people and the politicians today. It was important for us to capture the weight and physicality of violence," said Todd.