Removal of Maser's Repeal the 8th Mural causes outrage

Project Arts Centre has been a hot-bed for Repeal the 8th controversy this last week, all because of a seemingly innocuous mural depicting a Repeal the 8th heart.

There has been an astonishing response to the mural, with the Centre receiving 50 complaints, but also receiving more than 200 messages of support, with this support continuing to grow until the ruling this morning.

TDs, Senators, the Union of Students Ireland, Dublin City Councillors, charities and public figures have also shown their support for the mural and Project Arts Centre. It was the first time the Centre had ever received a planning notice for a painted artwork on its wall. A petition, signed by over 3,000 people, had been set up by The HunReal Issues site to support the mural.

Despite the huge support for the mural, Dublin City Council warned the Project Arts Centre that "the work is in violation of the Planning & Development Acts (2000-2015)" and that it had to be removed.

According to Dublin City Council, murals and other artworks "require planning permission when applied to the external part of any structure."

The decision to remove the mural has outraged the Repeal the 8th community, inspiring them to express their fury on Twitter:

Countless problems with things in their charge in town, yet somehow the Council make a mural a priority? Arseholes https://t.co/o1NNsAIP26

— Richie McCormåck (@RichieMcCormack) July 25, 2016

Planning permission issue, while technically valid, is a red herring. A mural for anything else would still be there https://t.co/8PKEq3ng11

— Foofy Hyde (@andgoseek) July 25, 2016

I can't put into words how angry this makes me. Absolutely no justification whatsoever. Sick of it. #repealthe8th https://t.co/qkvXjlJZ3Q

— Leanne Woodfull ♀ (@LeanneWoodfull) July 25, 2016

You need planning permission for paint now? ??#repealthe8th

— Angry Tweets Aoife (@aoifemrtn) July 25, 2016

The Director of Project Arts Centre, Cian O'Brien, thanked those who had supported the mural and contributed to the conversation saying: "I in no way wish to censor or silence an artist; I respect the legal position that the DCC Planning Office is in and the parameters within which they are working."

Although, they have complied with the planning notice, all may not be lost for the mural as the Centre is looking to work "through official channels with Maser and The HunReal Issues to explore the possibility of re-installing this work as soon as possible."

It will be interesting to see if the Centre will succeed in reinstating the mural.

Even if they don't, like Sarah Pierce, Chair of the Board of Project Arts Centre said this morning: "It is a reminder that art matters. Art summons us to engage with the issues of our day, which this work does admirably. It is a creative, generative example of what it means to care about the society we live in."

And like the actress Tara Flynn recently told Hot Press, with "every attempt to silence Repeal The Eight, it only makes the message stronger", and if this one is removed others will likely appear to take its place.