Savita mural temporarily removed so messages can be preserved

The Savita mural beside the Bernard Shaw pub has been temporarily removed so its messages can be preserved.

The artwork appeared in Dublin's Portobello the day before the referendum on the eighth amendment took place on May 25. Designed by street artist Aches, the mural depicted the Galway dentist with the word 'YES' across her face. Soon after, members of the public began leaving touching messages on the mural saying they were "sorry it took so long" and that Ireland would "never forget" Savita. The mural was removed from the Portobello site today so it can be preserved and its messages digitised by Dublin City Libraries and Archives. RTE reports that Aches will be touching up the mural before it is moved to its new home next week - the right hand side of the building overlooking Eatyard beside the Bernard Shaw. The pub took to Instagram today to say that the mural had been removed to relocate it somewhere more "safe." They wrote:

"Just to let everyone know, we will be moving the Aches mural of Savita to somewhere a little more safe, permanent, but still in view of the public tomorrow morning. "We've been in touch with Together for Yes about preserving all the notes you have left. Thank you to everyone who left flowers, wrote notes, lit candles, and left messages. "You have left a beautiful tribute."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjalloOAnN2/?hl=en&taken-by=thebernardshaw Savita passed away in Galway University Hospital in 2012 after contracting sepsis while miscarrying. She had been denied a termination by doctors and told that Ireland was "a Catholic country." Following Ireland's 'Yes' vote to repeal the eighth amendment on May 25, Savita's father, Andanappa Yalagi, said that he was "very happy" and that he had "got justice" for his daughter. He told the Hindustan Times:

“We’ve got justice for Savita. What happened to her will not happen to any other family. "I have no words to express my gratitude to the people of Ireland at this historic moment."

It is estimated that over 1,200 messages were left on Aches mural in the days of and following the referendum. Dublin City Libraries and Archives will preserve these messages by photographing them and adding them to the library's online digital collection. The mural is expected to arrive to its new home early next week.