The Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar has been forced to remove a Repeal The 8^th Mural following a warning notice from Dublin City Council Planning Department stating that the work is in violation of the Planning & Development Acts (2000-2015).

The artwork was commissioned by TheHunRealIssues.com; a new website and social stream aiming to politically mobilise the women of Ireland. Completed by street artist Maser, the work received a few dozen official complaints but a petition to protect the mural was signed by over 3,000 people. According to Project Arts, they received over 200 letters of support and only 50 complaints. Commenting on the artwork, Project Arts Centre Artistic Director, Cian O’Brien, said:

“We have had an astonishing response to this artwork by Maser and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the conversation around this important topic. 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. This artwork occurs in the context of many in the artistic programme. It is the first time Project has been presented with a planning notice for a painted artwork on the front of our current building. Project Arts Centre is complying with the planning notice and has removed this artwork. We look forward to working through official channels with Maser and The HunReal Issues to explore the possibility of re-installing this work as soon as possible.”

Twitter users are disappointed by the decision to remove the artwork.

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

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

Statues of Mary in half the polling stations in the country, but we can't have #repealthe8th art in Temple Bar. https://t.co/Dxp4qmqIYb — Ronan Burtenshaw (@ronanburtenshaw) July 25, 2016

#repealthe8th will be our children's Magdalen Laundries. Did it really happen? and so recently? And how could people know and not speak out?

— Deirdre Sullivan (@propermiss) July 25, 2016

The anti-choice crowd used property law against the Project. They've been treating Irish women as property for decades. #repealthe8th — Stephen Bourke (@AnBurcach) July 25, 2016

Here's a hint. If the artists are talking about something: listen. Art is where change begins. It can't be stopped. #repealthe8th

— marah saria griff (@griffski) July 25, 2016

Hey @MaserArt & @projectarts - make the Repeal the 8th artwork available for download & we can all print it out & stick in our windows. — Liam Geraghty (@Liam_Geraghty) July 25, 2016

When rules are enforced only when one doesn't like the message that's censorship.#repealthe8th https://t.co/Xu2IRf5uf0

— Stephanie Fleming (@Stephanenny) July 25, 2016

Gutted for the @MaserArt mural being removed. You can paint over our murals but it won't kill the need to #repealthe8th, or growing support — Gal Pal Sharon™ (@sharmander_says) July 25, 2016

This art became immortal the first time it was shared on the net. Anti-choicers have already failed.#repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/pl7FgIUPuo

— Ciarán O'Brien (@Sarklor) July 25, 2016

Image via Twitter

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