‘Repeal the 8th’ mural replicas pop up across Dublin

A replica of the ‘Repeal the 8th’, which was controversially removed recently from Temple Bar, re-appeared at Blackhall Place Dublin last Wednesday morning.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has created two replicas of the heart-shaped image that was designed by Irish street artist Maser on the front ground floor windows of its building.

The original mural, which refers to the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, on the front of Project Arts Centre was removed due to complaints and a planning violation on July 25.

Mark Kelly, executive director of the ICCL, said the artwork should be seen by those it was intended to reach. “States have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity,” he said.

He said the replicas were “temporary signs” that did not require planning permission. Since the mural was removed the art has been appearing on t-shirts, caps, donuts all around the city and has become a symbol for the pro-choice movement.

The Project Arts Centre made the decision to paint over the mural after it received a warning notice from Dublin City Council Planning Department that the work is in violation of the Planning and Development Acts (2000- 2015).

The Repeal the 8th campaign recently gained further fuel when designer Anna Cosgrave developed the Repeal Project, which is a jumper-based campaign that uses outwear to give a voice to a hidden problem in Ireland. The jumpers are available to be purchased online or in the Repeal Project pop up shop in Indigo & Cloths on East Essex Street in Dublin.