A MURAL in Ennis honouring Palestine has come under threat after Clare County Council received a planning permission complaint.
The mural, which depicts children running barefoot among the ruins of Gaza, is in Market Street carpark in Ennis, and was completed earlier this year. It is understood that the council have written to the owner of the building it is on, notifying them that it has received complaints relating to an alleged unauthorised mural development.
The mural was commissioned by the People of Clare Against Genocide (POCAG) and the Clare branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC).
The national chairperson of the IPSC Zoe Lawlor, reacted to the notification saying, “who would complain about this mural? It is a monument to human rights and resilience, and against the genocide happening in Gaza. The mural has been widely praised and tourists have sought it out to get photos with it. Senator Frances Black visited it just recently.”
Ms Lawlor, who is urging Clare County Council to ask the building’s owners to apply for retrospective or retention planning permission, continued, “I understand Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle and other councillors are liaising with officials on this and I hope the officials will see sense and resolve this without interfering with the mural. The people of Ireland overwhelmingly support Palestine so they undoubtedly would want the council to reach a sensible resolution. An online petition by POCAG was signed by hundreds of people in just a couple of days. Make no mistake, we will fight any decision to remove our mural.”
She added, “The council, both elected members and council officials, have been very supportive of the people of Gaza since the current genocide began. The council passed motions calling for a ceasefire, supporting the boycott divestment and sanctions movement, calling for the Palestinian flag to be flown outside the council offices and for the introduction of an Ethical Procurement Policy (EPP) to exclude companies profiting from the illegal settlements on Palestinian land. Council officials implemented those decisions promptly and efficiently. Clare was the fourth council to propose an EPP but was the first one to complete the whole process, that is testament to their dedication and empathy.”
Clare County Council told The Clare Echo in a statement, “The Planning Authority of Clare County Council received complaints relating to an alleged unauthorised mural development at the Market Street Car Park. Following an investigation a letter was issued in respect of same in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The file is now active so the local authority cannot comment on the specifics of same.
“It is worth noting that once a complaint of unauthorised development is received by the council it must be investigated and procedure followed as set out in legislation. In line with the provisions of the Planning and Development Act the recipient of such a warning letter has a period within which they can respond to the Council. The council at the end of this response period will then consider the most appropriate action to be taken, if any, having regard to what is required under legislation.”
