A petition aiming to save a mural in Ennis, which depicts children suffering in war-torn Gaza, has gathered almost 1,000 signatures.
It comes as the local authority’s warning of the potential removal of the artwork in the Upper Market Street Car Park has met backlash from activists.
Fittingly, the painting is adjacent to the mural of Patrick Morrissey, who at five years of age was killed in the crossfire of a gunfight between the IRA and Black and Tans in 1921, while playing marbles with a friend.
The latest artwork, commissioned by the People of Clare Against Genocide and the Clare Palestine Solidarity Campaign, was completed by local artist Rachel MacManus in October and can be found at the rear of Cornucopia in Chapel Lane.
It depicts four children holding hands, barefoot, amid the destruction and ruin of Gaza, and is based on a real UNICEF photo but as it was erected without planning permission, its existence is now under threat.
Local activist Sarah Geraghty was involved in commissioning the works and has since started an online petition to save it, which has now gathered more than 1,000 signatures.
She says it’s of huge humanitarian and social importance, and believes it would be a great shame if it’s removed.
Clare County Council has confirmed it received a number of complaints in relation to “an unauthorised mural development” and subsequently issued the building’s owner with a warning notice.
It’s not the end of the road though, as the business can apply for retention permission, which would allow the applicant to submit a valid planning application to regularise any potential breaches of the planning code.
Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says it’s vital the mural is preserved and he believes there’s a strong opportunity for the local authority to embrace it as a major tourist attraction.
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