Bra bunting is removed over 'danger to drivers'

RUTH Murray and staff members at her Reflections Hair and Beauty Salon in Inchicore managed to raise over €1,200 in less than a week with her innovative idea, and got dozens of other local businesses on board.

However, seven complaints by residents who found the display "offensive" led to its removal by council employees.

"I had been collecting bras for about three, four weeks from friends, clients, and the Inchicore ladies' club to make the bunting," Lucan native Ruth (47) told the Herald.

"The idea came to me when I attended a charity event for Today FM's shave or dye campaign. Last week a man handed me €200 because he was so impressed and amused by it.

"Only one person came up to me to complain saying that it was inappropriate, it was a lady who had been affected by breast cancer."

Ruth said the aim of the display was to flag up an event this weekend, when a large group of supporters will be fundraising in the street, but local TD Catherine Byrne put forward a complaint against the bunting.

"I'm surprised that the council would get someone to work overtime for something like this, surely they have more important things to do."

Fine Gail politician Ms Byrne told the Herald: "I had seven messages last Friday about the bunting so, as a public representative, I have to follow up on their calls.

"We found out that no planning permission had been given for the bras to be put on a public lightning pole.

"The traffic department said that it had to be taken down for health and safety issues as people may take off their eyes from the road or if the bunting fell on someone and caused an accident, Ruth would be liable for it.

"The bunting was always going to be returned to the salon so I think it's a bit of a storm in a teacup."

hnews@herald.ie