A giant mural in Dublin calling for the eighth amendment to be repealed has been painted over.
The Charities Regulator ordered the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar to take it down, as the artwork was considered “political activity”.
The centre, which is a registered charity, was told it could have its funding pulled if it didn't comply.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties says the issue raises very serious concerns for freedom of expression.
Its Director, Liam Herrick, said "the threat to charitable status is a new departure and is very worrying indeed for the principles of freedom of expression and association".
He believes there is a "broader issue in Dublin at the moment with regard to censorship of public art."
Liam Herrick has called for a discussion about the importance of public art and street art.
Cian O'Brien, Artistic Director at the Project Arts Centre, said "you can paint over a mural, but you can't paint over an issue".
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I am calling this action today defiant compliance"<br><br>A statement from our Artistic Director Cian O'Brien following today's removal of <a href="https://twitter.com/MaserArt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaserArt</a>'s mural. <a href="https://t.co/ScvMu3OxxO">pic.twitter.com/ScvMu3OxxO</a></p>— Project Arts Centre (@projectarts) <a href="https://twitter.com/projectarts/status/988417894580146178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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