Cork City Council remove mural and threaten to fine Ógra Shinn Féin

Despite being hugely in debt, removing murals commemorating Cork’s history seems high on the agenda of those in City Hall.

That was the message clearly shown when Cork City Council recently removed tributes painted by Ógra Shinn Féin to the former TD and Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney, and the Roll of Honour of Fianna Éireann, Chorcai.


In a shocking display of disrespect, the murals that had been painted on a derelict building in the Lee Fields were cited by the Recreation, Amenity and Culture Department as “defacement” under the Litter Pollution Act.

Terence MacSwiney died after 76 days on hunger strike in Brixton Prison, after being arrested in Cork having been found in possession of a cipher key. The four Fianna died in the struggle for Irish independence between the years 1917 and 1924.

Despite the wall having previously been covered by graffiti, no effort was ever made to refurbish it until the murals were painted. The vandalised portions of the wall remained untouched by the “renovation works”.

Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O’ Brien said,

“I find it incredible that the Council has taken this action. This was an attempt by local youths to enhance the area through the celebration of those who made the greatest sacrifice for the people of Cork and this country. To say that it amounts to defacement beggars belief.”