Controversial video is shelved by shops

December 1993

Wexford video shops have joined the general reaction to the Jamie Bulger trial in England by removing the film ‘Child’s Play 3’ from the shelves, although some are still making it available.

The film about a killer doll which comes to life emerged as an issue after the trial when it was revealed that one of the young accused many have watched it three weeks before the murder of the young boy.

A railway line killing in which the doll is spattered with blue paint is one of the incidents featured in the film which had a worrying resonance with the real-life murder.

While local video shops stress that they have always strictly operated the over-18 rating of the film, it appears that a sizable number of Wexford children may also have seen the film.

‘It seemed to be very popular with 12- and 13-year-olds,’ said a salesperson at Kinsella’s in St. Peter’s Square, ‘although we never gave it out to anyone under 18#.

XtraVision reacted to the video revelation by sending a memo to all branches around the country, instructing them to remove the film from their lists.

‘We no longer have it for hire, but I have to say, it’s not the worst I’ve seen,’ said a sales representative in one of the Wexford XtraVision branches.

Larry Kinsella’s removed ‘Child’s Play 3’ from the shelves but anyone over 18 can still get it if they ask, while The Club at South Main Street has removed it completely.

A sales assistant there said she saw it and really didn’t think it was that bad.