‘In-your-face’ sex shop near new children’s hospital site
SINN Féin senator Máire Devine and Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh have led a protest outside a sex shop in Dublin after a large photo of a scantily clan woman appeared in its window.
The Sweet Sensations shop is around the corner from St James’s Hospital where the National Children’s Hospital is currently being constructed.
Senator Devine said it was difficult enough for parents having to explain to their children that Sweet Sensations did not, in fact, sell sweets without the added ‘in-your-face’ image.
‘This is not a moral argument. I’ve made that very clear,’ she said.
‘I’m from James’s Street and some of the ladies there were absolutely distraught about it, that they would have to pass it going to church or bringing the kids to school.
‘There are two primary schools and one secondary school nearby and children shouldn’t have to walk past that.’
While the shop has been operating in the area for a number of years, the advertisement in question has only been in situ for a week.
‘It’s hard enough with kids trying to get their parents to bring them in to get some sweets. This [the advertisement] is not discreet, it’s in your face,’ she said.
‘We’re trying to improve James’s Street and this is right on the main tourist line.
‘This is a residential area and this stand-alone image of a woman half-naked, lying back provocatively...’
Senator Devine added: ‘I’ve nothing against sex shops, [for people] to buy or whatever they want to do.’
Cllr Ní Dhálaigh was Dublin’s Lord Mayor in 2015-2016, the first Sinn Féin councillor to hold the post.
She was mayor during the 1916 Centenary commemorations.
Attempts to contact Sweet Sensations were unsuccessful yesterday.
Also two primary schools nearby