There is “no current methodology” to remove a Palestinian flag from the Spire in Dublin city centre due to the height at which it was placed, a local authority official has said.
The flag was spotted on the 120m landmark on O’Connell Street more than three months ago, with Dublin City Council saying at the time that it was “considering options” to safely remove it.
However, as of late December, the council would only say it was “reviewing this matter”.
In correspondence obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, a senior council engineer signalled it was not the first time someone placed an object on the structure. The engineer also raised concerns about future repeated attempts if it was to be somehow removed.
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On September 26th, the engineer told other Dublin City Council officials, including chief executive Richard Shakespeare, that someone had “dropped another hoop on to the Spire”.
“This time it has a flag attached to it. It’s very high up so I couldn’t get a clear look at it but I suspect it is a Palestinian flag as it seems to contain some red,” he wrote.
The engineer estimated that the flag was placed approximately 105m above ground level, and could see that it was “already drawing attention from passersby”.
“There is no current methodology in place for removing objects this high up on the Spire,” he said.
The engineer added that it might be possible to engage the services of a rope access company for an “external climb”, while also suggesting considering the feasibility of using a drone to remove the flag “in tandem”.
However, he added: “If we remove the flag then someone can attempt to repeat it. I think there needs to be wider conversations about what measures can be put in place to try stop it happening again in the future.
“For example, can the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) make this a red zone for drones, and would that have any impact?”
The council would not comment on whether a plan for the flag’s removal has been conceived. While still visible on the Spire this week, it appeared to have become somewhat worn or tangled. The council also declined to comment on any engagement with the IAA on the matter.
However, the IAA told The Irish Times that restrictions currently exist in the vicinity of the Spire for aviation safety.
“Operating a UAS [unmanned aircraft system] above the height of the spire without the request of the entity responsible, or without permission from the zone authority, is a breach of the UAS geographical zone restriction,” a spokeswoman said.
The IAA can bring summary proceedings in the District Court, where penalties can include fines of up to €5,000, six months imprisonment or both.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the flag’s placement.
When the flag was first spotted, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign said it was a “feat of acrobatics or ingenuity, or both”.
