Mayor takes Sophie home to bed
The large poster showed a naked Sophie advertising Opium perfume as part of a controversial window display at Ward’s pharmacy in the heart of the town.
Independent mayor Ray Collins said he was inundated with calls from concerned citizens who pleaded with him to get Sophie covered.
And after he went for bust to rid the town of the naked model, he decided to take the poster home to his bed.
He admits his wife mightn’t be very happy with Sophie’s arrival in the marital bedroom, but it looks like she’s staying for Christmas regardless.
“I don’t know what my wife is going to say about this. I really hope Sophie can stay and I might even bring her on a tour of the county, if she can get some clothes on,” he said.
Mr Collins said Sophie’s poster might also be placed under the Christmas tree for a few days.
After an outcry from some townspeople, the model’s breasts had been covered with a sign that read “by order of the mayor”.
Then the poster was dropped from Ward’s window to make way for more festive decorations before the mayor saved the day again.
“We were looking for somewhere to put Sophie for Christmas because she needed a bit of a break.
“So the mayor asked to take her home and we agreed. I just hope he can part with her in a few weeks,” said pharmacist Padraig Ward.
Mr Ward has also agreed a deal with an advertising agency in Britain that will see a naked man joining Sophie on the front window in January.
“There’s a new fragrance called M7 that uses a naked man in advertisements, and I’m getting that poster to keep the women of Ballina happy.
“We have to keep things equal,” he said.
