Probe into removal of landmark sculpture

Planning officials in Cork have launched an investigation into the removal of landmark public sculpture from a prominent city site.

Planning enforcement officers have issued a warning letter under Section 152 of the planning and development act to the owner and developer of the building on Watercourse Rd in Blackpool for non-compliance with a planning condition.

If follows confirmation that the 10ft by 10ft bronze sculpture of dray horses pulling a cart of kegs, installed on the gable wall of an apartment block, was a piece of public art and was installed as a condition of planning when permission was granted in 2004 for the development of the apartment block.

The individual has four weeks from the date of the letter to explain the circumstances around the sculpture’s removal.

Labour councillor Catherine Clancy, who raised concerns about the sculpture’s removal in July, welcomed the enforcement action.

“I’m hoping that this action by Cork City Council will result in this piece of public art being reinstated,” she said.

“It was a landmark in the area and was connected to the heritage of the area.

“It is something people of the area had a connection to. And now it’s been confirmed that it was public art, and it should be reinstated as soon as possible.”

The apartment block was built on a site which once formed part of the old Cork Distillery complex.

The sculpture by artist Kevin Holland, installed on the northern wall between Watercourse Rd and Blackpool bypass, was visible from one of the main roads into the city from the north.

It was commissioned by the developer and installed on the wall at his expense, with the agreement of the city council, to commemorate the heritage and history of the area.

It is similar to the Bull and Drover sculpture on nearby Madden’s Buildings, also by Mr Holland.

However, workmen in cherrypickers removed the dray horses sculpture from the building on Jul 1.

There was confusion about whether it was a piece of public art or installed as a condition of planning.

However, following an examination of the original planning file, officials have established that its installation was a condition of planning, and that it is classed as a piece of “modern public art”.

A liquidator was appointed earlier this year to the company which developed the site. Fears have been raised that the sculpture may have been removed as part of the liquidation process.

Art experts estimate the metal used in the piece could be worth €50,000.