A steel sculpture standing over 30 feet in the village of Ballindine on the Mayo/Galway border is causing concern among local residents. A second public meeting is to be held this week with members of Mayo County Council and the sculptor attending.
The piece of art is the work of Mr Cathal McCarty, a Castlebar sculptor. His work was selected by the council following a national competition to commission 11 pieces of sculpture for various locations in Co Mayo. The local authority is funding the works commissioned through what is called "the 1 per cent Art Scheme" devised by the Department of the Environment.
The piece is designed to commemorate the contribution of local man Mr Martin Donoghue who founded the Disabled Drivers of Ireland Association and was an accomplished musician. Local people believed the work would be made of bronze and stand 2 feet high. It was to show two hands playing an accordion.
However, when construction began last week, it became obvious that this was not what was anticipated.
Instead of bronze, the sculpture is steel. It stands over 30 feet and is painted yellow, blue and red. The "stairs" stretching up to what is believed to be the accordion is graduated and rises into the sky at the junction of the Miltown and Irishtown roads.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat McHugh last week called on Mayo County Manager Mr Des Mahon to cease construction work because of local opposition.
"People believe that this structure is a potential health and safety hazard. People leaving public houses at night, or young people might be tempted to climb up the 30 foot arms of steel.
"Because of the design this is possible and obviously very dangerous. In addition I believe the structure is visually obtrusive at this location. It amazes me that planning permission for houses is refused so often in Mayo on the grounds of 'visually obtrusive', and yet that this structure is being erected by Mayo County Council.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I am worried about the safety hazards that it presents," Mr McHugh explained.
The council has now stopped work on the sculpture.
Although some local people have said they are getting used to it and even beginning to feel positive about it, the majority believes it is too large for the place it occupies.
A public meeting to debate the sculpture project will take place tomorrow.