AN ADULT shop has been ordered to remove images of female models dressed in skimpy outfits from their window display amid complaints that they are "objectifying women".

Private Moments, on Dorset Street in Dublin City Centre, has sparked controversy by displaying two large posters in their windows of women dressed in costumes, reminiscent of singer Britney Spears in her video for debut song 'One More Time'.

Dublin City Council has issued Private Moments, which markets itself as an "adult store", with an enforcement notice, ordering them to remove the posters under Section 154 Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2016.

Dublin City Councillor Ciaran Cuffe, who is running in the European Elections, welcomed the news and claimed that the images were inappropriate.

Expand Close Private Moments pictured this week Picture: Arthur Carron / Facebook

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He told Independent.ie: “It is just generally wrong to objectify women and this shop is beside children’s homes and a primary school.”

Cllr Cuffe first came across the display at the end of October 2018. Several months later he made a complaint to the Planning Enforcement Section, which then issued the enforcement notice.

On Tuesday night, the business' window display featured different images of women. There was no sign of the images which sparked the compliant.

He said that the use of planning regulations showed the sign was not authorised and Mr Cuffe hopes this will set a precedent for future window displays at Private Moments.

Mr Cuffe explained he thinks the shop may now have to apply for permission for similar signs, which may then be rejected.

“The key phrase is ‘whether or not this is appropriate for a high street location’. With this in mind, I hope it wouldn’t be allowed.

“The advert is clearly attached to a premise that calls itself an adult shop.

“There are real concerns around the area about the close proximity to residential areas and a primary school,” he said. Dorset Street is one of the main arteries into the city centre, with huge volumes of traffic and massive footfall in the area every single day.

Cllr Cuffe also said that he thinks there should be stricter planning requirements for businesses in residential areas.

Mr Cuffe said: “There is a need for stricter regulations. We have seen a lot of new, dubious businesses on main streets around the city and I don’t believe that these are appropriate in a residential community.”

Dublin City Council said they “cannot comment on an ongoing planning enforcement case.”

Private Moments was contacted by Independent.ie for comment, but there was no answer. We called up to the premises yesterday, but it appeared to be closed.

Online Editors