The Office of Public Works have defended it’s decision to clean the Papal Cross in Dublin’s Phoenix Park despite the current hosepipe banin the greater Dublin area.
It is understood that a number of Dublin residents became disgruntled after footage appeared on social media showing the monument being washed ahead of the Pope’s visit this coming August.
According to The Sun Newspaper, the OPW have since released a statement defending their decision to wash the monument despite the implementation of the current hosepipe ban on residents in the region.
The Sun say the OPW had been contracted to repair and clean the monument weeks in advance of the current hosepipe ban and that all water supplies to clean the cross were collected in advance.
It is believed that a number of Dublin residents became angry at the cleaning of the monument as it was confirmed earlier this week that anyone who was found in breach of the hosepipe ban would recieve a €125 fine.
The current ban which has been implemented until the end of July could be potentially extended further as Irish Water have confirmed that water levels in the region continue to drop due to the conditions of the current heatwave.