A Palestinian flag continues to fly atop Dublin's tallest monument, with authorities saying removing it is too dangerous and costly.
The flag appeared in September last year atop the 120-meter-high The Spire of Dublin monument, on O'Connell Street. It has remained there for seven months, with no one claiming responsibility for its placement and the mystery of how it was placed remains.
City authorities have considered several options for removing the flag, including using climbing ropes, "special ladders" and a giant 300-ton crane. But all options have been rejected as too dangerous, too expensive or useless.
According to an engineer who reported these estimates to the city council, even if the flag is removed, someone could put up another one very quickly.
"Someone could come again and plant another flag on top of the Spire," he was quoted as saying in a report by The Irish Times.
The flag is located about 105 meters above the ground and is connected to a metal circle. The stainless steel structure of the monument is very difficult to reach from the ground, and it is suspected that the flag may have been placed by a drone.
From street level, the flag is often difficult to see because it is blown away by the wind. However, according to media reports, many people who have noticed it have expressed support for the symbol.
Ireland is one of the European Union countries that has most strongly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomed the flag's placement on social media, calling it an "acrobatic or ingenious achievement."
The monument where the flag is located was built in 2003 and is officially called the “Monument of Light.” It is located opposite the General Post Office Dublin, a historic site associated with the Irish Rebellion of 1916.
