Molly Malone statue could be elevated to keep her out of reach

Dublin County Council is considering changing the Molly Malone statue

Busker Tilly Cripwell launched a campaign to elevate the statue after she noticed a large number of people groping the statue.

It is a "tradition" to touch the statue's breasts for good luck, but the trend has come under fire in recent years.

Tilly Cripwell said: "What was created as a means of symbolic dedication to Molly Malone has found itself subject to endless derision, given what has criminally become a tradition: groping Molly’s breasts."

She said the trend is an "objectification and mockery" of Molly Malone.

The singer launched the 'leave Molly mAlone’ campaign last year.

Speaking about the meaning behind the campaign, Tilly said: "In such a dark, stagnant point in the history of female rights, permanent changes to Molly Malone mark a small, but crucial step in the right direction, which can only lead to further movement in this direction."

Elevating the statue will keep it out of reach of tourists, Tilly explained.

Tilly hopes they'll elevate the statue like male statues in Dublin.

She has also called to restore the colouring of the statue and add a commemorative plaque explaining her history, as well as her legacy.

She said the misogynistic trend is not welcome in today's society.

Tilly told The Independent: "I walk by the Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square every day. You don’t see people rubbing his crotch for good luck.

"When I see men and women touching the Molly Malone statue, their kids are looking at them. What example is this setting? Why is it a part of Irish culture?"