PICS: Exclusive photos of Ben Bulben No sign

Controversy has erupted today over a large "No" sign that has been placed on the northern side of Ben Bulben.

A group called Sligo for Life spent the morning erecting the sign, which refers to Ireland's upcoming referendum on removing the Eighth Amendment from the constitution. The group is campaigning for the retention of the Eighth Amendment. Photos from the scene, taken by Fiachra Cunningham, reveal the size and prominence of the sign. Another photo reveals that the message is clear even from some distances. Earlier on Thursday, Sligo County Council declined to become involved in the situation, writing: "As the land where the lettering was placed is commonage, Sligo County Council has no role in this matter." Tommy Banks, a spokesperson for Sligo for Life, told Ocean FM's Niall Delaney that the sign is temporarily and will be removed after the referendum. Banks also told Delaney that he was entirely confident that the lettering was legal, as the group had permission from local landowners to put the message there. Delaney expressed concern that "People are outraged on both sides that anyone could see fit to deface an iconic mountain like Ben Bulben," asking "Do you have to go and deface a mountain in such a way?"