A Flush Deal
The controversial 'opera urinals' have been sold on eBay by their owner, Herr Gerhard Neuhold. The lots fetched 5, 343 euros.
The graphic conveniences caused a fuss last month when they came to the attention of MPs canvassing for the general elections. The mouth-shaped urinals had in fact been in use for three years and they were to be found in a privately-run facility near the Viennese Opera.
Pressure from local councillors ultimately compelled Mr Neuhold to dismantle the conveniences, although Vienna's artistic community protested the move, claiming that it curtailed freedom of expression.
Mr Neuhold has informed the press that he will give a quarter of the funds raised to charity. Nevertheless, he told tabloid paper Kronen-Zeitung that he was a tad pissed off with the low price fetched.