Retailer Harvey Norman has been rapped by advertising watchdogs - after a driving instructor spotted dangerous driving in one of their TV spots.
The chain ran an advert for its mattress products which opened with an aerial view of a Harvey Norman delivery truck driving on a country road.
The truck rounded a wide bend and was shown briefly crossing over the single white centre line.
This did not escape the sharp eye of an unidentified driving instructor, who complained to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI).
Harvey Norman admitted the truck did appear to break the law during the 30 second segment, but insisted it did not breach the ASAI code.
But ASAI chiefs said the spot was portraying unsafe driving and ordered Harvey Norman not to run it again.
Meanwhile, the ASAI threw out several different complaints over a Paddy Power spoof advert featuring ex-Spurs striker Peter Crouch and his model wife Abbey Clancy, who chucked a pair of underpants at him while they prepared for a day at the races.
The ASAI bulletin said: “Several complainants objected to the advertising on the grounds that it was offensive and sexist to men. The complainants objected to the comparison of the man to a racehorse and to the woman throwing a pair of underpants at him which they considered was demeaning and sexist to men.
“Several complainants also referred to the commentary in the advertisement to the man’s ability to breed and said that if this comment had been made in regard to a woman it would be considered inappropriate and lacking sensitivity.
“Several complainants objected to the use of the word “banker” in the advertisement on the grounds that they considered it offensive as it was suggestive and was being used in a derogatory way. One complainant considered that the term was implying that Irish people were stupid and racist, while another considered that it was racist to English people.”
The bookie defended the ad as a ”sharp-witted, cheeky, self-deprecating, parodical take on racing and how racing commentators’ comment on horses”.
The ASAI agreed and dismissed all the complaints.
