A plan for the better control of traffic in Dublin, especially in the neighbourhood of O'Connell Bridge, is being considered by the City Commissioners. Much inconvenience would be avoided if the bridge carried two streams of vehicles only - one stream moving North and the other South. Would the removal of the Smith O'Brien statue facilitate such an arrangement? Many people who have studied Dublin's traffic problems answer "Yes," and they cite other parts of the city which are decorated with statues that "never would be missed." Indeed, a general clearance of public statues has been proposed seriously as a solution of all traffic difficulties. The fate of Nelson's Pillar once more is under discussion, and it is suggested that the Commissioners ought to apply for statutory power to remove it. We hope that the Commissioners will not follow advice which would leave Dublin a city without statues.
The Irish Times,
December 29th, 1928.