Sir, - Walking towards O'Connell Bridge last Saturday afternoon I saw a large force of garda∅, together with squad cars and vans, engaged in moving a small group playing football in the street. As a consequence a large tailback had built up from the south.
About an hour earlier, I had walked down Georges Street and noted a large number of cars turning right toward College Green, despite the prominent notices prohibiting this action. No garda was in sight. I continued up toward Grafton Street and a saw a good number of cars go along the Nassau/Suffolk Street route, having turned left at the bottom of Dawson Street, another illegal action.
Might I suggest to the authorities that the situation would not have been so bad at the bridge if one or two of the garda∅ on "football" duty had been posted to these points instead, thereby minimising the number of cars making for O'Connell Street. That is, after all, the purpose of these traffic restrictions, as far as I know.
In case any of your readers think I am a tofu-eating car hater, I wish to confess that I had driven into the city and did not notice any difference in traffic levels. - Yours etc.,
Michael Cahill, Naas, Co Kildare.