Probably ‘allegedly’ started by disgruntled republicans aka Real IRA, Continuity IRA, Sinn Fein, IRA…………….those great ambassadors for Irish culture and architecture.
Look at the irreversable damage they committed in the past, the gutting of stately homes and their contents, the irreversable destruction of the Custom House and the Four Courts and all the historical records , the removal of the Pillar, the continuous bombings of cities…. etc
Ok….they were symbols of the Brits….but were of historical value. A more sympathetic approach and intellectual perspective was really required.