Violent protest erupt in Dublin after a knife attack in the capital city earlier in the day left three children and two adults injured.
The incident occurred on Parnell Square East near Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire school, resulting in serious injuries to a five-year-old girl, a woman in her 30s, and a man in his 40s, who is a person of interest according to the police.
Several vehicles, including a police car, tram, and bus, were set on fire, and looting occurred at a store on O’Connell Street, alongside smashed windows in other shops.
Sources informed the BBC that the suspected attacker, an Irish citizen residing in the country for 20 years, was allegedly behind the assault.
The Chief of An Garda Síochána, Drew Harris, attributed the subsequent disorder to a “lunatic, hooligan faction propelled by a far-right ideology,” leading to violent disturbances as authorities secured the crime scene.
The situation has since calmed, with no severe injuries reported, but Ch Supt Patrick McMenamin criticized the disorder as “gratuitous thuggery,” mentioning attacks on officers.
Though the number of arrests remains unclear, the Irish Justice Minister stated that a significant number had been made.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar acknowledged the shocking nature of the attack, emphasizing the deployment of additional police resources as investigations continue.
Mr. Harris urged the public to disregard misinformation circulating on social media, highlighting the unknown motive behind the incident.
The head of Ireland’s National Bus and Railworkers’ Union condemned the actions against buses and trams as carried out by “thugs” and “despicable people.”