Dublin violence: Dublin erupts in violence following stabbing incident involving children near school

Dublin violence:  Dublin erupted into chaos on Thursday as violent clashes ensued after a harrowing knife attack injured three young children outside a school. Witnesses and Irish media reported that a knife-wielding man assaulted the victims near Parnell Square East, sparking outrage and unrest in the city.

Protesters engaged in confrontations with the police, leading to riots characterized by torched vehicles, looted shops, and confrontations with law enforcement in riot gear. Scenes of turmoil unfolded near O'Connell Bridge, where vehicles were set ablaze, and stores along the city's main shopping streets were ransacked.

The attack, resulting in serious injuries to a five-year-old girl, alongside two other children and two adults, triggered social media rumors about the assailant's nationality, exacerbating tensions in the aftermath.

Police chief Drew Harris attributed the unrest to a faction driven by far-right ideology and cautioned against the spread of misinformation. Demonstrators displayed signs reading "Irish Lives Matter," reflecting sentiments against a backdrop of dissatisfaction over housing shortages and anti-immigration rhetoric.

By evening, Police Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin reported restored calm but condemned the earlier violence as "gratuitous thuggery." Justice Minister Helen McEntee vowed action against such disruptive behavior, emphasising that chaos following tragedy cannot be condoned.

The incident, deemed unrelated to terrorism by the police, involved a knife-wielding man attacking victims outside the school, as recounted by witnesses. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed an arrest while expressing shock at the incident, commending the swift response of emergency services.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and local lawmakers, including Aodhan O Riordain and Mary Lou McDonald, expressed shock and solidarity with the affected families, denouncing the distressing attack and emphasizing support for those impacted by the traumatic events.

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- With inputs from agencies

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