• Irish Stabbing And Dublin Riots

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Mary Lou McDonald And Her Party Sinn Fein Promising A United Ireland For All.

Algerian Man Being Arrested Who Stabbed Three ChildrenInDublin 23rd November 2023

Algerian Man Being Arrested Who Is Alleged To Have Stabbed Three Children

Attacker In Dublin Originally From Algeria Dublin Riots Peter Cardwell Noel Rock

School Stabbing In Dublin Sparks Riots 9 News Australia

Public order unit and gardai confront protesters on Dublin's O’Connell street in the aftermath of the Parnell square stabbing attack.

Riots erupt in Dublin after children injured in stabbing attack

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Dublin riots: Violent clashes with gardaí and vehicles set alight after children injured in knife attack – The Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/11/23/dublin-stabbing-attack-live-updates-three-children-injured-chief-suspect-detained/ 

 

 

Rioters Brought Shame On Ireland Says Irish Taoiseach

Shock In Dublin As Three Young Children Stabbed Near School

What do we know about the suspect in the Parnell Square knife attack?

The 49-year-old led an isolated existence and was not well known within the Dublin Algerian community

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/11/27/what-do-we-know-about-the-suspect-in-the-parnell-square-knife-attack/

Five days on from a knife attack on schoolchildren in Dublin, which left a five-year-old girl and a childcare worker in serious condition and sparked widespread rioting across the city, frustratingly little is known about the main suspect and his motives.

This is partly due to the man’s condition. While he was being restrained by members of the public trying to prevent him attacking more children, the 49-year-old received significant head injuries.

On being brought to hospital, he was placed in an induced coma by doctors to allow the swelling to his brain to subside. He remains in a serious condition and detectives from Mountjoy Garda station have yet to receive medical clearance to interview or arrest him.

There is some concern the man’s head injuries may have long-lasting consequences, which could impact attempts to prosecute him or even discern his motivation. Sources said it will be several days before this is known.

Some detail has emerged about the man’s time in Ireland, mostly from court records and interviews with members of the immigrant community and security sources.

He arrived here from Algeria in 2003 and applied for asylum, claiming he faced political persecution in his native country. His initial asylum request was refused and a deportation order was made. However, the man appealed to the High Court which revoked the order. 

He later applied for and obtained an Irish passport and became a naturalised Irish citizen.

Little else is known of how he spent his time in Ireland. Members of the Algerian community in Dublin who spoke to the Irish Times described the man as a “loner” who was not religious and had little interaction with his compatriots.

“All we know is he is someone who is sick and not well. He was not well known in Algerian community,” said Kamel Ghamen, an Algerian man who moved to Ireland in the 1970s.

“He is just a loner. He is someone who people would know from him being in trouble before,” he added.

It is understood the man suffered from several physical and mental issues. Several years ago he had a brain tumour removed and in recent years he began interacting with mental health services. However, the exact nature of his illness is not clear.

In recent years he has lived in several addresses, sometimes for very short periods of time. During this time, he was frequently observed by gardaí hanging around the city centre.

On September 6th, 2022, he was arrested by gardaí from Store Street station for possession of a knife on North Lotts in the city centre. He was released on station bail pending a court date.

On May 14th of this year, he was again arrested by gardaí from Store Street, this time for criminal damage to a car on O’Connell Street.

He appeared in Dublin District Court on both offences on June 15th last. Records show he did not receive legal aid, indicating that he paid for his own solicitor, or he represented himself.

At the time, he listed his address as a property on the South Circular Road. However, over the weekend residents of the property said he never lived there.

The case concluded with the judge making “no order”. Making no order is relatively rare and is often done when an accused displays significant mental health issues which may explain their offending. It means the accused is left without a conviction.

While waiting to interview the suspect, gardaí investigating last Thursday’s attack seized and analysed his mobile phone and laptop. They found nothing to link him to any terrorism groups or plans to carry out an attack. However, they did discover he had a grievance with authorities over social welfare entitlements.

This, along with several other lines of inquiry, will be examined as a possible motivation for the attack.

Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher is Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times

Dublin stabbing suspect had row over social welfare payments - SundayWorld.com

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/latest-dublin-stabbing-suspect-had-row-over-social-welfare-payments/a1160160988.html 

The 49-year-old who is suspected of stabbing four people, including three children, outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire had been embroiled in a row over his social welfare payments in recent weeks. Sources said gardai have been made aware the Algerian-born Irish citizen was ‘deeply unhappy and agitated’ about the decision which had the effect of reducing his weekly income from the State. “It would certainly have acted as a significant stressor for him and it’s a decision that was made only in recent weeks,” a source confirmed. The suspect has been in an induced coma since the horror attack – meaning gardaí have been unable to question him as to his motive, However, a senior source said yesterday that all currently-available evidence indicates this was not ‘a lone wolf terror attack’ and is more likely linked to mental health issues and may, in some way, relate to the issue regarding his social welfare payments. A profile of the assailant put together by gardai identified him as “a ‘non-political, non-religious introvert’. 

The Algerian national who is the main suspect in the horrific school stabbing that saw three children and a carer injured was arrested earlier this year for possession of a knife, the Irish Daily Mail has reported. The paper reported that the man “had come to Garda attention several times in the past year” and that he had been taken to court on charges but not convicted “due to a mental health report” that was produced in court. The Irish Mirror reports that: “He appeared in Dublin District Court at the city’s CCJ in May. The judge in the case heard all the evidence, but made no order. That means the suspect was not convicted of any offence. A no-order decision is usually made when a judge rules that there was a significant mental health aspect to the case.” The Algerian suspect is believed to have been living in hostel accommodation provided by Dublin City Council. He is also believed to have come to Ireland almost two decades ago, and have taken Irish citizenship a decade ago. 

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T2wtter@Visegrad24

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1727823079689044298

 Mobs have formed on the streets of Dublin after the news that a man who is allegedly an Algerian migrant stabbed 3 young children and a woman near a school in Dublin today. They are attacking riot police and hotels used for housing asylum seekers.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1727823079689044298

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An Algerian Migrant Man Allegedly Stabbed 3Young Children and Their Teacher

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"All Is Changed Utterly As A Brutal Side Of Dublin Is Broadcast Around The World!.. Ian O'Doherty

You don't get Dublin .... you don't understand her ..."

.... local Dublin TDs react to Irish Minister For Justice McEntee statement Part One

You don't get Dublin .... you don't understand her ..."

.... local Dublin TDs react to Irish Minister For Justice McEntee statement Part Two

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Drew Harris and Irish Minister For Justice McEntee Oieachtas hearing

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Mary Lou McDonald And Her Party Sinn Fein Promising A United Ireland For All

SCHOOL STABBING: SUSPECT WAS PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED FOR KNIFE POSSESSION

https://gript.ie/school-stabbing-suspect-was-previously-arrested-for-knife-possession/ 

The Algerian national who is the main suspect in the horrific school stabbing that saw three children and a carer injured was arrested earlier this year for possession of a knife, the Irish Daily Mail has reported.

The paper reported that the man “had come to Garda attention several times in the past year” and that he had been taken to court on charges but not convicted “due to a mental health report” that was produced in court.

The Irish Mirror reports that: “He appeared in Dublin District Court at the city’s CCJ in May. The judge in the case heard all the evidence, but made no order. That means the suspect was not convicted of any offence. A no-order decision is usually made when a judge rules that there was a significant mental health aspect to the case.”

The Algerian suspect is believed to have been living in hostel accommodation provided by Dublin City Council. He is also believed to have come to Ireland almost two decades ago, and have taken Irish citizenship a decade ago.

The stabbing at the Parnell East Gaelscoil has shocked the nation. One child is still in a critical condition in hospital while another child and a carer who was stabbed while intervening to save the children were also seriously injured.

On Thursday, Commissioner Drew Harris has said that he would not rule out a potential terrorist motive.

“I have never ruled out any possible motive for this attack… all lines of inquiry are open to determine the motive for this attack,” he said.

The suspect is in hospital under armed guard and the Gardaí are not looking for any other persons in relation to the incident.

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Irish Prime Minister says Dublin is safe after riots over stabbing ANC 

School stabbing: suspect was previously arrested for knife possession - Gript

ttps://gript.ie/school-stabbing-suspect-was-previously-arrested-for-knife-possession/ 

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  • Published 24th November 2023
     
 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67516612

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(48) Dublin Descends Into Chaos Of Rioting, Arson & Looting | Europe Swinging Right? | Daily Mirror - YouTube

3,280 views Nov 24, 2023 #dailymirror #mirrornow #dublin

In this episode of The Daily Mirror, anchor Shreya Dhoundial will be discussing how Dublin descended into chaos. The capital of Ireland, Dublin, descended into chaos last night. Rights, arson, and unrest are the worst of their kind in Ireland in years. Buses were burned, hotels and restaurants were vandalised, and shops were looted. The chaos was triggered by a knife attack that left three young children injured.  Dr. Swasti Rao, Associate Fellow at Manohar Parrikar IDSA, is of the view that there is an internal structural flaw in Irish law. Watch  the entire video to know more. #dailymirror #mirrornow #dublin #ireland #swastirao #englishnews

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Story by TheJournal.ie team 

Rioting and a car on fire on Parnell Street in Dublin tonight
 

FIVE PEOPLE, INCLUDING three young children, were hospitalised after a suspected stabbing in Dublin city centre earlier today.

Rioting has since broken out in Dublin City centre, with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris condemning the ‘lunatic hooligan faction’

    Fires have been set on buses and Luas carriages with all Dublin Bus and tram services cancelled 
  • Patients of the Rotunda Hospital – a maternity hospital – have been told not to travel to the hospital unless absolutely necessary
  • Looting has also taken place with windows of shops smashed in and Arnott’s broken into 
  • The initial attack happened as junior and senior infant children at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East were preparing to go to a nearby after-school club at a creche
  • One of the children – a little girl – is receiving emergency medical treatment tonight
  • A boy and girl aged five and six received less serious injuries – the boy has since been discharged from hospital
  • A woman, who is believed to be a staff member at the creche, also sustained serious injuries in the incident
  • An adult male in his 50s who was injured is believed to be the attacker
  • Gardaí have described him as a person of interest and have said they are not looking for anyone else 
  • Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said that investigators were satisfied there was no terror-related activity
  • Dublin Riots: 'Elon Musk knows nothing about it'

    The US far-right are taking a keen interest in Irish affairs.
     
    Robert Kindregan  2 DEC 2023

    Dublin Riots: ‘Elon Musk knows nothing about it' | Newstalk

    While taking an interest in Irish politics and recent events, Elon Musk knows "nothing" about the country, according to a Wired reporter.

    David Gilbert told The Anton Savage Show leading Irish far-right figures online have developed close relationships with their counterparts across the pond.

    Mr Gilbert said one man in particular has been very successful in developing these relationships.

    “Central to this is a guy called Keith O’Brien from Roscommon who is known online as Keith Woods,” he said.

    “Over the course of the last couple of years, he has made friends online with a lot of high-ranking or important far-right figures in the US. Including Nick Fuentes who’s the head of the America First movement, and crucially, Elon Musk.”

     
    Ireland's PM Leo Varadkar vows to crack down on free speech in response to the outrage over a migrant stabbing attack CJ Bill (22) will make it a criminal offense in Ireland to possess "hate speech" on your phone or computer
     
     
     
     
    Watch on X
     
     Elon Musk
     
     @elonmusk
    ·
    Follow
    And the government will define “hate speech”. The people of Ireland should not stand for this!

    The Wired reporter said this led to the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, becoming an online commentator on last week's riots in Dublin.

    “When all this broke out on Thursday [November 24th], Elon Musk just had to get involved. There’s nothing he doesn’t want to stick his nose in, even though he knows nothing about it,” said Mr Gilbert.

    “He turned to Keith Woods [for information] who has built up a huge following by positing antisemitic content on Telegram.”

    Mr Gilbert said the Roscommon man painted a certain picture for Elon Musk as to what is going on in Ireland.

    “What [Keith O’Brien] was saying was that the riots in Dublin were just a result of the Government ignoring what he and other people have been saying about immigrants coming into the country,” he said.

    “That led Elon Must to Tweet about it, and then Conor McGregor got involved before it quickly filtered out to all of the other blue checkmark guys on Twitter.”

    “As a result, we’ve got huge swathes of the US far-right talking about Ireland in terms that show they really don’t know what they’re talking about.”

    US interest in Ireland

    Mr Gilbert explained the motivation for US figures such as Nick Fuentes, Tucker Carlson, and Steve Bannon to speak about Ireland.

    “Fuentes and the others have been pushing this narrative that immigration is the biggest threat to the American people,” he said.

    “They all believe that the American Government, and governments around the globe, are pushing this campaign to replace native populations with immigrants.

    “This is a grand conspiracy that’s been around for decades but has been ramped up by these figures in recent years.”

    Growth of Far-Right in Ireland

    Mr Gilbert said the far-right in Ireland have recently adopted this way of thinking.

    “Over the last six months, we’ve seen a huge uptake in protests and violence around direct provision centres in Ireland.

    “We’ve also seen allegations of vigilantism in little towns and villages around Ireland.”

    The Wired reporter added that these US figures are talking about immigration in Ireland to further their own goals of “making people scared of immigrants”.

    Listen back now:

    Rise Of The Far-Right In Ireland The Anton Savage Show 2-2-23

Reporting from Christine Bohan, Daragh Brophy, Niall O’Connor, Diarmuid Pepper, Mairead Maguire, Eimer McAuley and Nicky Ryan

 

‘It shatters that sense of safety’: Psychological services to support pupils at school close to Dublin attack – The Irish Times

‘It shatters that sense of safety’: Psychological services to support pupils at school close to Dublin attack

Fear and anxiety likely to be among issues facing students and staff who witnessed incident or its fallout

Parents collect children from schools on a back lane as gardaí and emergency services attend Parnell Square in Dublin in the aftermath of Thursday's knife attack. 

Carl O'Brien Thu Nov 23 2023
 

School psychologists will be on the ground at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square to support staff and students trying to come to terms with Thursday’s stabbing incident which left five people – including a five-year-old girl – hospitalised.

Minister for Education Norma Foley said staff from the National Education Psychological Service (Neps) are offering every support in dealing with what she described as an “unparalleled situation”.

“I think it’s almost incomprehensible to us that these young people could be going about their business in a normal everyday setting, be picked up from school, being taken to after school or be collected to go home and then this awful tragedy should occur,” she said.

Psychotherapists and clinical experts say challenges such as fear and anxiety will be all the greater given that students and staff at the 170-pupil school are likely to have witnessed the incident itself or the fallout.

“It shatters that sense of, ‘it could never happen here’,” says one professional involved in dealing with school trauma, who asked not to be identified.

“It is completely normal that pupils, or even staff or parents, are afraid that it might happen again. Simple reassurance is important, initially, to emphasise that these kinds of events are very rare and that they are safe,” said one professional, who asked not to be identified.

For Neps, so-called critical incidents – such as deaths due to violence, suicide or accident – are defined as any event that “overwhelms the normal coping mechanisms of the school”.

The primary role of the service is to advise and support teachers and other adults who work daily with students and who know them well.

“Best practice indicates that students need to be with people they know and trust,” states its official guidance document for responding to critical incidents. “It is, therefore more beneficial if school staff provide support for students as they will be around in the longer term and will be in a better position to monitor their students over the days and weeks following an incident,”

Much of its advice centres on giving the facts of the incident in an age-appropriate way, as well as advice for dealing with the media and addressing the worries of pupils and returning to normal routines as soon as possible.

Neps, however, does not provide counselling for pupils or staff. Instead, it describes its role as providing immediate, short-term support, information and advice to staff.

Dr Clare Finegan, a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, feels this is a vital and missing jigsaw piece when it comes to responding to critical incidents in schools.

In these types of events, she says, there can be layers of trauma such as shocked staff members, distressed pupils and deeply upset parents.

“Teachers are not clinical psychologists. Much of the time, they are given leaflets on how to respond, which isn’t meeting the basic fundamental needs of anyone in times of crisis,” she says. “We need a wraparound service, we need that clinical piece. It really is a huge gap and I see it myself on a regular basis.”

A challenge for school staff is around official advice to return to normality to soon, without properly addressing trauma caused by critical incidents, she says.

“The advice is to begin to return to a normal routine as soon as possible. But, who is left to pick up those groups who aren’t ready to move forward? It’s often around keeping the normal routine going, even though what’s happening is completely abnormal,” she says.

Carl O'Brien

Carl O'Brien is Education Editor of The Irish Times. He was previously chief reporter and social affairs correspondent

 
 

Dublin riots: Social media company X or Twitter did not engage with gardaí, Minister for Justice says

Helen McEntee told the Dáil on Wednesday that ‘some’ social media companies were ‘responsible’ during the events last Thursday while ‘others were not’

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/11/29/dublin-riots-social-media-company-x-or-twitter-did-not-engage-with-gardai-minister-for-justice-says/

John McGuirk, editor of Gript.
 

Breaking News: Suspect in Dublin stabbing Algerian national, Gardai believe - Gript

https://gript.ie/breaking-news-suspect-in-dublin-stabbing-algerian-national-gardai-believe/ 

BREAKING NEWS: SUSPECT IN DUBLIN STABBING ALGERIAN NATIONAL, GARDAI BELIEVE

Gript Media can confirm that the person of interest in today’s stabbing incident in central Dublin, which left four people plus the assailant – including three children – injured, is understood to be an Algerian national.

Official sources confirmed to Gript late this afternoon that the person of interest – who remains in a Dublin hospital and is understood not yet to be well enough to face garda interrogation – is believed to have originated from the North African country. However, sources also stressed that this is a working assumption, which may yet change based on an analysis of documentation.

At a press conference this evening, An Garda Sīochana released a statement in relation to the incident which took place in the vicinity of Parnell Street, Dublin earlier today. At that press conference, Gardai declined to comment on the nationality of the person of interest, or any other information relating to him.

Gardai did stress that while the investigation is at an early stage, a terrorist motive is not currently suspected.

A spokesperson said, “An Garda Síochána continues to investigate all the circumstances of a serious assault which occurred on Parnell Square East, shortly after 1.30pm this afternoon Thursday, 23rd November 2023.”

“Preliminary indications are that a male attacked a number of people on Parnell Square East.

Five (5) casualties have been taken to hospitals in the Dublin Region.”

“These casualties include three (3) young children, an adult female and an adult male.”

“One girl, age 5 years, has sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street.”

“A boy, aged 5 years and a girl aged 6 years, who received less serious injuries were brought to CHI Crumlin for treatment. The boy has since been discharged from CHI Crumlin.”

An Garda Síochána said it is providing support to the parents of all the children.

“The adult female, in her 30s, is being treated for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital.”

“An adult male, in his 50s, is also being treated for serious injuries at a Hospital in the Dublin Region.”

Gardaí say the  scene of the incident remains sealed off at this time and a technical examination of the scene is ongoing.

An incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.

“An Garda Síochána is following a definite line of Inquiry. This male, in his 50s, is a person of interest to An Garda Síochána in this investigation. An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person at this time.”

An Garda Síochána continues to have an open mind at this early stage of the investigation.

Gardaí are appealing to any person with any information on th attack to contact investigating Gardaí. Investigating Gardaí are also appealing to any person who may have mobile phone footage of the attack or the immediate aftermath to make this footage available to An Garda Síochána.

Investigating Gardaí can be contacted at Mountjoy Garda Station 01 6668600 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

 Garda Síochána said they “are not in a position to provide any further information at this early stage of the investigation.”

Dublin riots: Hardcore group of far-right agitators at centre of Garda investigations

A priority is to bring to justice those ringleaders who sparked the violence last Thursday

Jennifer Bray is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times

Dublin riots Drew Harris Helen McEntee An Gar

Dublin stabbing suspect had row over social welfare payments - SundayWorld.com

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/latest-dublin-stabbing-suspect-had-row-over-social-welfare-payments/a1160160988.html 

Emergency personnel attending the scene of the stabbing

Emergency personnel attending the scene of the stabbing

What do we know about the suspect in the Parnell Square knife attack?

The 49-year-old led an isolated existence and was not well known within the Dublin Algerian community

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/11/27/what-do-we-know-about-the-suspect-in-the-parnell-square-knife-attack/

Five days on from a knife attack on schoolchildren in Dublin, which left a five-year-old girl and a childcare worker in serious condition and sparked widespread rioting across the city, frustratingly little is known about the main suspect and his motives.

This is partly due to the man’s condition. While he was being restrained by members of the public trying to prevent him attacking more children, the 49-year-old received significant head injuries. On being brought to hospital, he was placed in an induced coma by doctors to allow the swelling to his brain to subside. He remains in a serious condition and detectives from Mountjoy Garda station have yet to receive medical clearance to interview or arrest him.

There is some concern the man’s head injuries may have long-lasting consequences, which could impact attempts to prosecute him or even discern his motivation. Sources said it will be several days before this is known. Some detail has emerged about the man’s time in Ireland, mostly from court records and interviews with members of the immigrant community and security sources.

He arrived here from Algeria in 2003 and applied for asylum, claiming he faced political persecution in his native country. His initial asylum request was refused and a deportation order was made. However, the man appealed to the High Court which revoked the order. 

He later applied for and obtained an Irish passport and became a naturalised Irish citizen. Little else is known of how he spent his time in Ireland. Members of the Algerian community in Dublin who spoke to the Irish Times described the man as a “loner” who was not religious and had little interaction with his compatriots.

“All we know is he is someone who is sick and not well. He was not well known in Algerian community,” said Kamel Ghamen, an Algerian man who moved to Ireland in the 1970s. “He is just a loner. He is someone who people would know from him being in trouble before,” he added.

It is understood the man suffered from several physical and mental issues. Several years ago he had a brain tumour removed and in recent years he began interacting with mental health services. However, the exact nature of his illness is not clear. In recent years he has lived in several addresses, sometimes for very short periods of time. During this time, he was frequently observed by gardaí hanging around the city centre.

On September 6th, 2022, he was arrested by gardaí from Store Street station for possession of a knife on North Lotts in the city centre. He was released on station bail pending a court date. On May 14th of this year, he was again arrested by gardaí from Store Street, this time for criminal damage to a car on O’Connell Street.

He appeared in Dublin District Court on both offences on June 15th last. Records show he did not receive legal aid, indicating that he paid for his own solicitor, or he represented himself. At the time, he listed his address as a property on the South Circular Road. However, over the weekend residents of the property said he never lived there.

The case concluded with the judge making “no order”. Making no order is relatively rare and is often done when an accused displays significant mental health issues which may explain their offending. It means the accused is left without a conviction.

While waiting to interview the suspect, gardaí investigating last Thursday’s attack seized and analysed his mobile phone and laptop. They found nothing to link him to any terrorism groups or plans to carry out an attack. However, they did discover he had a grievance with authorities over social welfare entitlements. This, along with several other lines of inquiry, will be examined as a possible motivation for the attack.

Conor Gallagher Conor Gallagher is Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times

Dublin stabbing suspect had row over social welfare payments - SundayWorld.com

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/latest-dublin-stabbing-suspect-had-row-over-social-welfare-payments/a1160160988.html 

IRISH CRIME

EXCLUSIVE |  Latest: Dublin stabbing suspect had row over social welfare payments

The suspect has been in an induced coma since the horror attack – meaning gardaí have been unable to question him as to his motive

Emergency personnel attending the scene of the stabbing

Patrick O'Connell & Ken Foy Sun 26 Nov 2023 

The 49-year-old who is suspected of stabbing four people, including three children, outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire had been embroiled in a row over his social welfare payments in recent weeks.

Sources said gardai have been made aware the Algerian-born Irish citizen was ‘deeply unhappy and agitated’ about the decision which had the effect of reducing his weekly income from the State. “It would certainly have acted as a significant stressor for him and it’s a decision that was made only in recent weeks,” a source confirmed. The suspect has been in an induced coma since the horror attack – meaning gardaí have been unable to question him as to his motive,

However, a senior source said yesterday that all currently-available evidence indicates this was not ‘a lone wolf terror attack’ and is more likely linked to mental health issues and may, in some way, relate to the issue regarding his social welfare payments. A profile of the assailant put together by gardai identified him as “a ‘non-political, non-religious introvert’. 

“Investigations so far have discovered nothing that would indicate any kind of religious or political motivation for what he did,” the source said.

“A thorough examination has been carried out of his online activity, while those who knew or associated with him have also been spoken to. “There isn’t any sign whatsoever of radicalisation, religious, political or otherwise. “He didn’t attend church or a mosque and there is no evidence of any kind of views to the extreme left or right. Also, when the property in which he lived was searched, there was nothing of note found. “In other jurisdictions where lone wolf terror attacks have taken place, investigators have usually found propaganda of some kind or a manifesto. “There is nothing like that in this case. This was not a man who led a settled existence. He lived in hostels or supported living quarters. “As far as can tell, he was an introvert, not a part of something bigger that has been determined so far.”

Asked if the man’s medical history, and the fact he had a brain tumour removed in recent years, was being looked at, the source confirmed it was. ​

Asked specifically about the removal of a brain tumour, the source indicated this happened several years ago, while the attacker hadn’t come to Garda attention in any way until recent months.

Gardaí charged the man with two criminal offences arising from event that took place in March. He was charged with possession of a knife and criminal damage.

When the cases came before Dublin District Court in May, no order was made. Legal sources said this sometimes happens in cases where mental health is viewed to be a factor.

The 49-year-old gave an address on the South Circular Road when he appeared before the court,

When this newspaper called to the building on Friday with a picture of the assailant, a resident who has lived there for five years said the man had never lived there.

In advance of questioning the suspect, gardaí have gathered evidence that leads them to believe he deliberately targeted the children at the school – rather than this being a spontaneous attack.

Sources said he loitered around a back gate of the school for 10 minutes before walking around to the front and starting to stab the children.

It’s believed he watched as a group of five children were lined up to be taken to afterschool before launching his attack

Dublin riots: ‘It’s just a mess. The whole front of the shop was destroyed’

Retailers count the cost of rioting and looting as they prepare to reopen

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/dublin/2023/11/27/dublin-riots-its-just-a-mess-the-whole-front-of-the-shop-was-destroyed

Cliff Nolan from Bike Stop on Dublin’s Capel Street. Within a frenzied few minutes, looters had stolen about 10 bikes on Thursday night

Cliff Nolan spent all of last Thursday night and Friday morning on the floor of his bike shop on Capel Street guarding what was left of his stock not knowing if and when the mob would come back.

All he had to defend himself was a hastily cobbled together shield of chairs and plywood, and he was not confident they would serve as much protection from the looters who had wreaked havoc on his business shortly after the north inner city erupted on Thursday evening.

“I didn’t have any sleep at all and while it quietened down as the night wore on, there was the odd disturbance on the street outside right up until about 4am,” he said.

Bike Stop, the shop he has co-owned since 2021, was targeted by looters with more than 10 expensive bikes stolen over the course of a frenzied few minutes.

Many of the bikes they did not steal were damaged, trampled underfoot by the thieves, with the windows and doors protecting his small shop also trashed.

“It’s just a mess,” he said. “The whole front of the shop was destroyed and a lot of things are missing so we are still just in shock. We lost about 10 new bikes and some customers’ bikes that were left in for repair too, so in terms of the cost you might be looking at close to €15,000,” Nolan said.

While most of the weekend was spent cleaning up the mess and much of Monday on the phone with his insurance company to see what would and would not be covered by his policy, the business has stayed open.

“We were never in this to be millionaires, you know. I love the business, it is a passion. And I love the customers who have become a community, it was never just about making a buck, you know,” he said.

Although the wind has definitely been taken out of his sails, he was defiant and stressed that the business would survive. “We will recover especially because of the community around here who have helped us and supported us over the past few days,” he said.

His niece has set up a go-fund me page which has raised about €10,000 while the shops on the street have donated things the Bike Stop might need to continue trading, including the tools needed to shore up the damaged shop front.

“There are a lot of people out there who are good and they have been good to us, neighbours, businesses, customers who we maybe would not have seen in a good while. They have all been there showing support.”

While the Bike Stop is back up and running, the Gala newsagents closer to the epicentre of the riotous scenes remained shuttered on Monday afternoon with owner King Kumar still surveying the wreckage.

He pointed to the coffee machine which had been destroyed and the empty shelves where vapes once sat.

“They took all the cigarettes and the alcohol too. They were in the shop for about two hours and they kept coming back. My staff and the co-owner were hiding in the basement and they couldn’t get out,” he said.

“They were ringing me and the guards and I was ringing the guards but there was nothing that could be done.”

Like Nolan, Kumar was spending much of Monday counting the cost of the ransacking of his shop and had been on the phone to the insurance company to see what relief would be coming.

“They have been in already so we will see what happens next,” he said stoically. “It is a busy time of the year with a lot of people passing but we will be closed for a while yet and I don’t know when we will be able to open again.”

Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor and cohost of the In the News podcast

Dublin riots: Violent clashes with gardaí and vehicles set alight after children injured in knife attack – The Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/11/23/dublin-stabbing-attack-live-updates-three-children-injured-chief-suspect-detained/ 

Dublin riots: Violent clashes with gardaí and vehicles set alight after children injured in knife attack

Garda Commissioner says ‘lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology’ behind violence which included multiple clashes with gardaí

A bus burns on Dublin's O’Connell street during severe public order disturbances in the city centre this evening.

Thu Nov 23 2023 
 
22:13
 

Friday’s live updates on the Dublin riots: Gardaí say 34 people arrested after riotous mob causes huge destruction

Summary of main incidents on Thursday

  • There have been violent clashes between large groups of people and gardaí in Dublin this evening, with vehicles set on fire and shops looted.
  • All Luas and some bus services have been suspended. There are reports of protesters firing flares and fireworks at gardaí and at least one Garda vehicle was set on fire on Parnell Street, while a bus and a car were set on fire at the O’Connell Bridge end of O’Connell Street.
  • The significant public disorder erupted following a stabbing earlier in which left five people hospitalised, including the perpetrator, on Thursday.
  • Garda Commissioner Drew Harris blamed the unrest on a “lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology” while Minister for Justice Helen McEntee appealed for calm and said a “thuggish and manipulative element” was using the earlier incident to “wreak havoc”. She condemned the attacks on gardaí.
  • A five-year-old girl is receiving emergency treatment at Temple Street hospital after the stabbing incident.
  • A boy, also aged five, and a girl (6) sustained less serious injuries and were brought to CHI Crumlin for treatment. The boy has since been discharged.
  • A woman in her 30s was being treated for serious injuries at the Mater hospital. The Irish Times understands she was an employee of the school or afterschool care facility the children were attending.
  • Gardaí are trying to determine whether there is any relationship between the chief suspect and anyone outside the school or at the scene. The chief suspect is understood to be a naturalized Irish citizen, who has lived here for 20 years
  • Passers-by intervened on the street shortly after the stabbing attack and subdued the suspect, took a knife from him and threw it across the street into a grassy area close to the Garden of Remembrance.
  • Gardaí consider the main suspect, a man in his late 40s or 50s who has also been taken for treatment for serious injuries, to be the chief suspect in the case. They are not looking for anyone else.
  • The Garda Commissioner said all possible motivations are being considered.
  • A number of passers-by intervened on the street shortly after the attack began and subdued the suspect, took a knife from him and threw the knife across the street into a grassy area close to the Garden of Remembrance. The incident took place outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East as children were coming out of the school, which caters to primary-age children.
  • News wrap: Violence erupts in Dublin city after stabbing attack targeting young children
  • Read Kitty Holland’s report on how the chaos unfolded on Parnell Square.
  • In pictures: There were incredible scenes on the streets of Dublin this evening.

Join The Irish Times WhatsApp channel for breaking news straight to your phone.

 

07:07
 

Good morning, for Friday’s news and updates please go to for our latest live story.


00:31
 

That concludes our live coverage for tonight but we will be back early this morning with further updates, news and analysis in what is sure to be a busy day coming to terms with the tumultuous events of last night. Until then.


00:10
 
 

Statement of Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin on serious public disorder in Dublin City Centre, Thursday 23rd November 2023 pic.twitter.com/5uqbvPww9I

— Garda Info (@gardainfo) November 23, 2023

00:04
 

More than 400 Irish police officers were involved in the height of the response to a riot in Dublin.

In a video statement on social media, Garda Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin said some members of the police force had been attacked and assaulted.

However, he said no serious injuries had been reported by gardai or members of the public. Gardai remain on patrol in the city centre.

Mr McMenamin said: “Dublin city centre is now calm and returning to normal.”

The chief superintendent said the thoughts of the police service are with the victims of the assault in Parnell Square earlier in the day.

Speaking about the riot, he said: “The violence had nothing whatsoever to do with a serious assault which occurred this afternoon on Parnell Square, it was gratuitous thuggery.” - PA


00:02

Gardai in Dublin said the city has calmed and is returning to normal but over 400 members continue to patrol. An unspecified number of arrests were made.


23:49

An on public transport, Dublin Bus has advised its customers there will be no services for the remainder of tonight and throughout the night.

“We are working to ensure the safe return of buses and employees to each of our depots to prepare for services tomorrow,” it said in a statement late on Thursday.

“Dublin Bus will be taking advice from An Garda Síochána about the situation in the city centre before operating services.”

Customers are advised to check www.dublinbus.ie and @dublinbusnews from 05.00hrs for service updates.


23:44

And here is a snippet from what the New York Times is reporting to its global audience tonight:

...violent scenes broke out in the city after a group of rioters attacked police vehicles and set fires. Videos from the scene showed stores being looted, police cars and public buses aflame, and people clashing with police officers.

In the wake of the attack, far-right figures spread rumors online about the nationality of the attacker, and the news service AFP said that one protester told them that “Irish people are being attacked by these scum.”


23:34

Information Update: @3ArenaDublin will stay open after tonight's show to facilitate pick up of patrons.

— 3Arena (@3ArenaDublin) November 23, 2023

At the Three Arena, where Anne-Marie had been playing to blissfully unaware fans, the venue has said it will remain open to facilitate collections, given that the Luas is not, cannot, run to provide the normal post-concert services.


23:29

A little earlier tonight the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said, unsurprisingly, it was seriously concerned for the safety of gardai working in “such violent, stressful and dangerous conditions”.

“The scenes we are witnessing across social media are horrific and we are liaising with colleagues on the ground as these devastating events unfold,” said its general secretary Antoinette Cunningham.

On the ground, uniformed gardai and members of the Public Order Unit formed unbroken lines but continued to face threats, violence and missiles.


23:07

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, presumably working late into the night, has said she wants to see people in prison following what has occurred in the capital.

The gardai are responding with force, they are arresting people and people will be sent to prison, she has said in a very strong response.

“What we are seeing unfold here is a small faction of people who do not represent me, who do not represent the vast majority of people, who have used this horrific act to sew division,” she told Virgin Media One.

“They have used this act to come into our city centre and to carry out absolute criminal offences.”

The Minister said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is on the ground directing the operation which is continuing.

The same station was replaying images of frontline gardai being attacked. Ms McEntee said the offence for doing so was up to 12 years in prison.

“I want to see people in prison here because these are acts of thuggery,” she said.

Striking a note that many will surely agree with in the days ahead, she said tonight’s actions were not about immigration, but simply opportunistic acts of disorder.


22:45

Sadly, the Rotunda Hospital, where many Dubliners were born, is advising patients against travelling there unless absolutely necessary.

This chimes with the Garda advice to avoid the north inner city if possible. The hospital remains open for those who need it, however.

Due to an ongoing incident in Parnell Square, patients are advised not to travel to the hospital this evening unless absolutely necessary.

The hospital is fully operational at this time.

— The Rotunda Hospital (@RotundaHospital) November 23, 2023

22:40

Further to the point about order returning, gardaí have tweeted that the city centre is “mainly calm”, showing CCTV imagery of largely empty streets.

Our reporters say much the same - most of the crowds have dispersed

Dublin City Centre streets are now mainly calm.

Gardaí continue to be present and on patrol the city centre in large numbers. pic.twitter.com/gFOZyPgwpz

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) November 23, 2023

22:15

President Michael D Higgins has issued a statement on the attack and the subsequent events.

“All of our thoughts are with each of the children and their families affected by today’s horrific attack outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire in Dublin city centre,” he said.

“We are particularly thinking of the five-year-old girl and the member of staff caring for her who are both in serious condition in hospital. All of our prayers are with each of them for a full recovery.

“The Gardaí deserve all of our support in dealing with this incident. This appalling incident is a matter for the Gardaí and that it would be used or abused by groups with an agenda that attacks the principle of social inclusion is reprehensible and deserves condemnation by all those who believe in the rule of law and democracy.”


22:14

Speaking to RTE’s Primetime tonight Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said described the stabbing incident as “devastating”.

She added that “what we are witnessing this evening is a small group of people who do not represent me or the vast majority of people in this country who are using this appaling act to wreak havoc and to sow division . . . They’re thugs, they’re criminals, that is exactly how they will be treated.”

She said the gardai were responding with “full force, they are using every means available to them, every force available to them to bring these people to justice”.

She said there have been “many arrests, there will continue to be arrests”.

Asked if she failed to prepare sufficiently, she said: “This is not a large faction of our society. This is a relatively small group of people whose sole focus is to wreak havoc . . . This is not about immigration, this is not about the young children who are in hospital this evening, these are criminals these are thugs. This is not about people feeling safe or being safe, these are criminals and thugs.”

She promised they would face “the full force of the law”.

“These people will be arrested and put in prison and that’s where they should be,” Ms McEntee said.

Asked if the gardai had failed to prepare for the outbreak of violence, Ms McEntee said there was a “strong garda presence on the ground from early on in the day, that presence has built up, the Armed Response Unit has been on the ground for some time now”.

Asked about her recent comments about the streets of Dublin being safe, Ms McEntee said: “This is not about the streets being safe, this is a mob of people who are criminals and thugs . . . This is not about general safety.”


22:11
 

Garda sources said last night’s scenes were unprecedented in the modern era in Dublin, far eclipsing the violence and criminal damage witnessed during the ‘Love Ulster’ riots of 2006.

The same sources said while the unrest began with a small group of anti-immigration protestors, it quickly became widespread recreational rioting, with large numbers of teenagers among the crowds involved, Conor Lally reports.


21:56

Major public disorder erupted in Dublin in the wake of a stabbing incident that left five people hospitalised, with clashes between groups and police on Parnell Street and O’Connell Street leaving one Garda injured and a number of Garda vehicles damaged. Photo: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times


21:54

Things are dying down in Dublin with crowds thinning out and public order gardaí being replaced with uniformed officers, Conor Gallagher reports.

The Irish Times also understands that gardai are trying to determine whether there is any relationship between the chief suspect and anyone outside the school or at the scene.

The chief suspect is understood to be a naturalized Irish citizen, who has lived here for 20 years, Conor Lally reports.

One of the passers-by who intervened to stop the attack is understood to have been a Brazilian Deliveroo driver.


21:50
 

21:30

When the dust settles, the children and parents of Coláiste Mhuire will have to come to terms with the terrifying attack that took place outside their school today.

“It shatters that sense of, ‘it could never happen here’”: Carl O’Brien writes on the psychological support they will need.


21:11

Social Affairs Correspondent Kitty Holland was reporting on the Stardust inquests taking place near the scene of the knife attack earlier today - and found out about it from one of the survivors of the 1981 fire.

“Shortly after 1.40pm on Thursday, journalists covering the Stardust inquests were filing lunchtime copy in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda hospital, where inquests have been under way since April. Deirdre Dames, a survivor of the 1981 fire rushed in, alerting us that someone was ‘after stabbing kids out there’.”

Read her full account here.


21:05
Bus ablaze on Dublin's O'Connell Street Public order unit and gardai confront protesters on Dublin's O’Connell street in the aftermath of the Parnell square stabbing attack
 
21:03 

Earlier Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who is currently hosting a dinner for the British Irish Council at Dublin Castle, said that “nation is shocked” about the stabbing incident, adding that he was “lost for words.”

He said that he understood there were some “public order issues in Parnell Square this evening” and added that the “gardai have provided extra resources into the area”.

“What I say to people is that this is a time to think about the children who have been affected here, their families, the wider school community, to make sure we put into place the supports that are needed – that’ll be done in the morning particularly for the school. It’s time to think of them.

“We don’t know exactly what happened here or why and we don’t know what the motivation was and I think we all need to reserve judgment for now. Be assured that the gardai have the situation under control and whoever was responsible for this attack will be brought to justice.”


21:01
 

Bus on fire as disturbances in Dublin escalate. Fireworks going off. O’ pic.twitter.com/eC6nQfxoiv

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) November 23, 2023

Parnell Street right now pic.twitter.com/vfY6lRfscO

— Adrian Weckler (@adrianweckler) November 23, 2023

21:00

There are rumours circulating that the Defence Forces have been deployed to the streets. These aren’t true:

PSA

Images circulating of Defence Forces vehicles in Dublin City Centre are not from this evening, but from a separate routine operation and have no connection to this evening's events.

We ask everyone to be sensitive to the spreading disinformation, and to take care.

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) November 23, 2023

20:59

Facing south on O’Connell Street:

Looks like a Garda car has been burnt out. pic.twitter.com/eQp34YJXG9

— Áine McMahon (@AineMcMahon) November 23, 2023

20:57

Some startling imagery emerging from the scene.

More photos, this on Abbey Street at the moment, where gardaí with riot shields charged a large group of protesters, pushing them back down the street pic.twitter.com/5cwYkjwj0b

— Jack Power (@jackpowerIT) November 23, 2023

20:56
 

O’Connell Street, 8pm pic.twitter.com/jBKP5vUGyr

— Jack Power (@jackpowerIT) November 23, 2023

20:52

The smell of smoke is distinctive in Dublin for at least a mile away from the epicentre of the clashes on O’Connell Street, though the streets remain filled, with many would-be commuters trying to seek alternative routes home.

Reporter Mark Hilliard says:

On every junction facing O’Connell Street strong lines of gardaí, some with helmets and shields, stood blocking entry and shouting at any approachers to “get back” as efforts continued to effectively seal off the capital’s main thoroughfare. Projectiles were thrown, and random threats, but were met with no physical response.

The entire width of Abbey Street beside Supermacs was covered in flames, seemingly the burning remnants of a vehicle.

Glass bottles began to rain down on gardai on Abbey Street, many of them plundered form a nearby Gala shop. Public order officers responded by driving the crowd back.

Per Ellen O’Riordan:

I would definitely describe the atmosphere as intimidating and febrile. It’s gangs of young people, mainly men, wearing face masks and balaclavas.

The areas around lower O’Connell Street were thick with black smoke from the Dublin Bus and other vehicles that were on fire. Loud bangs went off from fireworks and possible combustion in vehicles that were ablaze.


20:23

School psychologists will be on the ground at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square to support staff and students trying to come to terms with Thursday’s stabbing incident which left five people – including a five-year-old girl – hospitalised, reports Carl O’Brien.

Minister for Education Norma Foley said staff from the National Education Psychological Service (Neps) are offering every support in dealing with what she described as an “unparalleled situation”.

“I think it’s almost incomprehensible to us that these young people could be going about their business in a normal everyday setting, be picked up from school, being taken to after school or be collected to go home and then this awful tragedy should occur,” she said.

Read the full story here.


20:05

The travel disruption, perhaps unsurprisingly, has worsened. No buses are now serving O’Connell Street or Parnell Square, according to a Dublin Bus statement just before 7pm, and there are some reports of inbound buses stopping well before that, even from the southside.

There are no Luases between Stephen’s Green and Dominick on the Green Line or between Smithfield and The Point on the Red Line.


19:50

In a statement, Helen McEntee said: “The horrific attack today in Dublin city centre was an appalling crime that has shocked us all.

“An Garda Siochana are following a definite line of inquiry and are not looking for anyone else regarding this crime. The perpetrator will be brought to justice.

“However, the scenes we are witnessing this evening in our city centre cannot and will not be tolerated.

“A thuggish and manipulative element must not be allowed use an appalling tragedy to wreak havoc.

“I have spoken to local TDs from all sides of the Dail and we are of the same view.

“We will not tolerate a small number using an appalling incident to spread division.

“I would appeal for calm in the city centre as An Garda Siochana carry out their work – attacks on members of An Garda Siochana must be utterly condemned and will be dealt with severely.

“I am meeting the Garda Commissioner this evening to discuss the policing plan in the city tonight.

“Most importantly, we must remember the real tragedy of today and allow the investigations take their course.”


19:49

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said a “complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology” is behind disorder in Dublin this evening.

He said a number of Garda vehicles have been damaged.

“I think there’s disgraceful scenes in terms of a major investigation, the maintenance of a scene and the gathering of evidence,” he told media during a press conference at Mountjoy Garda Station.

“We have a complete lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology, and also then this disruptive tendency engaged in serious violence.

“We are drafting in resources to deal with that and that will be dealt with properly. I’ve given full direction to our resources here in respect of making arrests and bringing offenders to justice.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure that we police the streets, and part of that is we ask people to act responsibly and not to listen to the misinformation and rumour that is circulating on social media.

“The facts are being established, but the facts are still not clear on a lot of the rumour and the innuendo is being spread for malevolent purposes.”


19:39

Dramatic images are emerging from O’Connell Street, where things have turned ugly. Reporter Ellen O’Riordan was on the scene:

“A bus and a car are ablaze at the end of O’Connell Street as traffic has been brought to a standstill. Large crowds have gathered at the foot of the O’Connell monument, with some fireworks set off.”

Here are some photographs she has sent in:

A bus on fire on O'Connell Street in central Dublin. Photograph: Ellen O'Riordan

A car on fire on O'Connell Street. Photograph: Ellen O'Riordan

Dublin riots. Photograph: Ellen O'Riordan


19:06

A number of Garda vehicles have been damaged as a group of people clashed with gardaí on Thursday evening, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has told reporters.

Mr Harris could not give specifics on arrests and injuries, he said. He described the group as a “lunatic hooligan” element.

He said that “all lines of inquiry” remain open and refused to speculate in relation to a terror motive.


19:02 

Members of the Garda Public Order Unit move protesters down O'Connell Street in Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni


18:46

On Thursday afternoon a small number of people shout anti-immigration slogans at gardaí securing the crime scene, Conor Lally reports. As darkness fell, numbers grew and there were clashes between the protestors and some of the gardaí.

Members of the Public Order Unit were deployed and at least one member of the force was injured after being assault.


18:30

Irish Times video journalist Enda O’Dowd sends a report from the media briefing held by Gda Supt Liam Geraghty at Mountjoy Garda Station, updating on the state of the investigation.

17:43

Some more significant updates via Security and Crime Editor Conor Lally:

  • The child who was seriously injured is aged 5 years and is currently undergoing emergency medical treatment at Temple Street Hospital.
  • Gardaí have ruled out any possible terrorist motive.
  • A boy, also aged five, and a girl aged six years, sustained less serious injuries and were brought to CHI, Crumlin, for treatment. The boy has since been discharged.
  • A man in his 50s who was taken from the scene for treatment for serious injuries is the chief suspect in the case and gardaí are not looking for anyone else in relation to their investigation into the incident.
  • A woman in her 30s was being treated for serious injuries at the Mater hospital. The Irish Times understands she was an employee of the school or afterschool care facility the children were attending.
  • A number of passers-by intervened on the street shortly after the attack began and subdued the suspect, took a knife from him and threw the knife across the street into a grassy area close to the Garden of Remembrance.

17:24

More details emerge

There is a new statement from the Garda, which says that “preliminary indications are that a male attacked a number of people on Parnell Square East”.

It confirmed that five casualties have been taken to hospital in Dublin, including three young children, an adult female and an adult male.

“One girl aged five has sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street,” it said.

“A boy aged five and a girl aged six years, who received less serious injuries, were brought to CHI Crumlin for treatment. The boy has since been discharged from CHI Crumlin.”

The children’s parents are receiving Garda support, it said.

The woman, in her 30s, is being treated for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital, while the man, in his 50s, is also being treated, though the statement only identified that he was at “a hospital in the Dublin region”.

An incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed.

“An Garda Síochána is following a definite line of inquiry. The male in his 50s is a person of interest in this investigation. An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person at this time,” it went on.

An Garda Síochána continues to have an open mind at this early stage of the investigation.”


17:22

Speaking in Waterford on Thursday afternoon the chairman of the Policing Authority Bob Collins said families had been “plunged into to a very difficult set of circumstances” by the incident in Dublin, Olivia Kelly reports.

“I am hugely conscious of the fact that we are having this meeting in circumstances where the lives and realities of a number of families have been very severely upturned and profoundly affected by events that have taken place in Dublin and I would not want there for a moment to be any sense that there is a lack of sensitivity to those circumstances.”

Mr Collins was speaking after Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had to withdraw from the authority’s meeting to return to Dublin.

“We recognise that operational policing always continues in the face of awful circumstances, and events that have taken place in Dublin reveal to us the fact that danger can lurk even in the most innocent circumstances and it is in those moments that members of the Garda Síochána and other responders are called upon to act professionally and to respond in the way that they always do.”


17:20

At a media briefing on Thursday evening, Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty appealed for any information about the Parnell Square attack from members of the public.

Investigating gardaí are looking for any mobile phone footage of the attack that people may have taken, or its aftermath, and asked people to contact Mountjoy Garda station at 01-6668600, the Garda Confidential Phone Line at 1800 666111 or any Garda station if they had any further information.


17:15

It’s worth noting that the area where the incident took place is a bustling part of Dublin city centre, abutting O’Connell Street and Parnell Street. There are shops, restaurants, organisational headquarters and even theatres there, along with the school and the Rotunda hospital. For this evening, things have ground to a halt, however.

In addition to temporary travel disruption, Peter Pan at the Gate Theatre, the entrance to which is at Parnell Square East, has been cancelled this evening.


17:09

‘Absolute cowardice and depravity’

More political reaction continues to drop in, Tim O’Brien reports.

Social Democrats Gary Gannon, another TD for the area, said “there are no words to describe the devastation we are feeling following the horrific knife attack”.

“An attack on children is an act of absolute cowardice and depravity. All of my thoughts are with the innocent victims of this brutal assault, their families and those who love them,” he said.

Labour justice spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin expressed his solidarity with “all those impacted by the reported attack at Parnell Square today”.

“It appears that staff and schoolchildren have been affected and will potentially be profoundly traumatised by what has happened,” he said.

Mr Ó Ríordáin called on the Department of Education and the HSE to ensure that appropriate trauma supports and other interventions are made available to the school community.

“This is a deeply traumatic and shocking incident. Our thoughts are with everyone caught up in this event and the school community that has been impacted,” he said.

Fianna Fáil Senator Mary Fitzpatrick said she was “deeply saddened and horrified by the serious incident which took place on Parnell Square this afternoon”.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this distressing time,” she added.


16:5 

The Minister for Education has confirmed that support is being provided by the National Educational Psychological Service, a group of psychologists who advise schools on how to deal with incidents, including crises.

“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the three children and the woman who were viciously attacked in Dublin,” she said.

“Our hearts and minds go out to all who were injured today and to all of their families, as well as all the staff who care for them in the school and in their creche.”


16:43

A striking image from the aftermath of the incident here via Irish Times photographer Alan Betson:

A father embraces his daughter after collecting her from the back lane of Coláiste Mhuire school after a stabbing incident on Parnell Square. Photograph: Alan Betson


16:36

Here’s Dublin Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste:

“On behalf of all the citizens of Dublin, I want to express my complete shock and sadness at the attack in Parnell Square today.

“To think that evil like this could happen, particularly to innocent children, is just devastating.

“The thoughts of our city are with the families involved this evening and, like everyone else, I am praying that these children and the adult involved will make a full recovery.

“I want to thank the brave members of the public who assisted at the scene, the emergency services who responded within minutes and the hospital staff who are caring for those attacked.”


16:24

Siobhan Kearney, an eyewitness to the Dublin stabbing incident, spoke to The Irish Times.

‘They were only just after finishing school’

Siobhan Kearney, an eyewitness, told Kitty Holland she had been having a cigarette outside the Rotunda hospital when the incident happened:

“I spotted a guy with a stabbing motion across the road and people screaming, so I look across the road and there was fellas there and they pulled the guy off the children. There was a good few kids. They were only just after finishing school. I’d say they were between the ages of four, five and six. No older.”

She said a number of people started attacking the alleged perpetrator, kicking him on the ground. “A few people were attacking and me and an American girl formed a ring around the culprit and so the Garda could deal with him in due course.” She said emergency services arrived within minutes – an ambulance attended to the girl first, with a second ambulance and fire appliances on the scene after. She said a woman was also injured, who was also taken to hospital.

Asked if she had seen how seriously injured the girl was she said she had not. “I just seen the blood.”

She said a man on a moped had taken the knife, which she described as “about ten inches long, a big knife” from the alleged attacker and thrown it across the road to a grass verge by the Rotunda hospital. She had pointed this out to gardaí who had removed it from the scene.


16:21

Olivia Kelly reports that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris just before 4pm left a meeting of the Policing Authority in Waterford city to return to Dublin to deal with the incident.


16:06

Some more information on Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square from Education Editor Carl O’Brien:

The incident took place outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East as children were coming out of the school, which caters to primary-age children.

Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire is a mixed primary school with an enrolment of about 170 pupils.

Staff at the all-Irish school, located at No 4 Parnell Square, declined to comment on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier this year the school celebrated work getting underway on a long-awaited new school building at an event attended by Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minster for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe.

The school started out as an all-Irish secondary school in the 1930s and, later, included a private all-Irish primary school which prepared boys aged 7-12 for entry to second level.

While the preparatory school closed in the 1980s as demand for private primary education dwindled, parents successfully lobbied for a free all-Irish primary school to replace it.

This led to the establishment of Gaelscoil Chólaiste Mhuire n 1988. It became co-educational in the mid-1990s.

It relocated from its home at 23-27 Parnell Square in 2000 and has been awaiting a new permanent school building for two decades, until work finally got underway this year.


15:56

Tim O’Brien has gathered some political reaction:

Members of the Government have expressed shock and offered sympathy to those affected by the stabbings in Dublin this afternoon.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “We are all shocked by the incident which has taken place in Parnell Square. A number of people have been injured, some of them children. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them and their families.

He said the facts around the incident were still emerging. “The emergency services responded very quickly and were on site within minutes. I thank them for that. Gardaí have detained a suspect and are following a definite line of inquiry,” Mr Varadkar said.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply shocked” by the incident “which has left several people injured, including a woman and a number of children”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those injured, their families, friends and the emergency services who responded so quickly at the scene,” he said.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she had been briefed on the “appalling attack on three innocent children and a woman in Dublin today” by the Garda Commissioner

“All our thoughts are with those injured, especially with the children, their parents and families, during this extremely difficult period,” she said.

“It is my understanding that gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry and are not looking for any other person at this time. This attack has shocked us all, and I have no doubt that the person responsible will be brought to justice” she said.

“My thoughts now are with the innocent children and the woman who have been attacked, their families, and those who are caring for them at this time”, she added.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she is horrified at the incident and her thoughts and prayers are with the families and with the staff in Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire.

She said: “There is shock throughout the community.

“I have just spoken to the Principal of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire and relayed my support to the school community.

“I want to send my solidarity to the families of those attacked. As a parent, I can only imagine what they are going through right now.

“The community in the north inner-city stands with them.

“I want to commend the Gardaí for the speed of their response.”

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe, in whose Dáil constituency the stabbings took place, said: “I am aware of an extremely serious incident that has taken place at Parnell Square in my constituency of Dublin Central.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this very serious incident, and their families. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Store Street police station,” he said.


15:51

Some travel disruption has resulted from Parnell Square East being treated as a crime scene by gardaí.

Southbound Dublin Bus routes are diverted via Denmark Street, Gardiner Street, Cathal Brugha Street, O’Connell Street and back on to the normal route, with northbound buses operating as usual.

Bus Éireann routes 103, 109, 109Z, 111 and NX are diverted inbound via Gardiner Street until further notice.


15:34

And here’s the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar:

“We are all shocked by the incident which has taken place in Parnell Square. A number of people have been injured, some of them children. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them and their families.

“I have been in contact with the Minister for Justice who is keeping me updated. The facts in this matter are still emerging. The emergency services responded very quickly and were on site within minutes. I thank them for that. Gardaí have detained a suspect and are following a definite line of inquiry.”


15:32

Local politicians have begun to respond to the news of the incident, including Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

“I am aware of an extremely serious incident that has taken place at Parnell Square in my constituency of Dublin Central,” he said.

“My thought and prayers are with the victims of this very serious incident, and their families. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Store Street police station.”


15:24

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has issued a statement on the incident:

“I am deeply shocked by the appalling attack on three innocent children and a woman in Dublin today.

“All our thoughts are with those injured, especially with the children, their parents and families, during this extremely difficult period.

“I have been briefed by the Garda Commissioner and will remain in close contact with him and senior Gardaí.

“It is my understanding that Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry and are not looking for any other person at this time.

“This attack has shocked us all, and I have no doubt that the person responsible will be brought to justice.

“However, my thoughts now are with the innocent children and the woman who have been attacked, their families, and those who are caring for them at this time.”


15:18

Social Affairs Correspondent Kitty Holland attended the scene after hearing reports of an incident on Parnell Square while covering the Stardust Inquests at the Pillar Room at the Rotunda across the road.

She shared this photographMembers of the Dublin Fire Brigade and other emergency services on the scene. Photograph: Kitty Holland / The Irish Times


15:13

Garda Headquarters said the “serious public order incident” occurred just after 1.30pm and that five injured people had been taken to hospitals in the Dublin region.

“The casualties include an adult male, an adult female and three three young children,” it said. “One child, a girl, has sustained serious injuries, the other two children are being treated for less serious injuries.

“An Garda Síochána is in contact with parents of all three injured children. The adult female is being treated for serious injuries and the adult male for less serious injuries.”

It added the scene remained sealed off and the Garda was following a definite line of inquiry.

Dublin stabbing: how the chaos unfolded on Parnell Square

Journalists rushed from Stardust inquests across the road after a survivor of the blaze told them of the incident

Dublin stabbing: how the chaos unfolded on Parnell Square – The Irish Times

Emergency services at the scene of the stabbing on Parnell Square in Dublin city centre.

Parnell Square East remained cordoned off by midafternoon. Ambulances and fire appliances had left, leaving the scene in the hands of numerous gardaí and detectives

Public order unit and gardai confront protesters on Dublin's O’Connell street in the aftermath of the Parnell square stabbing attack.

 

 

Shortly after 1.40pm on Thursday, journalists covering the Stardust inquests were filing lunchtime copy in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda hospital, where inquests have been under way since April. Deirdre Dames, a survivor of the 1981 fire rushed in, alerting us that someone was “after stabbing kids out there”.

RTÉ’s Conor Hunt and I, along with several others, followed her out to Parnell Square East where there were already four or five ambulances, several Dublin Fire Brigade appliances manned by paramedics and several Garda cars, as sirens blared as more arrived.

Across the road on the pavement outside Delfin English language school, a man in his 50s lay with blood around his face and chest as paramedics tended to him.

Further up towards North Frederick Street, more paramedics were working on a little girl, also lying on the pavement just a little way up from Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire primary school.

She appeared to be about five or six years old. A small pink backpack lay on the ground beside the scene. Her small pink or purple shoes were visible as she was lifted on to a stretcher and into an ambulance.

On steps at the doorway behind a young woman was sitting, crouched over, clearly distressed, leaning into the steps. There was blood on her back and she was helped by paramedics to her feet, on to a stretcher and into an ambulance.

Huge numbers of people still filled the footpaths as gardaí began clearing the scene, pulling ‘crime-scene’ tape across both ends of this side of the square and shouting at onlookers to stop taking photographs and video footage.

Many people were looking on from windows in the high Georgian buildings overlooking the scene as emergency services continued to arrive and medics ran from the Rotunda hospital to the scene, some carrying emergency medical kits.

Eyewitnesses included relatives of those who died in the Stardust, many of whom attend the inquests daily. Some had been getting fresh air and smoking cigarettes at the entrance to the Pillar Room, just across from where the incident unfolded.

Siobhán Kearney heard “screaming” and “spotted a guy with a stabbing motion across the road”, she said.

“So I took across the road and there was fellas there and they pulled the guy off the children. There was a good few kids.” The children were “between the ages of four, five and six, no older” and were “only just after finishing school”.

She said a number of people pulled the alleged perpetrator from “children” kicking him to the ground. “A few people were attacking [him] and me and an American girl formed a ring around the culprit and so the Garda could deal with him in due course.”

Another eyewitness, attending the inquests to support her mother who was due to give evidence on Thursday, said she went over as people were dragging the man from children.

“You could see the stabbing movements. It was frenzied. Someone passed me a little girl. She was hysterical...I passed her into the school. They said a girl had been stabbed.”

Ms Kearney had not seen how seriously injured the little girl was. “I just seen the blood,” she said.

She said emergency services arrived within minutes. An ambulance attended to the children and the injured girl first, with a second, along with fire appliances manned by DFB paramedics on the scene afterward.

A man on a bike or moped took the knife from the man, she continued. “The fellah got the knife. He cut his hand – he threw it across the grass.”

The knife was described as “long” and “about ten inches”, by Ms Kearney. She said the second man tossed the knife to a grass patch under trees, across the road by the Rotunda hospital. She pointed this out to gardaí who removed it from the scene.

Parnell Square East remained cordoned off by midafternoon. Ambulances and fire appliances had left, leaving the scene in the hands of numerous gardaí and detectives.

 

Major public disorder erupted in Dublin in the wake of a stabbing incident that left five people hospitalised, with clashes between groups and police on Parnell Street and O’Connell Street leaving one Garda injured and a number of Garda vehicles damaged

Dublin   Dublin riots    An Garda Síochána    Dublin Stabbing

The Dublin riots: Friday's live news updates ]

 

Dublin riots: Further arrests in city centre on Friday night while McEntee comes under pressure - as it happened

Girl (5) injured in Thursday’s knife attack remains in critical condition; Minister for Justice says gardaí are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage

Dublin riots: Further arrests in city centre on Friday night while McEntee comes under pressure - as it happened – The Irish Times

Police officers patrol the city for a second night to counter violence and unrest in Dublin city centre.

12:53

Summary of Dublin Riots

  • Minister for Justice Helen McEntee says Gardaí are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage and “further arrests are certain”.
  • Ms McEntee insists she will not resign after Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she had no confidence in the Minister.
  • Gardaí maintained a strong presence in Dublin city centre on Friday night where it was tense but calm. There have been a small number of arrests.
  • Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the cost of the riots in Dublin will run into the “tens of millions” and those involved in the violent disorder on Thursday evening will face the full force of the law.
  • He said the knife attack, in which four people were injured, and the subsequent rioting had brought “shame on Ireland”.
  • He also said new laws would be brought in to allow gardaí “make better use” of CCTV footage as evidence and that new hate crime legislation would be introduced.
  • Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the Dublin riots were organised and the Government would now order a review of intelligence gathering.
  • Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the violence was foreseeable and she has called on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to resign.
  • Several schools in Dublin’s north inner city closed at noon on advice from gardaí due to concerns that the violence could resume.
  • The Tánaiste’s comments come after a night of widespread rioting in the city centre that saw violent clashes between large groups of people and gardaí in Dublin.
  • Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said 34 people had been arrested and “many more arrests will follow”.
  • Mr Harris said a riotous mob had caused huge destruction in the city, including the looting of 13 shops, the setting on fire of three buses and one Luas tram , and the damaging of 11 Garda vehicles.
  • Numerous gardaí were injured, one seriously.
  • One Dublin bus driver was dragged from their vehicle by the rioters during the violence.
  • During the unrest, gardaí clashed with gangs of people and social media footage showed individual officers being attacked.
  • The violence followed an attack on several people outside the Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire children’s school in Parnell Square by a man armed with a knife.
  • A girl (5) and a woman in her 30s were seriously injured in the attack. The girl remains in a critical condition on Friday evening. The Irish Times understands the woman was an employee of the school or after-school care facility the children were attending.
  • A six-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy sustained less serious injuries in the attack.
  • The chief suspect, a man in his 40s, was also seriously injured in this incident. Officers said they are not looking for anyone else.
  • Brown Thomas chief executive Donald McDonald expressed sadness and anger at the targeting of the department store by looters last night. The store reopened at noon on Friday.
  • Transport services in Dublin are slowly returning to normal. Transdev, which operates the Luas, said a burned-out tram would be removed today which would allow full services to resume.
  • All Dublin Bus services are operating as normal though some city centre services are being diverted.
  • Join The Irish Times WhatsApp channel for breaking news straight to your phone.

Best reads


22:28
 

That’s a wrap from us for tonight. Thankfully, it is much quieter tonight and gardaí have maintained a heavy presence on the street. Thank you following us tonight.


22:07

Tonight the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar held a reception to mark the end of the Decade of Centenaries which has been going on since 2012.

He thanked those involved for making it a memorable 11 years, but also apologised for being late to arrive having been at a cabinet briefing which went on longer than expected.

The Taoiseach said: “We experienced some terrible events in the city yesterday and last night. I can assure you that it is a city under our control and we will do what we have to do to make sure people feel safe on our streets in the coming weeks and months.”

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin added: “My thought are with those injured in yesterday’s horrific violence in Parnell Square, their families and all who were affected by recent events.

“I also want to thank the first responders for their swift, selfless and brave actions last night. Tonight’s event allows us to come together and reflect on our collective achievements over the last 10 years.

“Here tonight in these historic surroundings, cognisant of the events, it is important to remind ourselves, as others have done, of the values that best reflect who we are as a nation and as a people.

“This was seen yesterday in the actions of the women and men who rallied to the defence of those who had been attacked on Parnell Street and risked their own lives in doing so. It was seen also in the instincts of the care worker who put herself in harm’s way to protect those children.

“These were acts of true selflessness and heroism in the most difficult of circumstances. These are the true values of our nation.”

Ed Fidgeon-Kavanagh.ppt @Clearpreso
That we have to borrow policing equipment is, well... pathetic
 
conor macauley @TVconormac
2 PSNI watercannon on the way to Dublin to assist gardaí with any further public order issues. Sent down under police mutual aid agreement @rtenews

These comments by Elon Musk, the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter and one of the richest men in the world, has not gone down well in Ireland.

The pair have previous. Musk has said he is prepared to take a court challenge against the Government’s hate law legislation. Last April Leo Varadkar told The Sunday Independent that he thought Musk was just “showboating”.

He added: “For example, if Elon Musk or one of his companies was prosecuted for engaging in or inciting hatred or violence against women, or travellers or LGBT+ people or another protected minority, they’d have the option of fighting the case on its merits and also on the law’s constitutionality. But he cannot just challenge a law in the courts and certainly not one that isn’t even a law yet.”


19:46

Government ministers have met to discuss yesterday’s events. In a statement afterwards, they said their first thoughts are with the children and adult who sustained serious injuries.

“In particular, the Ministers’ thoughts were with those who remain in hospital, their families, communities and those caring for them,” it said.

Minister McEntee informed the meeting that An Garda Síochána have a definite line of inquiry and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

The Taoiseach and Minister McEntee updated Ministers on their meeting with the Garda Commissioner in Store Street Garda station this afternoon.

The Taoiseach and Ministers also paid tribute to the professionalism of the Gardaí in restoring law and order in Dublin. “Government strongly supports the work of the Commissioner and the Gardaí in responding to this heinous violence,” it said.

Minister McEntee briefed Ministers that 34 people have been arrested. She indicated that Gardaí are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage and further arrests are certain.

She also briefed that the Recordings Devices Bill will be fast-tracked and enacted in the very near future, allowing body-worn cameras to come into use, and that Budget 2024 allocated additional funding for protective gear. Gardaí are also receiving water cannons this weekend.

Ministers said they supported the Commissioners’ message today that Gardaí have all the powers necessary under the Public Order Acts to deal with the disturbances witnessed on Thursday. “However, the Government remains willing and able to introduce any further provisions that An Garda Síochána deems necessary,” the statement said.

Ministers heard about recent legislative developments and existing legislation:

  • Sentencing for assaulting or obstructing a member of An Garda Síochána which has increased from a maximum of seven to 12 years;
  • Sentencing for assault causing harm has doubled from a maximum of five to ten years;
  • Serious criminal damage, rioting, and violent disorder carry maximum sentences of ten years.

The Taoiseach also informed Ministers that he spoke with the Principal of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, the manager of the Children’s Place Nursery and Montessori, and representatives of the Dublin business community this afternoon.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at a garda briefing in Store Street on Friday night

Amid the widespread violence and destruction last night in Dublin, at least two accommodation centres for asylum seekers and refugees were targeted.

In Finglas, a petrol bomb was thrown through the front of a premises earmarked for refugees in Finglas, setting part of it ablaze.

The premises on North Road had been targeted before by anti-immigration activists. In August last year, shortly after a group of migrants were moved in by the Department of Integration, a group of people forced their way into the premises, filmed asylum seekers and expressed anger at the use of the building.

The building was later vandalised before a decision was taken to move the asylum seekers out for their own safety. There were later plans to use the warehouse-type building to house Ukranian refugees.

Another premises on Parnell Street in the city centre, which was used to accommodate asylum seekers earlier this year, was also targeted in Thursday’s violence.

All the front windows of Dublin City Dorms were smashed by rioters. The premises remained shuttered on Friday.

It was previously targeted by vandals in January after messages spread on far-right groups it was being used to accommodate asylum seekers.

Fiona Hurley, chief executive of the migrant and refugee rights group Nasc, said it was “disgraceful that people are being subjected to danger, violence and hatred, in the very place that they are supposed to be protected”.

19:43

Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent, writes: Gardaí maintained a strong presence in Dublin city centre on Friday night where it was tense but calm. Large amounts of public order and uniformed members were in place close to The Spire on O’Connell Street. Gardaí have been moving on groups of youths and there have been a small number of arrests.


17:42

Political correspondent Harry McGee reports:

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said there is no question of her resigning in the light of the serious outbreak of violence and vandalism that occurred in Dublin city Centre on Thursday.

At a media interview outside Government Buildings, Ms McEntee defended her tenure and record as Minister when asked a number of times if it would be appropriate for her to resign following the violence.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has called for her resignation.

“I will not [resign],” she said. “I am absolutely committed to my work.

“The only people who are responsible for the absolute chaos that we saw ... are the mindless thugs and an awful act against an innocent group of young schoolchildren.

Ms McEntee also strongly defended the Garda response to the violence as it escalated throughout the evening and again expressed confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

“We had the largest number of gardaí in public order unit gear that has ever been deployed before and this happened in a very short space of time.

“They managed to contain what was a very volatile situation into a very short area within our city centre. The scenes were absolutely horrific.

“I don’t think anybody thought they would see those kinds of scenes on our main thoroughfare However, it’s important to remember the gardaí maintained this level of violence to a small area within our city centre.

“And they were able to stop it, and to to restore order to our city in a very short space of time.”

She said 32 people were before the courts today and there would be “absolutely” further arrests.

The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) says it is alarmed by the “organised violence, intimidation, looting and vandalism” that broke out on the streets of Dublin.

MASI also referenced a voice note circulating on Telegram calling for foreign nationals to be killed. The organisation criticised the “vilification of the Algerian community as well as all foreign nationals who call Ireland home.

“No human being is responsible for the actions of another, even if it is their twin. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horror who are hospitalised and their loved ones.”


17:09

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said it was extremely concerned at reports that people espousing far-right ideology sought to exploit the tragic crime which occurred on Parnell Square East yesterday, in order to foment anti-immigrant sentiment. Collective action by the State, and civil society, is required over a sustained period to tackle racism and to prevent further polarisation of our society.

Chief Commissioner Sinéad Gibney said: “The exploitation by far-right elements of social issues such as the housing crisis, or the accommodation of people seeking international protection in Ireland, has been a worrying trend for some time. It is critical that we, as a society, do not allow this hateful, divisive ideology to infect our communities and our politics.

“So many of us, all around Ireland, have shown how welcoming we are to people from around the world who have come to live and work here. We have to be vigilant, and work to ensure that this practical solidarity continues, and is not undermined by those who only seek to sow division and hate.

“The commission extends its heartfelt sympathies to the children and care worker who were injured on Parnell Square East, and wishes them a full recovery.”

Garrett FitzGerald @FitzgGer
1/4 My 6 year old son was part of a group of junior and senior infants who were attacked yesterday as they walked to their after school on Parnell Square.
Nicky Ryan @NickyRyan_
Here’s what’s now left of the burnt-out Luas on O’Connell Street.
 
Irish Dominicans @irishdominicans
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ANNOUNCEMENT The following events, due to take place tonight in St Saviour's Church, Dublin, have been cancelled: - Mass in Polish at 7pm, and Polish confessions. - Holy Hour from 8pm. If you are in contact with people who normally attend, please do let them know.
 
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“I’m proud to be Irish but I’m even more proud to be an immigrant” @MiaKatja reacts to the violence in Dublin City last night #IrelandAM
 

Conor Pope reports: “There was a queue of shoppers outside Arnott’s on Dublin’s Henry St as it got ready for a delayed reopening at midday on Friday after a night of rioting which saw it targeted by looters.

The retailer was “delighted” to see people showing their support with the chief executive Donald McDonald saying earlier in the day that a store that has stood in the city centre for 180 years would not have its spirit broken by the actions of a handful of violent criminals.

Despite the evident solidarity, a day which had promised much for retailers across Dublin and had looked likely to kick start the Christmas shopping season in earnest was considerably bleaker as a result of fears the violent scenes on Thursday would bring significant financial pain to hundreds of businesses across the city and risk making it a no-go area in the run-up to Christmas.


15:56

Transdev, the company that runs the Luas, has said it hopes it may have normal city centre services resumed tomorrow morning but that is highly dependent on whether the overhead power lines pass muster.

A spokeswoman explained that technical crews have been in the city all day, initially pushing the vandalised tram back to its Broombridge depot, a lengthy operation, and then testing overhead power lines and tracks.

The Red Line services are only operating from Tallaght-Saggart to Smithfield, with no service operating between Smithfield and Connolly or The Point. Similar disruption on the Green Line means services are only operating from Brides Glen to St Stephen’s Green, with nothing between the latter and Broombridge.

Removing the burnt-out tram, the cost of which is currently being assessed, was an arduous operation that initially saw it being pushed by a rail vehicle to meet up with another tram which then tow-pushed it to the depot.

“That would have been one of our key milestones to achieve, to get that tram out to Broombridge,” the spokeswoman said.


15:53

RTÉ's crime correspondent Paul Reynolds is reporting that An Garda Síochána has secured the use of two water cannons from the PSNI.

The water cannons will be used in the event of a repeat of last night’s violence.

Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley tweeted earlier today: “Is it time for the State to purchase a couple of water cannons as back up to our Gardai in dealing with thugs intent on causing riots?”


15:48

Irish Times political correspondent Cormac McQuinn reports. An Garda Síochána has responded to comments by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon’s that they have no confidence in Commissioner Drew Harris.

In a statement from the press office, it said: “As an apolitical organisation, An Garda Síochána does not comment on remarks by third-parties.”

However, it added that the Commissioner Harris warned about the rise of the far-right in Ireland and the threat it posed to the country as far back as 2019 and it included a link to an Irish Times article which reported remarks made by Mr Harris at a 2019 meeting of the Policing Authority.

He raised concern at the time about far right activity saying: “We now see it starting to arrive on our shores.

“We’re very acutely aware of it and we’re very acutely aware there’s a policing response, and indeed an intelligence response, that we need to have to thwart that particular threat.”

The Garda statement added: “until yesterday, An Garda Síochána had made 50 arrests this year largely related to illegal activity at anti-migration protests.

“Following yesterday evening’s policing operation involving approximately 400 Gardaí, 34 individuals were arrested and further arrests are expected.”


15:46

The Methodist Church in Ireland has said it is “appalled at the actions of far right elements in our society who immediately used online networks to bring more people on to the streets to exercise aggression that made the city unsafe, destroyed property and infrastructure and endangered life.

“Far right groups have been active at protests at libraries and temporary accommodation centres and feel emboldened. We call on the Minister of Justice, Garda Commissioner and our politicians to ensure a robust response.

“The Methodist Church has previously spoken about the danger of racist language and aggression. We stand against all narratives that divide people on the basis of race and nationality or that undermine social cohesion and law and order.

“We grapple with having seen our society at its ugliest and yet we have also seen the best in those who risked their personal safety by standing in the way of harm to the children. As a multi-ethnic church, we have been enriched by the diversity of Ireland. It is important to reiterate that each one who has made Ireland their home belongs here.”

The statement is signed by Rev David Turtle, the president of the Methodist Church in Ireland and Rev Stephen Foster, the chair of the Southern Executive of the Council on Social Responsibility.


15:37

Dublin City Council chief executive Richard Shakespeare has expressed his “deepest sympathies” following the events of Parnell Square and in the city centre.

“The city is in shock today following the attack and the extreme violence seen on our streets last night. Like you all, I was disgusted at the thuggery displayed by a group of people with no regard for Dublin, our emergency services and our citizens,” he stated.

“As chief executive, I am very proud of the response from our operational staff and would like to acknowledge the commitment they have shown. I want to reassure everyone that our city is open for business and we will continue to work closely with all agencies involved to ensure that remains the case.”

Operational staff from the council’s waste management section were on the ground since 3am this morning. Between 6am and 9am the number of staff deployed to clean the city-centre was trebled to more than 130 people and staff were redeployed from the suburbs to help.

Traffic management and control staff have been working on the ground and in the traffic control centre throughout the night and today managing the diversion of traffic flows. The North and South Quays have now reopened, O’Connell Street Northbound is still closed as is the west side of O’Connell Bridge.

Public Lighting crews are in the city assessing the damage and repairing and replacing damaged infrastructure.

Dublin City Council also met the city’s business representatives earlier today.

Reeves Fox of Park Villas, Longford pictured leaving Dublin District Court this afternoon after he appeared there on breach of the peace and possession of knives charges in relation to last night's riots in Dublin city centre.. 

15:32

Conor Gallagher reports: In an internal message to gardaí today, Commissioner Drew Harris commended members for this bravery and warned the force may face similar situations again.

The full message here:

“Colleagues, Yesterday, we saw awful events in Dublin- the attack on schoolchildren and their teacher, but also then the violence into the evening both at our cordon point and then the city centre.

“I really want to commend and thank all those Gardaí who deployed in the city centre to keep the peace and bring offenders to justice.

“You all did a tremendous job, a very courageous job, and it was done with great professionalism.

“Obviously, we suffered damage to vehicles, but more worryingly, Gardaí suffered injuries as well. I want to point out that we have a full array of welfare and wellbeing facilities open to you.

“Please avail of them if you feel you need to.”

“And as we look forward, it might be that we face, regrettably, similar situations again.”

“All of you may be called upon to do our duty, to do our collective duty, to keep the people of Ireland safe. That can involve at times the use of our coercive powers not only to protect society, but also to protect yourselves.

“I want to say that you have my full support in all that you are doing in terms of the professionalism and our courageous response to outrageous behaviour and violence. Thank you all very much.”


15:30

Pól Hansard, the principal of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, said they are “deeply shocked and saddened by yesterday’s serious incident that has impacted our school community.

He added: “Our thoughts are with our pupils and our creche worker colleague who were injured and their families. The wider school community who are affected by this incident are also in our thoughts.

“Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our critical incident management plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have been with us, supporting and advising the staff in our efforts to assist our school community. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”


15:29

Gardaí are “risk assessing” the Katie Taylor boxing match scheduled to take place in the Three Arena tomorrow but as of now there are no plans to cancel it in the wake of Thursday’s violence in the city centre.

Senior sources said while there are some concerns the fight could be a focal point of disorderly behaviour, there is no plan to withdraw its licence as of Friday afternoon.

This may change if there is repeat violence in the city centre on Friday evening, sources said.

Dublin city remained calm on Friday afternoon. There is a heavy presence of uniform and public order gardaí around the city.


14:59

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she has no confidence in the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris nor the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee following Thursday night’s “catastrophic” events.

She said the idea that the violence was unforeseeable was “nonsense – these hate filled mobs have threatened and brought violence to our streets before. This shouldn’t have happened and – let me be very clear – it can never happen again.

“The people of Dublin need to know that those in charge of Government and the head of An Garda Síochána are capable of ensuring that it never happens again.

She had spoken to the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and informed them there had been an “unacceptable failure to keep people safe last night. However, we all know this problem didn’t start last night. This has been building for months.

“Sinn Féin has been highlighting the crisis in policing in Dublin city for a long time because we do not have enough Gardaí. Let me say it plainly – people do not feel safe in Dublin city Centre. I do not say the following lightly, but it must be said. I have no confidence in how Dublin is being policed. The people of this city have the right to be safe on their streets, in their homes and in their communities.”

 
 
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The Dublin riots made unwelcome headlines around the world, appearing on many front pages.

The Times and The Daily Telegraph both featured the riots on the front page of their print editions. The Telegraph is running a live blog on the story, describing it as the “worst disorder in decades” seen in Dublin. The paper quotes Britain’s Levelling Up minister Michael Gove who described the stabbing incident as “horrific” and the riots which followed it as “shocking”.

“People in Dublin endured two terrible attacks yesterday,” Gove was quoted as saying in the newspaper. “So first of all, there was the horrific knife assault. That crime is being investigated, and it would be wrong for anyone to speculate further at the moment. But then later, there was an attack on the rule of law and legitimate authority.”

He added: “It’s more shocking because it’s so rare in Ireland, and the Garda Commissioner and his team, I think, responded in an exemplary fashion to this small flashpoint.”

The Times noted that gardaí are expecting more violence tonight and are assessing how to respond.

The riots made the front page of The New York Times website. “A violent clash between rioters and police in central Dublin on Thursday injured several police officers, one seriously, and prompted the arrests of 34 people,” the paper reported.

“Rioters set fire to police vehicles, destroyed public buses and looted or damaged more than a dozen shops, the Garda said. A mob had gathered in the city centre following a knife attack that had seriously injured a female schoolteacher and three young children.

“The escalating unrest appalled the authorities, who blamed a far-right faction for fuelling tensions by spreading misinformation about the knife attack.”

The Dublin riots was the fourth most read story on The Washington Post website on Thursday. “Ireland’s police chief on Friday described the unrest in central Dublin, in which double-decker buses, trams and police cars were torched, as ‘scenes that we have not seen in decades’,” it stated.

“The violence and looting through some of Dublin’s most famous streets began after a stabbing attack outside a school that left five people hospitalised, including three young children and a woman. Police detained a man who is also being treated for injuries. What police later identified as far-right protesters then took to the streets of Dublin, setting vehicles ablaze and clashing with police.”

The French newspaper Le Figaro stated that the “Irish capital went up in flames this Thursday at the end of the day, after a knife attack near a school which left four injured, including three children.

“Police officers stoned, vehicles burned, stores looted ... Dublin descended into chaos this Thursday, November 23 at the end of the day, scene of violent riots in reaction to an attack that occurred earlier in the afternoon.

“The head of the police in the Irish capital spoke of events not seen for “decades” and announced several arrests.”

Germany’s mass-market tabloid Bild described the disturbances as “serious riots”.

The paper added: “According to a reporter from the British news channel Sky News, hundreds of people, some of whom were masked, were said to have taken part in the riots. Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee spoke of ‘thugs, criminals who are using this horrific attack to sow division and cause chaos’.

‘This will not be tolerated,’ she said

“Police Chief Drew Harris blamed the violence on a ‘completely insane group’ driven by a ‘far-right ideology’. He warned against the spread of ‘disinformation’.

“The atmosphere on social media apparently also contributed to the escalation of the situation. According to Harris, there was a ‘huge amount’ of speculation online about the nationality of the alleged attacker. He called on people to ignore ‘disinformation and rumours circulating on social media’. The facts still need to be clarified.”

In the left-leaning Spanish daily El País, columnist Rafael de Miguel wrote: “The citizens of Ireland, an island that has always boasted of being a welcoming country, refuse to admit that the same ultra and xenophobic plague that runs through much of Europe has reached its shores. “Screw them. These pitiful thugs are not us. They do not act for us or speak for us or burn buses for us,” analyst Fintan O’Toole wrote angrily after a long night of violence and fire in the centre of Dublin.

“Many Irish prefer to identify with the Brazilian worker from the Deliveroo delivery company who attacked with his helmet the suspect of stabbing three children and a woman in the early afternoon, in front of a primary school, than with the hundreds of vandals who set fire to the streets and shouted against the immigrants. Police have arrested 34 people for rioting and looting in the city. The authorities anticipate new protests in the coming days, so the presence of agents on the streets will be reinforced.”


14:57

Garda Representative Association general secretary Ronan Slevin said a number of members of the force suffered “quite serious” injuries in the riots.

He added: “Yesterday, garda members from all over the country went to Dublin to provide support for their colleagues in an extremely volatile and dangerous situation and we wish to commend all those members who put the safety of their fellow gardaí and the public in advance of their own.

“The Garda Commissioner this morning spoke of reflection required on the tactics employed in such public order situations and we would of course welcome a thorough review with input from our members on the frontline.

“We at the Garda Representative Association have long called for greater resources, better training and to be more appropriately equipped for such events – both in terms of safety equipment and with technology such as body worn recording devices.

“These are issues that we will continue to raise with garda management as well as the ongoing recruitment crisis but at this time we would like to wish our members injured in yesterday’s rioting a speedy recovery and assure them of our full solidarity and support. We need to ensure that all our members are properly protected for their own safety and that of the public.”


14:29

Calls for ‘sustained Garda presence on Dublin city centre streets

Publicans have called for changes in policing strategy to ensure there is a “high profile, sustained Garda presence on Dublin streets throughout the city centre”.

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), which represents Dublin publicans, paid tribute to the bravery displayed by the members of the Garda, as well as other emergency responders. However, it said major changes to boost safety on the streets are needed.

“As everyone who is concerned about Dublin sets about repairing the damage done to the city, we have to take a longer-term, strategic approach to what steps can be taken to ensure lasting solutions. We believe it is essential that the policing strategy is adjusted so that there is now a high profile, sustained Garda presence on Dublin streets throughout the city centre on a permanent basis,” said Donall O’Keeffe, LVA chief executive.

“This needs to be put in place immediately for the key trading period through to new year, but it also has to amount to a lot more than a short-term response. That means maintaining the presence throughout 2024 and beyond. The LVA has been pressing for the need for higher visibility policing throughout the city for many months and the events on Thursday night once again emphasised why this is essential for the longer term maintenance of public order in our capital.”


14:16

Update: Gardaí search address of chief suspect in stabbing attack

Gardai on duty outside the General Post Office (GPO) in O'Connell street today, following a night of violent protests

Gardaí investigating the stabbing attack on children in Dublin city centre have searched the accommodation of the chief suspect in the case, writes Conor Lally.

The man’s laptop and telephone have also been seized for searching as gardaí try to establish a motive for the attack.

The suspect, who is in his late 40s and is a naturalised Irish citizen, has lived at different addresses around Dublin.

Gardaí believe he is a single man with no children in Ireland, where he has lived for about two decades. As the motive for the attack, at about 1.30pm on Thursday on Parnell Square East, has not been established, gardaí have not ruled out a mental health episode or a terror-related link.

You can read Conor’s full report here.


14:09

Calls for ‘day of solidarity’ outside GPO on Monday next

Debris is cleared from a burned out Luas and bus on O'Connell Street in Dublin, in the aftermath of violent scenes in the city centre on Thursday evening

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has called on workers to join a demonstration at the GPO at 1pm on Monday to show solidarity with the people of Dublin and “to clearly denounce this violence”.

Owen Reidy, Ictu general secretary, condemned the “looting and vandalism”, which had damaged businesses and could leave retail and hospitality workers at risk of losing their jobs as a result.

The senior trade union official called for workers to join a demonstration at the GPO at 1pm on Monday to show solidarity with the people of Dublin and “to clearly denounce this violence”.


13:59

Online fund for Deliveroo driver who intervened in stabbing tops €25,000 in five hours

Brazilian Deliveroo driver Caio Benicio who helped on the scene of yesterday's stabbing on Parnell Square.

An online fundraising page set up to “buy a pint” for the Brazilian deliveryman Caio Benicio, who intervened in the Parnell Square stabbing, has raised €25,000 in the space of five hours.

The Gofundme page was set up by Paul Darcy. “The man’s a hero and the least we can do is buy him a pint so I’m asking you to donate the price of a pint of Guinness in your local to Caio so that he knows the people of Dublin appreciate him,” he wrote.

You can read our interview with Caio Benicio here. “I used my helmet as a weapon to stop him. He fell to the ground. People started crying,” he said.


13:50

Dozens appear in court on public order and other charges following Dublin rioting

23/11/2023 - NEWS - Gardai Confront Rioters at the top of Dublins O’Connell St after riots broke out in the aftermath of a knife attack on Parnell Square

Dublin District Court is hearing more than 30 public order and other cases arising from the disturbances in the capital’s city centre on Thursday, reports Colm Keena.

By lunchtime on Friday, about 20 people had already been brought from custody before the court and charged with public order and other offences, with a total of more than 30 cases expected before the close of business.

All so far have been granted bail on condition that they do not attend organised or unorganised gatherings in the city until the matter before the court is dealt with.

You can read his full report here.

Burned out vehicles and a Luas in Dublin city centre on Friday morning after rioting in the capital on Thursday night. Photograph: Conor Pope

Burned out vehicles and a Luas in Dublin city centre on Friday morning after rioting in the capital on Thursday night.

Cost of riots will run into “the tens of millions” – Taoiseach

The cost of the riots on Dublin’s streets on Thursday will run into “the tens of millions”, Taoiseach Leo Varakdar has said, writes Mark Hennessy.

“The cars destroyed, the trams and buses damaged, we don’t have a figure on that yet, but it is likely to be in the tens of millions, not millions,” he said.

The Taoiseach was speaking after a British Irish Council meeting in Dublin Castle, though a dinner for the political leaders on Thursday night ended early because of the riots.

Help will be offered to the businesses that suffered damages and loss, he said: “We’ll have to work out the details depending on whether they’re covered by insurance or not.”

Senior British minister, Michael Gove said the people of Dublin had suffered two terrible events on Thursday – the Parnell Square stabbings and the later rioting.

“Later there was an attack on the rule of law, and legitimate authority. It was a really small group of people,” he told journalists in Dublin Castle.

“Behaviour of that kind is unacceptable wherever it happens and it’s more shocking because it is so rare, you know, in Ireland,” he said.

The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his team had responded to the Dublin disturbances in “an exemplary fashion”, he declared.

“It is a mark of Ireland that this is so rare. It is a mark of Ireland that people responded so quickly and it is a mark of Ireland that there has been universal revulsion,” he said.


13:25

Broken windows at the Asics shop near the Spire on O’Connell Street.

Political reaction: calls for resignations in wake of last night’s violence

The positions of both Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris are “untenable” in the wake of the rioting in Dublin, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has claimed, Cormac McQuinn reports.

The Dublin Central TD argued that every single available Garda unit should have been brought to the city after “far right agitators” began circulating plans to assemble on social media on Thursday afternoon.

He accused Mr Harris of downplaying the threat of the far-right over the last 18 months citing protests at refugee reception centres and at libraries.

He also claimed that the Commissioner’s approach has been that they cannot be confronted “for fear of escalation”.

Mr Gannon said: “That has proved last night to be a grotesque failure on the part of the highest echelons of the An Garda Síochána.”

He said he wanted Ms McEntee to come before the Dáil to “tell us how this situation was allowed to happen”.

Separately, a nine-strong regional group of TDs has urged the suspension of the Dáil to debate last night’s “disturbing incidents”.

The regional group of TDs submitted a formal request to the Ceann Comhairle today, urging the suspension of all other business in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday next to ensure a comprehensive debate on these urgent matters.

“The right of children to be safe in their communities, as well as the safety of all, must be a top priority,” the nine TDs said in a joint statement. “The group strongly emphasises that there is no place in society for mob mentality, violence, stirring of hatred ideologies and destruction. Members of the regional group commend the bravery of emergency services personnel and condemn the attacks on them as they worked to protect the public during the recent incidents.”


13:15

Update: what is and isn’t open for business today

Workers clear up inside a Foot Locker shoe shop that was looted during the November 23 violent protests on O'Connell Street.

Following the violence and looting which broke out in Dublin city centre on Thursday evening, some services are resuming as normal, while others are opting to close early, reports Jade Wilson.

Retail, cinemas and theatres

Most retailers remained open on Friday, unless advised otherwise by authorities, said Arnold Dillon, director of Retail Ireland.

“At the moment, shops are open for business, but if the situation changes, they will follow the advice of gardaí,” he said.

Retail Ireland was “deeply shocked” by the violence on Thursday evening, he said in a statement, adding: “There is massive concern about the impact on staff, the cost of repairing damage and replacing stock”.

Brown Thomas reopened at noon on Friday, as chief executive Donald McDonald expressed sadness and anger at the targeting of the department store by looters last night.

Arnotts Department store on Henry Street, which was looted during the riots last night, reopened for business at noon and would remain open until 6pm, Mr McDonald said.

An Post said the GPO on O’Connell Street reopened for all business at noon, with the later opening time allowing for the clean-up operation in the city centre and resumption of public transport for staff and customers.

Some shops on Grafton Street said they intended to close early to allow staff to get home safely in the event any more protests resumed or in case of further disruptions to public transport.

The Light House cinema in Smithfield said it would be closing at the earlier time of 6pm “for the safety of our staff and patrons”.

All pre-booked tickets for impacted shows will be refunded, the cinema said in a statement.

Other cinemas in Dublin’s city centre had not indicated any intention to close early as of Friday afternoon.

The Gate Theatre cancelled its performance of Peter Pan on Thursday evening due to the unrest in the area, but it had not indicated any intention to cancel Friday performances, as of the afternoon time.

The Abbey Theatre said Pegeen’s cafe and the theatre building were “open as normal” on Friday, and its production of The Quare Fellow would go ahead as planned on Friday evening.

“Should anything change with any performances, we will contact ticket holders directly,” it said in a statement, adding: “We are thinking of all our neighbours in Dublin 1 this morning”.

Public transport

Transport services in Dublin are slowly returning to normal. Transdev, which operates the Luas, said a burned out tram would be removed today which would allow full services to resume.

All Dublin Bus services are operating as normal though some city centre services are being diverted.

Schools

Several schools in Dublin’s north inner city confirmed on Friday that they closed early, between 11.30 and 12pm, on advice from gardaí and the Department of Education.

One principal said there was fear large groups would return to the city centre in the afternoon to begin more protests in the area.

Schools in other parts of the city centre and further afield were remaining open as normal.

Hospitals

The Rotunda Hospital, which had advised against travelling to the hospital on Thursday “unless necessary” due to the unrest, said patients who had an appointment on Friday should come in as scheduled.

Outpatient services and scheduled procedures would go ahead on Friday, it said. While there were diversions around O’Connell Street, Parnell Street and Parnell Square, traffic could reach the Rotunda, the hospital said in a statement.

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital requested that the public “do not visit the hospital at this time”. Restrictions at the hospital would be in place from Friday for 72 hours, it said. “The only visitors who will be allowed on campus are those who are visiting patients in critical care, vulnerable young adults, psychiatry patients or those whose loved ones are receiving end of life care,” it said.


12:59

‘Staff have been working since 3am’: Clean up in Dublin continues

The Dublin Lord Mayor called yesterday "a really dark day for Dublin" as rioters and looters burnt out out public transport and attacked Gardai

Clean-up work has been taking place in Dublin as the city comes to terms with last night’s violence, reports Conor Pope.

Dublin Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste said that while last night was a “really dark day for Dublin”, council staff have been working since early morning to clear away debris and burnt vehicles. You can read more of Conor’s report here.


12:25

Garda public order unit returns to O’Connell Street

The Garda public order unit on call near the Spire on O’Connell street the day after a stabbing incident in Dublin that left five people hospitalised which sparked riots in the city centre afterwards.

Members of the Garda’s public order unit have returned to O’Connell Street this afternoon, Conor Gallagher reports. While the street is calm at present and clean-up work is continuing, concerns over a repeat of last night’s unrest have led to early school closures and the cancellation of a number of Christmas parties and events in the city-centre.


12:12

Some schools in Dublin north inner city close early

Several schools in Dublin’s north inner city confirmed to The Irish Times on Friday that they were closing early, on advice from gardaí and the Department of Education, Jade Wilson reports.

Most schools affected closed at around 12pm. One principal said there were fears that large groups would return to the city centre in the afternoon to begin more protests in the area.


12:12

‘It is vital that there is no repeat of what happened yesterday’

More reaction continues to roll in this afternoon:

Arnold Dillon, director of Retail Ireland, said the business group was “deeply shocked” for the violence.

“There is massive concern about the impact on staff, the cost of repairing damage and replacing stock,” he said.

“A strong, assertive and visible Gardai response is required. It is vital that there is no repeat of what happened yesterday,” he said.

Mary Rose Burke, chief executive of Dublin Chamber business group, said threats to public safety must be dealt with “swiftly”.


12:11

‘We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff’

Bernard Gloster, chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), said the five extra ambulance crews were called in to assist Dublin Fire Brigade’s ambulances.

“I want to thank all of our staff for the work they did in very difficult circumstances,” he said.

“The scenes visible on the streets of Dublin last night have implications far beyond what people can see and this impacts all public services including healthcare for the majority of law abiding citizens,” he said.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff as they go about their work and I am certainly concerned for them when even a small number of people act with intent on causing violence, harm and disruption,” he said.


11:19

‘I’m an immigrant too’: Deliveroo rider speaks about intervening in Parnell stabbing

11:10

In a statement, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) described the riots as “outrageous thuggery”, while paying tribute to emergency services and council and transport workers.

Owen Reidy, Ictu general secretary, condemned the “looting and vandalism”, which had damaged businesses and could leave retail and hospitality workers at risk of losing their jobs as a result.

The senior trade union official called for workers to join a demonstration at the GPO at 1pm on Monday to show solidarity with the people of Dublin and “to clearly denounce this violence”.


10:51

The chief executive of Brown Thomas and Arnotts, Donald McDonald, has expressed sadness and anger that “Dublin’s department store” was targeted by looters last night, but he stressed that a retailer that has stood in the city centre for 180 years would not have its spirit broken by the actions of the rioters, Conor Pope reports.

Mr McDonald said he was “shocked and saddened by the tragic attack on a woman and children at Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire in Parnell Square and the subsequent terrible events last night in Dublin city centre”.

Looters broke into Arnotts via the Abbey Street entrance shortly after it closed and began ransacking limited parts of the store.

“We prioritised customer and team safety and made a timely decision to close the store early yesterday evening,” Mr McDonald said.

“Thankfully nobody was hurt in the events that unfolded at Arnotts and all our team members and customers, while shaken, are safe.”

He noted the rioters “may have damaged our store and stolen some merchandise, but they can never damage the Arnotts spirit – we will not allow them”.


10:41

The clean up of Dublin city centre following the riots continues into the morning, here are some best photos taken today of the aftermath of the chaos on Thursday night.

Burned out vehicles and a Luas in Dublin city centre on Friday morning after rioting in the capital on Thursday night. Photograph: Conor Pope

Burned-out vehicles and a Luas in Dublin city centre on Friday morning after rioting in the capital on Thursday night 

10:37

Young girl injured in stabbing remains in ‘critical’ condition

In an update, Garda Headquarters said the five-year-old girl who was stabbed in the Parnell Square attack remained in a “critical condition” in Temple Street children’s hospital.

The other injured girl (6) continues to be treated for less serious injuries, while the boy (5) was discharged from hospital on Thursday evening.

The woman carer (30s) who intervened to try to stop the attack remains in a “serious condition” in the Mater hospital.

The suspect in the attack, who is in his late 40s, also remains in a “serious condition” in hospital, according to the Garda.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone with information on the attack to call Mountjoy Garda station (01 666 8600), the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111) or any Garda station.


10:25

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said the riots in Dublin city were organised, prompting Government to now order a review of intelligence gathering, Ireland and Britain editor Mark Hennessy reports.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin Castle, the Fianna Fáil leader condemned the rioters. “The better part of our nature must now show itself, the views of the vast, vast majority of the Irish people,” he said.

“People have no time for the type of lawlessness, rioting and attacks on our gardaí, fire services, bus drivers that happened last night.

“When you attack buses, when you attack a Luas, when you attack shops, you’re attacking your own community. You are attacking family, you are attacking friends, you are attacking workers,” he said, in advance of a meeting of the British-Irish Council.

Gardaí assembling evidence after the Parnell Square stabbings and emergency crews were quickly attacked by those who claim that they were protesting, he said. “That is something that cannot be condoned and must be condemned. The scene of any violent incident should always be preserved,” he said.

Defending the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in the face of criticisms about the speed of the Garda response, Mr Martin said gardaí had been quickly on the scene and dealt with a difficult situation.


09:56

Crime correspondent Conor Gallagher reports that three gardaí were hospitalised during the riots – several suffered broken toes and fingers, and one suffered more serious injuries.


09:52

Some quick-fire analysis from our political correspondent Harry McGee, who is down covering Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s press conference this morning:

The Taoiseach has been taking questions for the past few minutes, and he has said he has full confidence in the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

The thrust of his responses have been the Government is looking to strengthen laws to prevent any recurrence of such events.

Mr Varadkar has honed in, in particular, on modernising incitement to hatred legislation, which he has said is not fit for the social media age. He also says changes will be made to laws on gathering CCTV evidence to ensure gardaí have access to all images.


09:39

Government to pass new CCTV laws to take actions against rioters

Speaking this morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government will seek to pass new laws in the coming weeks “to enable the gardaí to make better use of the CCTV they collected” during the riots and prosecute those involved.

Mr Varadkar said legislation for hate crime would also be brought before the Oireachtas in response to the riots.

“It’s now very obvious to anyone who would have doubted it that our incitement to hatred legislation is not up to date for the social media age,” he said.

The “criminals” rioting last night were not acting out of patriotism, but as they were “filled with hate”, he said.

“We will pass new laws in the coming weeks to enable the gardaí to make better use of the CCTV they collected yesterday,” he said. The “full resources of the State” would be brought to bear on those involved, he said.

“As a Government we will be relentless in protecting our citizens and defending our people,” he said.

The Fine Gael leader said the care assistant injured in the stabbing on Parnell Square had used her body to shield injuries against other children.

He said the person who carried out the attack was “intent on murder”, adding that gardaí have obtained his computer.

Mr Varadkar has said he has full confidence in Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

There should be “no criticism” of the gardaí or Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, he said.

He said a number of gardaí were injured last night, most of whose injuries were minor, but he said one garda sustained a serious injury to his foot.

Mr Varadkar accepted that any incitement to hatred legislation could not be applied retrospectively and could not be used in respect to the events of Thursday night.

There would be a considerable Garda presence in the city centre on Friday night, and Mr Varadkar urged people who had planned to come into the city on Friday night to go ahead with their plans and not change them.

The Taoiseach addressed concerns that people of colour in Ireland might be afraid of what they saw last night, as some rioters shouted anti-immigrant slogans.

“I want them to know what they witnessed yesterday was the work of a tiny majority and was not representative of the vast majority of Irish people,” Mr Varadkar said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media at Dublin Castle this morning following the riots.

09:32

The Rotunda Hospital has advised people that if they have an appointment at the maternity hospital today that outpatient and scheduled procedures are still going ahead.

There are some traffic diversions around Parnell Square, parts of which has been cordoned off as gardaí continue to investigate the stabbing attacks that took place on there Thursday, however traffic is able to reach the hospital.


09:26

Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME, who represent small and medium businesses, said the justice system needed to “take a serious look” at how he said it had permitted the “erosion of confidence in the rule of law”.

“Retail staff are not afraid of immigrants, they are afraid of unrestrained thuggery, violence and theft that occurs daily in their stores,” he said.


09:04
Dublin stunned after dark day of violence
 
The streets of Dublin city centre were ablaze on Thursday night, with at least one Garda vehicle, a double-decker bus and a Luas tram set alight and several shops looted.In the wake of the stabbing attack on several schoolchildren on Parnell Square, a major riot broke out on O’Connell Street, the city centre’s main thoroughfare, and surrounding streets.Large numbers of gardaí were mobilised in an attempt to restore order, clashing with large groups of rioters. The shops broken into and looted include Arnotts and Footlocker.Crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher and reporter Jack Power covered the stabbing attack and witnessed the riot. They talk to In the News producer Declan Conlon.

08:50

There were no Dublin Fire Brigade personnel injured on Thursday night during the riot, a spokesman has said.


08:29

Conor Pope, consumer affairs correspondent, reports from Dublin city centre this morning:

The smell of burning plastic and rubber is still hanging in the air at the top of O’Connell St as two burnt-out buses sit on top of articulated lorries, and maintenance crews slowly sift through the wreckage of a Luas tram that was set on fire last night.

The shock on the faces of passersby is evident as they take in the scale of the destruction just opposite the Gresham Hotel.

Hundreds of council workers who have been on site since 3am have been clearing the streets of the detritus of the riots with the dozens of gardaí standing sentry duty outside some of the most badly looted shops.

The north Quays at O’Connell Bridge remain blocked, but there is some traffic moving along O’Connell Street.

Burned out vehicles and a Luas in Dublin city centre on Friday morning after rioting in the capital on Thursday night. Photograph: Conor Pope

Burned-out vehicles and a Luas in Dublin city centre on Friday morning after rioting in the capital on Thursday night.

08:28

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the riot that “wreaked havoc” in Dublin was the actions of a “violent mob of thugs and criminals”.

Gardaí would now comb through thousands of hours of CCTV footage to bring charges against people involved in the riots, she said.

Discussions online about any further protests would be monitored by the Garda, she told Morning Ireland.

Ms McEntee said her thoughts were with the victims of the stabbing attack on Parnell Square.

“I think people are trying to get their heads around what has happened ... the fact that such innocent small children were attacked in this way,” she said. “This was a situation that unfolded in a matter of seconds,” she said.


08:15

The five-year-old girl who was seriously injured in the Parnell Square stabbing is “still in a very serious condition”, as is a carer who was also injured, Mr Harris said.


08:13

“There is no failure here, this is regrettably how protests have moved on,” Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said.

“We are going to have a fundamental review of our public order tactics,” he said. Gardaí “stood up to the plate” during the protests, he said.

“These are scenes that we have not seen in decades; it is clear people have been radicalised over social media,” he said.

“Thirty-four arrests have been made, many more will follow,” he said.

Mr Harris said gardaí had to make the “assumption that following the events of last night, we are going to seen further protests”.


08:10

Riot sees 34 arrests and 13 shops looted, says Harris

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris speaks to media at Garda HQ in Dublin on Friday morning following riots in the capital city.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said 34 people were arrested during riots in Dublin last night.

There were 13 shops looted, with three buses, one Luas tram and 11 Garda vehicles damaged, he said.


07:58

Speaking this morning, Minister for Education Norma Foley said she was “shocked beyond measure” at the attack on children on Parnell Square, outside of Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire.

The primary school was a “great school,” with “great staff” in a “great community,” she told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

Ms Foley said the heroics of passersby and others who intervened to protect children stood in stark contrast to the destruction caused by rioters.

“The actions of a violent few who created chaos, who upended the city, they are not reflective of society,” she said.


07:41

‘I didn’t even make a decision, it was pure instinct’

Details are emerging about some of the heroic actions of members of the public who intervened to stop the stabbing of the group of children on Parnell Square.

The Journal last night spoke to Caio Benício, a Brazilian Deliveroo driver who, after witnessing a man attacking a young girl with a knife, dismounted his bike and starting hitting the attacker with his helmet.

“I didn’t even make a decision, it was pure instinct, and it was all over in seconds. He fell to the ground, I didn’t see where the knife went, and other people stepped in,” he told the Journal.

“I have two kids myself, so I had to do something. I did what anyone would do. People were there but they couldn’t step in because he was armed, but I knew I could use my helmet as a weapon,” he said.


07:27

A little after 10pm on Thursday night myself and crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher recorded an In The News podcast, after reporting from the scene of the riot. You can listen to the podcast here: Dublin stunned by a dark day of violence.


07:12

Public transport information

Dublin Bus has advised commuters that although its services are operating this morning, diversions are in place around Parnell Street, Parnell Square, and O’Connell Street. Passengers have been advised to expect delays to some services.

For the Luas, Red line services are not running between Smithfield and Connolly, while there is no service between St Stephen’s Green and Broombridge on the Green line.

Irish Rail has said Dart, Commuter and Intercity train services are operating as normal.


07:04

Good morning, Jack Power, news reporter, here, bringing you the latest from the aftermath of the major riots in Dublin city centre last night.

Gardaí are currently stationed outside a number of shops that were broken into and looted on Thursday night amid the chaos, as clean-up crews work to remove the debris from a burnt-out bus at the top of O’Connell Street.

Calm restored to Dublin streets after 34 arrested for riots

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dublin-wakes-looted-stores-smouldering-vehicles-after-night-riots-2023-11-24/

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dublin-wakes-looted-stores-smouldering-vehicles-after-night-riots-2023-11-24/

Calm restored to Dublin streets after 34 arrested for riots following stabbing - ABC News

  • Summary
  • 5-year-old girl in very serious condition
  • Woman in her 30s also in serious condition
  • Police chief expects many more arrests to follow
  • Police blame far-right agitators for starting clashes

DUBLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Calm was restored to the streets of central Dublin on Friday night amid a heavy police presence after 34 people were arrested following rioting the previous night that was triggered by the stabbing of three young children in the street.

Police were on alert for further violence after rioters smashed shop windows; set fire to police cars, buses and a tram; and clashed with officers in and around the main thoroughfare of O'Connell Street in violence rarely seen in the Irish capital.

Shoppers and tourists returned on Black Friday morning, passing officers guarding looted stores as burnt out vehicles were removed. Police chased a few people from the street on Friday evening and made some arrests but the city was quiet.

"Those involved brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland and brought shame on their families and themselves," Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told a news conference early on Friday of the violence overnight.

A 5-year-old girl remained in a critical condition on Friday following emergency treatment for serious injuries sustained in the stabbing, which happened near a school and beside O'Connell Street.

Police, who say they have not ruled out any motive including whether it was terror-related, have not commented on the nationality of a man detained in connection with the stabbings but there was immediate speculation online that he was foreign.

The man is in his late 40s and being treated for serious injuries. Police said they were not looking for any other suspect.

Police blamed far-right agitators for starting the violence after a small group of anti-immigrant protesters arrived at the scene of the stabbing and clashed with police.

Varadkar said his government would take immediate steps to tighten anti-hate legislation he said was unfit for the social media age. Ministers also plan to fast-track laws to allow officers to use body-worn cameras.

"As a country we need to reclaim Ireland. We need to take it away from the cowerers who hide behind masks and try to terrify us with their violence," Varadkar said in an emotional statement.

'ELEMENT OF RADICALISATION'

Garda Public Order Unit Detain Man Following Riot In Dublin, Ireland November 24. 2023

The attack was condemned across all political parties, including the main opposition Sinn Fein, whose leader called for the justice minister and police chief to resign over what she called an "unacceptable failure" to keep people safe.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she would not quit and Police Commissioner Drew Harris earlier defended the force's response, saying the scenes in the city were unprecedented.

"I think that we've seen an element of radicalisation. We have seen a group of people who take literally a thimble full of facts and make a bathtub of hateful assumptions and then conduct themselves in a way which is riotous and disruptive to our society," Harris told a news conference.

It took officers several hours to regain control after a group of local youths joined the protesters, some of whom were shouting "get them out", with one carrying a sign saying "Irish Lives Matter". The crowd grew to about 200 to 300 people.

British minister Michael Gove, in Dublin for a meeting with Varadkar, told reporters the violence had been shocking. "It's a mark of Ireland that this sort of thing is so rare," he said.

People were urged to stay away from large parts of the city during the height of the violence. Harris said 13 shops were damaged or looted, 11 police cars damaged and destroyed along with three buses and a tram. One officer was seriously injured.

"Right now we are feeling worried," said Hassan Alia, a Foot Locker security guard standing outside the shuttered store early on Friday who was also working the previous night before it was looted.

Members of the public intervened at an early stage of the knife attack, including an immigrant Brazilian Deliveroo driver who told local media that he knocked the assailant to the ground by striking him with his helmet.

A 17-year-old French student working in Dublin told France's BFM TV that he grabbed the attacker's knife as the group pushed him to the ground.

Police said a female creche worker in her 30s was also in a serious condition. The two other children, a 5-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl, suffered less serious injuries.

A fundraiser on gofundme.com for the Brazilian motorbike driver raised over 250,000 euros on Friday, while a separate online funding drive raised more than 160,000 euros for a creche worker and children who were attacked.

There are no far-right parties elected to Ireland's parliament, but small anti-immigrant protests have grown in the last year, particularly at migrant accommodation centres in the capital. The government is reviewing security around parliament after a recent protest trapped lawmakers inside.

Reporting by Padraic Halpin, Graham Fahy and Conor Humphries; Additional reporting by Will Russell and Geert De Clercq in Pais; Editing by Kate Holton, William Maclean, Kirsten Donovan

School stabbing: suspect was previously arrested for knife possession - Gript

ttps://gript.ie/school-stabbing-suspect-was-previously-arrested-for-knife-possession/ 

SCHOOL STABBING: SUSPECT WAS PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED FOR KNIFE POSSESSION

The Algerian national who is the main suspect in the horrific school stabbing that saw three children and a carer injured was arrested earlier this year for possession of a knife, the Irish Daily Mail has reported. The paper reported that the man “had come to Garda attention several times in the past year” and that he had been taken to court on charges but not convicted “due to a mental health report” that was produced in court. The Irish Mirror reports that: “He appeared in Dublin District Court at the city’s CCJ in May. The judge in the case heard all the evidence, but made no order. That means the suspect was not convicted of any offence. A no-order decision is usually made when a judge rules that there was a significant mental health aspect to the case.” The Algerian suspect is believed to have been living in hostel accommodation provided by Dublin City Council. He is also believed to have come to Ireland almost two decades ago, and have taken Irish citizenship a decade ago. The stabbing at the Parnell East Gaelscoil has shocked the nation. One child is still in a critical condition in hospital while another child and a carer who was stabbed while intervening to save the children were also seriously injured. On Thursday, Commissioner Drew Harris has said that he would not rule out a potential terrorist motive. “I have never ruled out any possible motive for this attack… all lines of inquiry are open to determine the motive for this attack,” he said. The suspect is in hospital under armed guard and the Gardaí are not looking for any other persons in relation to the incident.

POSTED IN FEATUREDIRISH NEWS

SinnFaeinTDLouiseO'Reilly

Sinn Faein TD Louise O'Reilly

Mary Lou McDonald And Her Party Sinn Fein Promising A United Ireland For All

 Sinn Féin TD criticised for waving photo of 'vulnerable' man in Dáil chamber Story by Jane Matthews

Journal.ie

 

SINN FÉIN’S LOUISE O’Reilly has been criticised for waving a photo in the Dáil of a man, sitting and drinking from a can near the school close to where the stabbing attack in Dublin happened last Thursday.

Earlier today, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald tweeted the image of the man sitting on the steps of a building which appears to be beside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire.

Speaking during Leaders’ Questions, Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly held up the image in the Dáil and said: “Minister, this is what greeted those children six days after the traumatic and horrific event that happened to three of their classmates and one of their staff members.

“The school is terrified and traumatised. The school community wants answers and leadership and they are getting neither from you.

“This picture represents what Dublin city feels like to Dubliners on your watch, Minister. You should resign.”

In response, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that everyone has a “role to be responsible in this House”.

“I think you should consider that before you start waving pictures around.”

Her comments were met with “hear, hear” from the floor of the Dáil.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also criticised the photo being shown in the Dáil.

She said: “Undoubtedly, there’s been grandstanding from opposition, including waving of a photograph of an identifiable person in this House. That’s an outrageous action, that’s outrageous action, that’s outrageous grandstanding and I want to call that out.”

Earlier today, Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan also criticised McDonald’s tweet directly saying: “There is no need to tweet this man’s photo as if there is a direct link to people who live or occupy inner city streets and the events of last week. This is ill advised and unfair.”

Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said on X, formerly Twitter, that O’Reilly’s actions in the Dáil were “disgusting”.

“Absolutely disgusting behaviour by SF in the Dáil chamber today waving a printed out photograph of a clearly vulnerable individual,” he said.

Ó Ríordáin said McDonald’s tweet was “outrageous from someone who wants to be Taoiseach.”

“If a FG minister did this they’d have to resign,” he added.

With reporting from Hayley Halpin.

Special security in place for Algerian man wrongly identified as suspect for Parnell Square stabbings | Independent.ie

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/special-security-in-place-for-algerian-man-wrongly-identified-as-suspect-for-parnell-square-stabbings/a968017709.html 

Algerian man wrongly identified as suspect for Parnell Square stabbings

Gardaí deeply concerned over misinformation spreading onlineNews outlet Gript has removed a story after being contacted by gardaíWebsite’s editor claims this now “feels like a bit of a rat-f**king”Justice Minister confirms gardaí “engaged” with Gript and urges people to “take responsibility for content shared” online

The scene on Parnell Square East following last week's stabbing attack. Picture: Gerry Mooney

The scene on Parnell Square East following last week's stabbing attack. Picture: Gerry Mooney

Mark Tighe, Ken Foy, Robin Schiller and Maeve McTaggart
 

Special security measures have had to be put in place for a man who has been falsely identified as being the suspect for last week’s stabbing in Dublin.

Gardaí have expressed deep concern after a photograph and other details of an innocent man were shared on social media, wrongly claiming that he is the suspect for last Thursday’s stabbing attack outside a Dublin school, which left three children and a creche worker injured.

It followed the publication of an article by online news outlet Gript which has since removed the story, which blamed the wrong man for the stabbing. The article has been removed from the internet on foot of contact from gardaí.

Some of the social media posts, which surfaced overnight, included an image of an individual and referenced details from a court case purporting to involve the stabbing suspect, but which was from a case involving an entirely different individual.

However, the man named in the social media posts has no involvement in the shocking incident last week.

The suspect for the attack, an Algerian national with Irish citizenship, remains in hospital and is yet to be arrested. He is expected to be questioned before the end of this week, once he is deemed medically fit.

The online posts have been shared thousands of times since going up overnight.

One of the accounts, which shared the details of the wrong person, is linked to a man currently under investigation by detectives as part of the inquiry into the organising of the violent scenes in Dublin last week.

Gardaí said they have made contact with Gript.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee today also confirmed that gardaí had “engaged” with the publication.

The Gript article did not name the falsely identified Algerian but revealed details of his immigration case ruling, which is available on legal sites, and in which he is named.

It allowed right-wing agitators to identify the Algerian man, who was the plaintiff in the asylum case and share his image and details of his work for an Irish company.

When contacted about the Gript article, a garda spokesman told the Irish Independent: “This article is highly inaccurate.

“The individual referenced in the article is not a person of interest in the investigation into the knife attack of last Thursday.

“An Garda Síochána has contacted the online news outlet and the outlet has agreed to remove the article.

“The online news outlet did not contact the Garda Press Office before publication.

“An Garda Síochána is aware of some social media posts resulting from the article that purport to identify the individual and has put in place measures to ensure the safety of the individual.”

Gript’s original tweet promoting the story published at 5pm yesterday has been viewed over 755,000 times on X, formerly Twitter.

John McGuirk, Gript’s editor told the Irish Independent that as of 10.40am this morning, he had received no contact from the Garda about the article.

However, this was contradicted in a later statement on his outlet’s website, which said gardaí had contacted the publication at 9am today.

He said the article was based on garda and official sources.

“We did not contact the garda press office about this as its policy is not to comment on named individuals,” he said.

McGuirk said this now “feels like a bit of a rat-f**king”, a term used to describe dirty tricks or deliberate sabotage.

Right-wing websites have since labelled staff working for an NGO (non-governmental body) that had helped the wrongly identified Algerian man in his immigration case as “traitors” and “accessories to murder”.

The five-year-old girl who was critically injured in last Thursday’s stabbing attack remains gravely ill in hospital this morning.

The only suspect in the case, a 49-year-old Algerian man also remains in hospital where he is being treated for head injuries.

However, it is understood that his condition is improving and he may be medically fit to be arrested for questioning before the end of this week.

In a statement today Gript said: “This morning, just after 9am, more than 17 hours after the story that appeared on this page on Gript.ie was published – and after media outlets elsewhere had first been informed – the Garda Press Office contacted Gript to say that the unnamed person referred to in the story that appeared at this link yesterday, is not, in fact, a person of interest in the events of last Thursday.

“Gript Media’s original reporting was sourced from a member of An Garda Síochána.

“It was further cross-checked against publicly available records, and while the name of the suspect was not reported, that name was put to a senior official on the basis of an informal “cross-check” before publication.

“Gript Media, like other media outlets, has a firm policy of never naming any individual suspected in relation to a criminal act until such time as that person has been charged with a crime, and confirming that there are no reporting restrictions in place. In this case, we kept to that policy, while cross-checking our details with our sources in the usual way.

“We are investigating the circumstances of this error, including giving due consideration to the question of whether this media outlet was deliberately deceived by a senior official. If we determine that to have been the case, then our obligation to protect the anonymity of those sources will be considered forfeit.”

Justice Minister Helen McEntee today welcomed the removal of the article as she urged “each and every one of us to take responsibility for any content” shared or passed on online.

She said: “It’s incumbent, not just on newspapers and media outlets, but each and every one of us to make sure that we’re not sharing information that’s misleading or incorrect.

“There has been a lot of misinformation spread since last Thursday on a lot of different matters that can be hugely disruptive to investigations but also can be hugely upsetting to many people.

“So, I would ask people to think before they send on information, particularly where information shared might be part of an investigation.

She added that it was “appropriate” that the article in question was removed saying there is an ongoing garda investigation into the stabbings.

Ms McEntee said the gardaí “will always protect an individual or group of people if it is absolutely necessary or required“ if there are concerns for their safety after being falsely identified online.

“But obviously, in this instance information was put out there it has been taken down and if assistance is required by An Garda Síochána that will of course be provided,” she added

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Dublin: Riot Police Attacked, Vehicles Torched & Shops Looted Over Stabbing Of Kids

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  • Ireland Stabbing Suspect Which Sparked Off Dublin Riots

  • Some analysis of the possible reasons for a mentally deranged Moslem Algerian man to lose the plot and snap to carry out such horrific attacks on young Irish children, may well have been as a result of the Israel/USA rockets sent over into Northern Gaza which indiscriminately murdered thousands of innocent civilian Palestinian women and children and men who were not part of the Israel Hamas War... 

  • Irish Citizen, in his 40's who originally from the Algerian Army, which at the time, was well known to get its Algerian soldiers to commit all sorts of horrific violent atrocities on men, women and children, who has lived in Ireland for 20 years.. allegedly stabbed a woman and a five-year-old girl. They are in serious condition in a Dublin Hospital.

  • A 43-year-old Brazilian Deliveroo Driver, Calo Benico, was widely praised for jumping off his moped and knocking the man over the head with his helmet. Then other people rushed forward to grab the man's knife.

  • Siobhan Kearney, who witnessed the stabbing, said the scene was "absolutely bedlam". "Without thinking, I just took across the road to help out," she told Irish broadcaster RTE. "We got another young man, disarmed (the attacker) with the knife, and put it away for the police to find it."

  •  Kearney said a group of people restrained the suspect on the ground, aa some of those injured were taken back into the Irish Language School. One Irish woman and one American woman stood in front of the suspect to stop people from beating him. A photo at the scene shows the middle-aged suspect with blood in his mouth lying on the ground. The attack occurred at an Irish language school, Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire, shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday 23rd November, 2033 on Parnell Square East, in Dublin's north inner city, an area with a large number of low-income housing projects. The Irish Police Commissioner Drew Harris has refused to rule out the possibility that this stabbing attack was terror-related.
  • The fact that a foreign national  man who has been given full Irish Citizenship attacked a school run through the Irish, or Gaelic, language helped fuel an outpouring of rage that saw anti-immigrant riots, lootings, and arson in the hours that followed. Irish Garda (Police) struggled to contain the crowds, who attacked them on the street, and burned a hotel housing asylum seekers as well as a arson, a couple of  double decker buses and burnt and destroyed around 11 Garda cars..
  • Liam Geraghty, a superintendent with the Irish Garda (Police), told reporters, without giving any evidence or basis for his belief..
  • that he does not believe that the attacker was politically motivated.."We believe that this was a stand alone incident, not necessarily connected to any wider issues that are ongoing in Ireland or in the city of Dublin, and we need to identify the ecact reasons for that happening. So we'd ask people not to jump to conclusions and not to make rash judgements on what may have happened and why" 
  • Geraghty said a total of five people were taken to hospitsls. "These casualties include three young children, an adult female and an adult male. One girl aged five years, has sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street Hospital." He added that a five-year'old boy and a six-year-old girl were treated for less serious injuries. Gearity addded that the boy has since been discharged from a children's hospital, and that the womam in her 30's is being treated for serious injuries at the Matter Hospital in Dublin's north inner city. The man "is also being treated for serious injuries at a hospital in the Dublin region.". Geraghty said. He also said.." a man in his 40's is a person on interest and police are not looking for any other suspect."
  • There are ongoimg protests across Irelanf against asylum seekers centres amid an Irish Housing Crisis. Many hoels and guest houses have been converted to asylum accommodation, leading to protests by people in towns affectef by lower tourist income. In late October, 2023, Ireland's Tsoiseach (prime minister), Leo Varadakar, said that the country had reached its limit of the number of asylum seekers and refugees it could accept.
  • On Thursday evening, 23rd Novrmber, 2023, Irish President Michael D. Higgind said that the stabbings should not be used  by Ireland's far-right to stir up trouble.."All our thoughts are with each of the children and their families affected by todays horific stabbing attack outside Gaelscoil Cjolaiste Mhuire in Dublin city centre," He said. "We are particularily thinking of the five-year-old girl and the member of staff caring for her who were both in serious condition in hospital. All of our prayers are with each of them for a full recovery.".."The Garda deserve all of our support in dealing with this incident. This appalling incident is a matter for the Gardai and that it would be used or abused by groups with agenda that attacks the principle of social inclusion is reprehensible and deserves condemnation by all those who believe in the rule of law and domocracy.:
  • www.newsweek.com

The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos Story by Hayley Halpin

 
 

DUBLIN CITY CENTRE saw a a night of rioting that saw clashes with gardaí, shops smashed and looted and buses, Luas carriages set on fire. The unrest came after five people, including three young children, were hospitalised after a stabbing in Parnell Square yesterday afternoon. This morning, public transport is still disrupted, while gardaí remain at the scene of yesterday’s attack on Parnell Street East. Gardaí made 34 arrests during the riots last night, 32 of which will be appearing before the courts this morning, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told a media briefing this morning. 

He said 13 shops have been “significant damaged” or subject to looting, while 11 garda vehicles were destroyed in the rioting. 

Three buses and one Luas were also destroyed, he said. 

Here’s a look at the scenes in the city centre in the few hours after the stabbing incident, during the riots last night and the aftermath morning: 

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

 The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

In pictures: The violent riots in Dublin city centre and the aftermath of the chaos

(48) Arson, Clashes, Shops Looted: What Led to Riots in Dublin? | The Quint - YouTube

(48) School stabbing in Dublin sparks riots | 9 News Australia - YouTube

 
32,290 views Nov 24, 2023 #9News #BreakingNews #NineNewsAustralia

A school stabbing in Dublin has sparked a night of fire and riots on the streets of Ireland's capital. | Subscribe and ????: http://9Soci.al/KM6e50GjSK9 Get more breaking news at 9News.com.au: http://9Soci.al/iyCO50GjSK6

(48) Dublin stabbing: Streets burn as cars set on fire in riots - YouTube

 
104,071 views Nov 24, 2023 #22 on Trending

Yobs set police cars on FIRE as chaos erupts outside Dublin nursery where three kids under 6 & creche worker were stabbed. Shocking footage shows a cop car, bus and buildings ablaze in the Irish capital as Gardai in riot gear tried to fight off violent protesters. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3QVYqif The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk Like The Sun on Facebook:   / thesun   Follow The Sun on Twitter:   / thesun   Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat:   / 1633225139  

Violence erupts in Dublin, Ireland in response to knife attack that wounded 3 children - YouTube

 
 
Nov 25, 2023

Overnight riots in Dublin have finally settled down. They were sparked by stabbing incidents Thursday. CBS News Correspondent Ramy Inocencio has the details. READ MORE: https://cbsloc.al/47uDl5B

    • Police car set on fire in Dublin as protests ramp up in city after stabbing incident

    • Burned bus wreckage removed from O'Connell Street as Dublin cleans up after night of looting and riots
    • Thirty-four arrests after rioting in Dublin following school knife attack
    • PSNI send two water cannon to gardaí following last night's riots in Dublin

  •  
  • 78,241 views Nov 24, 2023 #23 on Trending
    Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the people involved in rioting in Dublin city centre last night "brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland, and brought shame on their families and themselves". Mr Varadkar expressed his full confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, however he said a review would also have to be conducted in relation to what happened yesterday. Keep up to date with all the latest Irish and international news and current affairs with http://www.rte.ie/news Follow us on twitter @rtenews and on Facebook   / rtenews  

Dublin riots: Irish police commissioner should consider his position over ’intelligence failures’ - YouTube

Dublin riots: Irish police blame far-right ‘lunatic hooligans’ for violence

Gript article that wrongly identified Parnell Square stabbing suspect is removed from site – The Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/11/30/gript-media-article-that-gave-incorrect-details-of-parnell-square-stabbing-suspect-is-removed/ 

Gript.com article that wrongly identified Parnell Square stabbing suspect is removed from site

Gardaí put in place special security measures to protect man wrongly identified as a result of the online publication

John McGuirk, editor of Gript. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times

Colm Keena and Conor Lally Thu Nov 30 2023

Online media outlet Gript has removed an article that purported to give details of the asylum application history of the suspect in last week’s attack on schoolchildren on Parnell Square in Dublin.

The article was removed after Gript was contacted by An Garda Síochána, which has put in place special security measures to protect the man whose asylum details were published and who is not the suspect in the Parnell Square attack.

The article, which was published on Wednesday, referred to court records and purported to outline the detailed history of the unnamed suspect’s dealing with the State in relation to asylum, but did not name him. After the article was published, a number of people on social media went on to publish what they said was the man’s name.

However, the history outlined in the Gript article is not that of the suspect and the man named on social media is not the suspect, according to the Garda. 

On Thursday the Garda Press Office, which did not name Gript in its statement, said the article published on Wednesday was “highly inaccurate”.

“The individual referenced in the article is not a person of interest in the investigation into the knife attack of last Thursday,” it said. “An Garda Síochána has contacted the online news outlet and the outlet has agreed to remove the article. 

“An Garda Síochána is aware of some social media posts resulting from the article that purport to identify the individual and has put in place measures to ensure the safety of the individual.”

Gript did not contact the Garda Press Office before publishing the article, the Garda said.

The article has been replaced by a statement in which Gript said that its report “was sourced from a member of an Garda Siochána” and that it is investigating whether it was “deliberately deceived”.

Gript claimed the information it received was “cross-checked against publicly available records, and while the name of the suspect was not reported, that name was put to a senior official on the basis of an informal ‘cross-check’ before publication.”

Gript Media, it said, has a firm policy of never naming any individual suspected in relation to a criminal act until such time as that person has been charged with a crime, and confirming that there are no reporting restrictions in place.

“In this case, we kept to that policy, while cross-checking our details with our sources in the usual way,” said the media outlet.

“We are investigating the circumstances of this error, including giving due consideration to the question of whether this media outlet was deliberately deceived by a senior official. If we determine that to have been the case, then our obligation to protect the anonymity of those sources will be considered forfeit.”

The main suspect in the attack is still in hospital and has yet to be interviewed by An Garda Síochána because of his injuries.

What do we know about the suspect in the Parnell Square knife attack? ]

Garda sources told The Irish Times the force was aware of the social media posts implying involvement by the wrong man and sharing content that included his name, photograph and details about his life before he came to Ireland and since he settled in the Republic.

The same sources said there were now serious concerns for the safety of the man identified and measures were being put in place to protect him.

This included assigning Garda resources to him to ensure he did not come to harm, which is a very unusual move in response to misinformation circulating online.

However, gardaí were also hopeful once news spread that the man identified was innocent and not connected in any way to the events of last Thursday, the risk to his safety would recede.

Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that she believed it was appropriate that Gript removed the article.

“Each and every one of us should take responsibility for any content that we share or that we pass on. There has been a lot of misinformation spread since last Thursday on a lot of different matters that can be hugely disruptive to investigations but also can be hugely upsetting to many people. I would ask people to think before they send on information, particularly where information is shared that might be part of an investigation. Particular information was taken down, and I think it was appropriate that it was.”

“An Garda Siochana will always protect an individual or group of people if it is absolutely necessary or required. In this instance, information was put out there, it has been taken down, and if there is assistance required by An Garda Siochana (it will be given).”

Asked if there are sanctions for those who share incorrect information online, she said: “Gardai have engaged with a particular publication and it is incumbent not just on newspapers and media outlets but on each and every one of us to make sure that we are not sharing information that is misleading or incorrect.”

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Gript editor John McGuirk said the responsibility for the mistake was his and his alone. He claimed the original report could not have been taken to be someone other than the assailant.

“We did not name anybody. We did not link to any identifying documents ... We clearly stated in our report that the individual suspected of a grave crime is in a Dublin hospital, under guard,” he said.

“We also clearly stated in our report that a suspect should never be named, until such time as they face charges. It should be abundantly clear from our reporting that any person who is walking the streets of Ireland is not suspected of this crime.”

 Colm Keena

Colm Keena is an Irish Times journalist. He was previously legal-affairs correspondent and public-affairs correspondent

The Politics Fix: Scumbags or gurriers? And an exercise in brazen ‘arse-covering’

What do we know about the suspect in the Parnell Square knife attack? ]

What do we know about the suspect in the Parnell Square knife attack? – The Irish Times

A photograph taken on June 12, 2023 shows a makeshift refugee and migrant camp outside the Irish government's International Protection Office, in Dublin city centre.

The Irish government had to take "extraordinary measures" such as temporarily housing people in tents

  • At a glance

    • Ireland experienced a sharp rise in most types of immigration in 2022, new figures show

    • The country had a record number of asylum applications last year

    • The top three countries of origin were Georgia, Algeria and Somalia

    • Between March and December 2022, almost 68,000 people arrived in Ireland from Ukraine

    • John Campbell
      BBC News NI economics and business editor
       
      29 November 2023
    • An annual analysis of migration figures shows how Ireland experienced a sharp rise in most types of immigration in 2022. The country had a record number of asylum applications as well as big increases in people moving to the country for work and education. The asylum numbers are further increased when Ukrainian people are included. Ukrainian asylum seekers are counted separately as they are currently covered by a different legal framework. The report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) draws on official data.

       

      It shows a total of 13,651 non-Ukrainian applications for international protection were made in 2022, a 186% increase from 2019, the last comparable year before pandemic-related travel restrictions. The top three countries of origin were Georgia, Algeria and Somalia, accounting for 45% of all applicants.

      Earlier analysis from the ESRI suggested that the overall increase in asylum applications was likely a result of the end of pandemic travel restrictions; instability and conditions in countries of origin; a minor deflection effect from the UK; and long-term social network effects.

      Ukrainian refugees

      Between March and December 2022 almost 68,000 people arrived in Ireland from Ukraine under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

      As of December 2022, 87% of those who had been granted temporary protection had recent activity indicating that they were still living in the country.

      That sudden and unprecedented influx placed significant pressure on Irish state resources with the ESRI noting the government had to take "extraordinary measures" such as temporarily housing people in tents and passing legislation which allowed public buildings to be used for emergency accommodation.

    • The figures also show that the number of work permits issued to non-EU or non-UK people was also at a record high.

      Almost 40,000 permits were issued in 2022, more than double the previous peak in 2019.

      That reflects a widening of the sectors for which employment permits could be granted in response to very low unemployment in Ireland.

      India was the most common nationality (15,695 permits, 39% of the total ) followed by Brazil (4,304, 11%) and the Philippines (2,203, 6%).

      The IT sector was the largest recipient of employment permits in 2022 (10,382 permits) with health and social work (9,791) in second place.

      Keire Murphy, one of the authors of the report, said it shows that "as in other EU countries, migration in Ireland is recovering from the travel restrictions of the previous years, with numbers across migration types returning to previous levels or higher".

      She added: "The report also highlights significant policy and operational developments in 2022 in response to these changes, as well as major challenges."

       

      Housing crisis

      The most recent figures suggest the Republic of Ireland's population grew by almost 98,000 people between April 2022 and April 2023. That was the biggest increase since 2008 and was largely driven by immigration. Ireland’s government was already struggling with a housing crisis before the increase in immigration. Right wing protesters have held a series of demonstrations at asylum accommodation centres and are attempting to use the issue as a way to grow support ahead of elections next year.

      Related Topics

      • Republic of Ireland
      • Immigration
      • Refugees and asylum seekers
      • Ukrainian refugee
      • s
      • Migration
      • Dublin riot saw most riot police deployed in Irish state history

        https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67516612
        Media caption, Watch: Cars torched and shops looted in violent Dublin riots

        https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67516612

         The most riot police in Irish history were deployed to deal with Thursday's street violence in Dublin, the country's justice minister has said. Helen McEntee praised the police response to a riot which began following a knife attack in the city. Three children and a school care assistant were stabbed outside a primary school several hours earlier.

        Sinn Féin - the largest opposition party - criticised the police response to the riot. While its leader Mary Lou McDonald backed individual gardaí (police), she called for the commissioner of the force to resign.

         (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said about 500 people were involved in the disorder, adding that they had "brought shame" on Ireland and promising new laws within weeks to bring those involved to justice. Officers arrested 34 people after vehicles were set on fire and shops looted. A large police presence remains in Dublin's city centre on Friday night and a number of arrests have been made following sporadic altercations on O'Connell Street.
        Irish police detain a man on O'Connell Street the night after serious disorder broke out in Dublin
        Image source, PA Media
        Image caption,
        Police detain a man on O'Connell Street in Dublin on Friday - a huge police presence remains on the streets following Thursday's riot

        Ireland's police chief Drew Harris blamed the rioting on a "lunatic, hooligan faction driven by a far-right ideology".

        Two of the five people injured in the stabbings outside a primary school, Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuir, on Parnell Square are critically ill.

        They include a five-year-old girl and a school care assistant who "used her body as a shield" in an attempt to protect children from the attacker.

         
        Media caption,

        Irish police chief Drew Harris condemns the scenes of violence in Dublin city centre

        A man in his late 40s who was also seriously injured is a person of interest, according to police.

         

        They said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the stabbings and were following a definite line of inquiry.

        In a statement, the school said it is "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident and that its thoughts are with the pupils and creche worker who were injured. "Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated," it added.

        Why did the Dublin riot happen?

        Just hours after the knife attack, rioters destroyed 11 police vehicles, while 13 shops were badly damaged and more were looted during clashes with riot police. Three buses and a tram were also destroyed and several police officers were injured during over three hours of sustained violence.

        Two Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) water cannon vehicles are being sent across the border, following a request from Irish police.

         
        Two Police Service of Northern Ireland water cannon travelled to Dublin on Friday after a request from Irish police
        Image source, RTÉ
        Image caption,
        Two Police Service of Northern Ireland water cannon travelled to Dublin on Friday after a request from Irish police

        The PSNI said they would be solely operated by An Garda Siochána (Irish police) officers.

        The "extraordinary outbreak of violence" had come after "hateful assumptions" were made based on material circulating online in the wake of the stabbings, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said.

        It is understood that included false claims that the attacker was a foreign national.

        Sources have indicated to the BBC that the man suspected of carrying out the attack is an Irish citizen who has lived in the country for 20 years.

        "These are scenes that we have not seen in decades," said the Garda commissioner.

        Four council workers clear up the burnt debris of a tram that was set on fire during rioting in Dublin city centre
        Image source, PA Media
        Image caption,
        A tram was burnt out on O'Connell Street in central Dublin during the rioting

        "What is clear is that people have been radicalised through social media."

        Thirty-two people have since appeared in court in Dublin in connection with the riot.

        The accused - 28 men and four women - face charges including weapons offences, public order offences and theft of items such as clothing and cigarettes.

        line
        Analysis box by Aoife Moore, Dublin reporter

        After the stabbings, rumours spread on the WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal messaging apps and far-right agitators decided they would protest at the crime scene.

        But that escalated into violence and the rioters, including children and young adults, soon took over a large area of Dublin city centre.

        For months there has been real concern that something like this could happen.

        The far right in the Republic of Ireland has grown and become incredibly emboldened, recently holding a protest outside the Irish parliament.

        But the violence on Thursday night was on a level not seen in Dublin in decades and has left the people of the city reeling.

        line

        The Dublin Fire Brigade said a fire engine that attended the stabbing scene was later attacked by rioters.

        Geoff McEvoy from the fire service said: "One of the first calls that truck responded to [after the stabbings] was a petrol bombing of a refugee centre."

        He said "the truck was pelted with projectiles" and "beaten with iron implements" while its crew dealt with that incident.

        'Nation unsettled and afraid'

        Under questioning from reporters, Commissioner Harris denied that his police force had failed to protect Dubliners and their city from the violence.

        "We could not have anticipated that in response to a terrible crime - the stabbing of school children and their teacher - this would be the response," he said.

        Police officers form a line as a crowd of people gather in Dublin city centre, with one man holding a sign that reads: IRISH LIVES MATTER
        Image source, Reuters
        Image caption,
        The riot erupted after protesters gathered at a police cordon around the scene of the stabbings

        The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said police in Dublin needed more support and should be supplemented by officers from outside of the city.

        Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she has no confidence in Commissioner Harris or Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

        She said the "cold, hard truth" was that police "lost control of the centre of our capital city".

        "The idea that this violence was unforeseeable is frankly nonsense," she added.

        Ms McEntee said she would not be resigning and criticised those calling for Commissioner Harris to resign.

        "Anyone who wishes to sow division at a moment in time, when we need to be unified in our response to a group of thugs - they should really think about what their priorities are here," she said.

        Briefing other government ministers on Friday night, Ms McEntee said Irish police are trawling through 6,000 hours of CCTV footage and further arrests are "certain".

        The taoiseach said the violence had left the nation "unsettled and afraid".

        A glazier remove a broken pane of glass from a shopfront in Dublin city centre
        Image source, Reuters
        Image caption,
        Several shops, including this sportswear store in the city centre, were damaged and looted during the violence

        "Yesterday we experienced two terrible attacks - the first was an attack on innocent children; the second was an attack on our society and the rule of law," said Mr Varadkar.

        "Each attack brought shame to our society and disgrace to those involved and incredible pain to those who were caught up in the violence."

        Mr Varadkar said the rioters' motivation had nothing to do with Irish patriotism.

        "Their first reaction to a five-year-old child being stabbed was to burn our city, attack its businesses and assault our gardaí (police officers)," he said.

        A bus and car on fire on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre after violent scenes
        Image source, PA Media/Brian Lawless
        Image caption,
        A bus and car were set on fire on O'Connell Street on Thursday evening

        The taoiseach vowed to use the "full resources of the law to punish those involved" but added that Ireland's hate crime legislation was "not up to date for the social media age".

        Eyewitness Patricia MacBride, who is originally from Londonderry, said many of the rioters were "young people - late-teens, early-20s".

        "But what was disturbing was there was an older generation of people egging them on," she told the BBC.

        Stabbings motive 'entirely unclear'

        The knife attack took place outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, a primary school in the city centre, after 13:40 local time on Thursday.

        It is understood that a group of young children were lining up when a man carried out the stabbings.

        Fianna Fáil to 'engage' with Cllr who said Dublin rioters should be 'shot in the head' - Chambers | Newstalk

       https://www.newstalk.com/news/fianna-fail-to-engage-with-cllr-who-said-dublin-rioters-should-be-shot-in-the-head-chambers-1619492 

      Fianna Fáil to 'engage' with Cllr who said Dublin rioters should be 'shot in the head' - Chambers

      Limerick Councillor Abul Kalam Azad Talukder reportedly made the comments on Wednesday
      Jack Quann30 NOV 2023

      Fianna Fáil to 'engage' with C...

      Fianna Fáil will 'engage' with one of its Limerick Councillors after he suggested people who took part in last week's Dublin riots should be 'shot in the head.'

      On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Fianna Fáil Minister of State Jack Chambers said the comments from Limerick Councillor Abul Kalam Azad Talukder were 'totally inappropriate'. The Limerick Post reports that Cllr Talukder told a meeting of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) on Monday that 'not even an animal' would act like the rioters did in Dublin last week. He said they should face public punishment - noting that they should be "shot in the head" or beaten by the public "until they die". He immediately withdrew the comments - noting that the words were "only an expression of my emotion". Minister Chambers said the comments were "totally inappropriate".

      "I welcome the fact that he withdrew the comments immediately at that meeting," he said. "Just to be clear, anyone involved in the events last week must face the justice system and our legal system as anybody else would. "Those comments are completely inappropriate and I welcome the fact he withdrew them at that meeting. "The party will engage with him on his remarks". 'Call it as it was'

      Minister Chambers said he would agree to use of the term 'thugs' for those who took part in the rioting. Asked about Justice Minister Helen McEntee labelling some rioters 'scumbags' and 'thugs', he said we have to call it as it was. "The people involved in the violence last week, it was thuggish behaviour and we have to call it as it was," Minister Chambers said. "I think on the wider point we just need to focus again on the downright criminality, the total intimidation, the sense of fear that they created last week. "I think the wider, more fundamental points about what brought people to that point where they were engaging in such reckless criminal behaviour is worthy of further consideration.

      "I think for most people out there they want to see a strong Garda response," he added. Yesterday, the Garda Commissioner announced a range of measures to improve policing after last week's Dublin riots. Under the plan, all Gardaí will now carry pepper spray, and members of the Public Order Unit will carry tasers.

  • ‘Those in power should lead’ – Use of words like ‘scumbag’ creates further division | Newstalk

Those in power should lead - Use of words like 'scumbag' creates further division -  Newstalk

 Michael Staines 30 NOV 2023

Rioting and looting in Dublin

Rioting and looting in Dublin, 23-11-2023

The Justice Minister’s use of words like ‘scumbags’ and ‘thugs’ only creates further division between the State and disadvantaged young people who feel disenfranchised in modern Ireland.

Senator Lynn Ruane yesterday criticised Helen McEntee for using the words during a Dáil debate on last week’s Dublin riots. Speaking at the Justice Committee she said disenfranchised communities all around Ireland are being ‘exploited’ by far-right groups that have given them, “a narrative for a rage, or an exclusion or an isolation or a shame that they have felt in their own existence for an Ireland that has left them behind”. She said the use of the words further divides Irish society and warned, “That doesn’t create more safety; that actually makes it harder for us to create safety in the future”.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Senator Ruane said like many people she was shocked by the scenes in Dublin and wants to see people held accountable for their actions. She said labelling those who took part scumbags simply hardens their anger against society. “For me, it's like when we respond with only responses that are about having more power, more police or using terms like scumbags or deviants or thugs, that actually creates a scenario where it makes it harder to bring some young men who may engage in such behaviour into a space where you can do a piece of work with them around how they see themselves,” she said.

“If the State sees them as thugs and scumbags, it's very hard then to begin to open up a conversation between some groups of young men and the State because it further creates that divide between the two things.”

McEntee

Asked about Minister McEntee’s Dáil comments, she said: “I think, when you have power at that level, you should lead”. “You can point out the behaviour; you can say what is wrong and right in terms of how we treat our city and other people but the problem is, we're not asking why we got here,” she said. “We want to keep creating a more punitive response, but I don't think that actually creates a safer environment in the long run. “It further fragments particular communities from the State and from the State institutions and I suppose my whole thing is that creating more division doesn't create cohesion. “I would love a conversation that moves before how do we create cohesion, even amongst those that we don't agree with or that we don't agree with the behaviour that they've engaged in.”

Labelling

Senator Ruane said you can call out people’s behaviour without giving them a “label forevermore”. “The behaviour was that people created fear in other people,” she said. “The behaviour was aggressive, but it's [about] not labelling the person forevermore because we will see ourselves through how other people label us and then obviously, other people see us through how we behave. “The fact is you can call out the behaviour – it was aggressive, it was frightening and nobody should have to endure that at any cost.” She said she is not arguing that anyone should not be held accountable because of their upbringing.

“It's not justifying the behaviour or excusing it but it's about looking at the context of the wider environment,” she said. “It’s not to excuse the person, but to go, ‘What can we do so this doesn't happen again? How can we reduce aggression? How can we reduce violence?”

Senator Lynn Ruane at the launch of the Committee on Eighth Amendment final report in Leinster House in 2017

Senator Lynn Ruane at the launch of the Committee on Eighth Amendment final report in Leinster House in 2017

2023 Dublin riot - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Dublin_riot#:~:text=He%20also%20stabbed%20and%20seriously,in%20Ireland%20for%2020%20years.

Onlookers watch a Dublin Bus burning on O'Connell Street

23 November 2023 Dublin Ireland Caused By A Reaction to stabbing of a woman and three children at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East, Dublin

Methods

 

 

The 2023 Dublin riot took place on the evening of 23 November 2023 in Dublin, Ireland, involving incidents of vandalism, arson, looting, and assaults on gardaí (Irish police).[5] Described by gardaí as the most violent in modern Dublin history, far surpassing the 2006 riots, the riot followed a knife attack earlier that day outside a primary school in Parnell Square East. At around 1:30 pm GMT, a man stabbed three young children, critically injuring a five-year-old girl. He also stabbed and seriously injured a care assistant in her 30s as she tried to shield the children. The attacker was disarmed and incapacitated by passersby.[6] Gardaí took a suspect into custody, later identified as a 49-year-old naturalised Irish citizen, of Algerian origin, who had lived in Ireland for 20 years.

2023 Dublin Riot

Part of the Opposition to immigration in the Republic of Ireland

Resulted In:

Gardaí deployed to disperse the crowd, numerous businesses and vehicles damaged

ArrestesL 48, as of 25 November 2023[2]

Charged: 32, as of 24 November 2023