34 arrested after rioting in Dublin, following school stabbing

34 people have been arrested in Dublin after widespread rioting. The rioting followed a stabbing outside a school.

Three children and a teacher were injured in a knife attack outside a school in the city centre at about 13:40 on Thursday.

According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, a five-year-old girl is in a critical condition, a six-year-old girl has head injuries and a five-year-old boy has been discharged from hospital with minor wounds. An adult woman is seriously ill.

A person of interest, a man is his forties, was also seriously injured. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing.

The motive for the attack is unclear at this time.

Following the attack, rioting broke out in central Dublin.

Drew Harris, head of An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force), said 11 police vehicles, three buses, a tram and 13 shops were badly damaged. Several officers were also injured, one seriously.

Harris said those responsible for the disorder were a "lunatic, hooligan faction driven by a far-right ideology".

In a statement, Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin, DMR North Central said: "This evening, significant levels of public disorder, criminal damage and violence was carried out by violent individuals in Dublin City Centre.

"This violence had nothing to do with the violent assault which occurred on Parnell Square this afternoon. It was gratuitous thuggery. Public Transport was attacked, Garda vehicles were damaged and some commercial businesses were attacked.

"Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported by the public as a result of tonight’s violence.
 
"Some of my colleagues were attacked and assaulted, thankfully none were seriously injured and I commend them all on their bravery to protect our community.

"An Garda Síochána responded to the evolving situation and over 400 members of An Garda Síochána remain on patrol in Dublin City Centre. Dublin City Centre is now calm and returning to normal and we will continue to monitor the situation.

"I want to thank the general public for their support this evening.

"The thoughts of all members of An Garda Síochána remain with the victims of the violent assault which occurred on Parnell Square earlier today."

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