A wave of violent protests erupted in Dublin after three children and a woman were stabbed outside a school on Thursday afternoon.
A crowd of people, chanting anti-immigration, set fire to a security forces vehicle and attacked several police officers on Thursday evening, hours after the perpetrator of the attack was arrested by the National Civilian Police of the Republic of Ireland.
as WatchmanThe authorities were forced to suspend the movement of many bus routes and asked residents to calm down. Some demonstrators participated in clashes with police, while others threw bottles and other objects. The windows of many shops in the city center were also smashed.
On O’Connell Street, Dublin’s main thoroughfare, police used shields and batons to keep crowds away, while a helicopter flew over the area. At a press conferenceor Police Commissioner Drew Harris blamed the clashes “A crazy faction, driven by far-right ideology.”.
“We ask people to act responsibly and not listen to misinformation and rumors circulating on social media. “We know what happened, but the cause is still not entirely clear.”
All entrances to the University of Dublin (Trinity College), which is located in the city center, were closed due to the unrest.
Police do not know the motives for the attack
The possible motives for the attack in the Irish capital are not yet known, as authorities confirmed that the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. According to law enforcement authorities, one of the minors – a five-year-old girl – and the woman, around 30, were “seriously injured” as a result of the attack, which was carried out in a very crowded area of the Irish capital. Parnell Square, about 500 meters from Rotunda Hospital.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced that he was “terrified” by the attack and confirmed that the attacker was in police custody.
A witness reported that the suspect attacked a group of children, armed with a large knife. A number of passers-by intervened and were able to disarm the man, while the authorities established a security perimeter in the area and collected evidence that could assist in the investigation.
The attack site was closed with a security cordon to facilitate forensic examinations. Police have indicated that they have a “specific line of investigation” ongoing and are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this attack.
