Dublin stabbings – latest: Five-year-old girl critical as 32 charged over riots that caused ‘huge destruction’

A five-year-old girl who was among several people stabbed outside a school in Dublin remains in a critical condition, Garda (Irish police) have said.

Some 32 people have been charged in connection to riots that broke out in the capital following the knife attack, which happened near the Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire primary school on Thursday afternoon.

Irish police said on Friday they were continuing to investigate the circumstances of the stabbings.

A second girl, aged 6, continues to receive medical treatment for less serious injuries in CHI Crumlin. A boy, aged 5, was discharged from CHI Crumlin yesterday evening.

A woman in her 30s remains in a serious condition in the Mater Hospital, and a man in his 50s also remains in a serious condition in a hospital in the Dublin region.

Another man in his 50s has been arrested as police were said to be pursuing a “definite line of inquiry”.

Earlier, Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s prime minister, condemned the more than 500 people who took part in the rioting. “Those involved brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland and brought shame on their families and themselves,” he said.

Key Points

• Girl, 5, critical as 32 charged over ‘huge destruction’ riots

• Rioters driven by ‘hate’ not patriotism - Varadkar

• People told to work from home after riots

• Girl, five, among those injured in attack

• Protesters fire flares and fireworks as violent scenes unfold

• Police chief says protests ‘driven by far-right ideology’

• Attack believed to be a ‘standalone’ incident

Police give update on stabbing victims

14:03 , Tara Cobham

The five-year-old girl stabbed outside the school in Dublin remains in critical condition at CHI Temple Street, Garda has confirmed this afternoon.

The six-year-old girl, who was receiving medical treatment for less serious injuries in CHI Crumlin, has now been discharged from hospital and returned to the care of her family, said Irish police.

The adult woman, a nursery worker, aged in her 30s, is in a serious but stable condition in The Mater Hospital, added the force.

Meanwhile, the adult man, aged in his late 40s, is in a serious but stable condition in a hospital in the Dublin Region, said Garda. The force said he remains a “person of interest” in its inquiries as police continue to investigate the knife attack.

A five-year-old boy was previously discharged from hospital.

Fundraiser to buy hero Deliveroo driver a pint hits €300k

18:18 , Barney Davis

A fundraiser for a hero Deliveroo driver who stopped a knife attack in Dublin has reached nearly £300,000 as it encouraged supporters to buy the brave Brazillian a pint.

Caio Benicio, 43, was hailed as a hero for ending an assault on three children in Dublin after he jumped off his bike to hit the attacker over the head with his helmet.

The father-of-two told The Daily Mail that he “acted by instinct” after he drove past Parnell Square and saw what he thought was a “normal fight”.

Doctor passing stabbing on bike stopped to intubate girl, according to colleague

17:16 , Barney Davis

A nurse has asked people to think of a passing doctor who may have helped save the life of the Dublin stabbing victim.

The five-year-old girl stabbed outside the school in Dublin remains in critical condition at CHI Temple Street, Garda has confirmed this afternoon.

The six-year-old girl, who was receiving medical treatment for less serious injuries in CHI Crumlin, has now been discharged from hospital and returned to the care of her family, said Irish police.

After a parent shared a GoFundMe for the care worker escorting the kids to afterschool, one nurse replied: “Can I just also ask people to think Temple St Anaesthetic Consultant who was passing by on his bike and stopped to assist & intubated the little girl.”

Intubation is a process where a healthcare provider inserts a tube through a person’s mouth or nose, then down into their airway.

Chief suspect has had several credible threats on his life - police

16:16 , Barney Davis

The chief suspect in the horror stabbing in Dublin that sparked riots across the city is being protected by police in hospital.

There have been reports of credible threats to the individual’s life, The Irish Times reports.

Meanwhile, the adult man, aged in his late 40s, is in a serious but stable condition in a hospital in the Dublin Region, said Garda.

The force said he remains a “person of interest” in its inquiries as police continue to investigate the knife attack.

Father hails care worker an ‘absolute hero’ after protecting son from knifeman

16:09 , Tara Cobham

A father who says his six-year-old son was among the group of children targeted by a knifeman outside a Dublin school has hailed their care worker an “absolute hero” after she “stepped in front of a knife for him and the other kids”.

Writing on social media, Garrett Fitzgerald said: “My six-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.

“My son’s care worker stepped in front of a knife for him and the other kids. She wrestled the guy long enough, to allow the other kids to run away and for help to arrive. Words fail me.

“She’s an absolute hero.”

He said a GoFundMe has been set up for her by a friend.

The woman, aged in her 30s, is in a serious but stable condition in The Mater Hospital.

Mr Fitzgerald added: “She was one of many heroes yesterday, including passers-by who intervened, first responders and the children themselves.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those still in hospital and anyone who has been affected by this awful tragedy.”

Government will tighten anti-hate legislation, says Varadkar

15:30 , Tara Cobham

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s prime minister, has said his government would take immediate steps to tighten anti-hate legislation he said was unfit for the social media age.

"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.

Reserve Gardaí support enhanced policing operation in Dublin on Saturday

15:00 , Tara Cobham

Reserve Gardaí are supporting the enhanced policing operation in Dublin city centre on Saturday, Irish police have said.

Water cannon ‘an available tactic’ for Irish police in Dublin

14:30 , Tara Cobham

Use of water cannon is “an available tactic” for Irish police in the event of further disturbances in Dublin later.

There were chaotic scenes on Thursday evening – which involved far-right elements – with Garda cars, buses and trams set alight, and shops looted and damaged after a knife attack on three children and their care assistant outside a school in the north inner city.

Some 34 people were arrested during the scenes on the Irish capital’s main thoroughfare O’Connell Street, and Garda officers are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage from the night.

Rebecca Black reports:

Water cannon ‘an available tactic’ for Irish police in Dublin

How the Dublin riots began

14:00 , Tara Cobham

Violent riots that broke out across Dublin city centre on Thursday evening flared after a knife attack on children and their care assistant outside a school earlier in the day.

Three young children and an adult woman and man were all injured in the stabbings outside the Irish-medium primary school Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East at approximately 1.30pm, an incident that immediately made headlines.

Garda (Irish police) said on Saturday that they are continuing to investigate the knife attack, which left a five-year-old girl in a critical condition and still fighting for her life in hospital on Saturday.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Flares and fireworks at a crime scene: How the chaos in Dublin began

Legislation over use of body-worn cameras by police ‘to be fast-tracked'

13:30 , Tara Cobham

Amid criticism of the Garda response to the riots, Government ministers met and heard that legislation to facilitate the use of body-worn cameras by police officers will be fast-tracked.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee also told colleagues that officers are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage and vowed that further arrests would follow the 34 already made.

Some arrests on Friday evening

12:00 , Tara Cobham

There were a small number of arrests in Dublin city centre on Friday evening.

Gardai mounted a significant security operation around the O’Connell Street thoroughfare to avoid a repeat of the violent scenes from the night before.

Justice Minister rejects call from Sinn Fein leader to resign

11:30 , Tara Cobham

The Justice Minister rejected a call from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald for her and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to resign.

Helen McEntee said: “If Sinn Fein wish to debate law and order, if Sinn Fein wish to debate how we can support the gardai, I have no problem in standing over Fine Gael’s record of law and order, Fine Gael’s record of supporting members of An Garda Siochana.

“I do not believe Sinn Fein can stand over their record.”

Mrs McDonald said there had been a “an unacceptable, unprecedented collapse in policing” and that a problem leading to Thursday’s riot had been “building for months”.

Justice Minister insists Garda has resources to keep Dublin safe over weekend

11:00 , Tara Cobham

The Irish Justice Minister has insisted that the Garda has all the resources necessary to keep people in Dublin safe over the weekend.

Helen McEntee said this included securing the use of two water cannons from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Irish Justice Minister vows further arrests will follow in wake of Dublin riots

10:30 , Tara Cobham

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee has vowed that further arrests would follow the 34 already made in the wake of the riots in Dublin.

Some 32 people have so far been charged in connection to the disorder that broke out in the capital following a knife attack that left five people injured, including a five-year-old girl who is still fighting for her life.

Dublin City Centre is ‘open for normal business’, says Garda

09:15 , Tara Cobham

Dublin City Centre is “open for normal business”, Garda has said.

An enhanced policing plan was in place on Friday evening, said the force, after the violent riots that erupted in the Irish capital this week.

It comes as shoppers are expected to descend on high streets across the country for Black Friday weekend.

Conor McGregor reacts to Dublin riots after declaring Ireland is ‘at war’

08:31 , Tara Cobham

Conor McGregor has said he ‘does not condone’ the riots in Dublin but insisted that a ‘change’ must occur, after a knife attack left five people injured – including three children.

A five-year-old girl was left in critical condition after an attack in Dublin on Thursday (23 November), which led to violent protests in the Irish capital.

Former UFC champion McGregor was quick to criticise the government’s reaction to the stabbing, having already been vocal this week after the sentencing of Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovak who was jailed for life over the murder of 23-year-old Irish woman Ashling Murphy.

Alex Pattle, Combat Sports Correspondent reports:

Conor McGregor reacts to Dublin riots after declaring Ireland is ‘at war’

Irish police trawl through 6,000 hours of CCTV footage in Dublin riots probe

08:00 , Anuj Pant

Police in Ireland are trawling through 6,000 hours of CCTV footage as a major investigation into riots in Dublin’s city centre continues.

The violence in the Irish capital on Thursday – which involved far-right elements and saw Garda cars, buses and trams set alight and shops looted and damaged – flared after a knife attack on three children and their care assistant outside a school in the north inner city.

Justice minister Helen McEntee also told colleagues that officers are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage and vowed that further arrests would follow the 34 already made.

Ms McEntee also rejected a call from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald for her and Garda commissioner Drew Harris to resign.

Read more below.

Irish police trawl through 6,000 hours of CCTV footage in Dublin riots probe

Garda have ‘all resources necessary’ to keep people safe following Dublin riots

07:00 , Holly Evans

Ireland’s police force has all the resources necessary to keep people in Dublin safe over the weekend, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has vowed.

Ms McEntee also responded to criticism of the violent scenes in the city centre on Thursday night that saw Garda cars, buses and trams set alight and shops looted and damaged, by insisting she would not resign.

The violence in the Irish capital, which involved far-right elements, flared after a knife attack on three schoolchildren and their care assistant outside a school in the north inner city.

Read the full article here

Garda have ‘all resources necessary’ to keep people safe following Dublin riots

Legislation for police to use body-worn cameras to be fast-tracked

06:00 , Holly Evans

Legislation allowing Garda officers to use body-worn cameras is to be fast-tracked, Irish ministers have been told.

Ministers met on Friday evening to discuss the response to violence which flared in Dublin city centre on Thursday evening.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee told the meeting that Garda 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 near future, allowing body-worn cameras to come into use for gardai.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told ministers he had spoken with the principal of the Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire school, outside which three children and a woman were stabbed on Thursday, as well the manager of the Children’s Place Nursery and Montessori and representatives of the Dublin business community.

How the Dublin riots began

05:00 , Holly Evans

The riots that broke out across Dublin city centre on Thursday evening appear to have begun as a heated demonstration at the scene of a tragic incident that took place earlier in the day, Irish police have said.

Three young children and an adult woman and man were all injured in a knife attack outside the Irish-medium primary school Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East at approximately 1.30pm on Thursday lunchtime, an incident that immediately made headlines.

Two girls hurt in the attack are currently receiving treatment for serious injuries while a five-year-old boy has already been discharged from hospital. Both adults remain in care and are being treated for serious wounds.

Read the full article here

Flares and fireworks at a crime scene: How the chaos in Dublin began

‘Nobody could have anticipated’ Dublin violence, says Ireland police chief

04:00 , Holly Evans

‘Nobody could have anticipated’ Dublin violence, says Ireland police chief

Delivery driver who stopped attacker in Dublin recalls harrowing incident

03:00 , Holly Evans

Delivery driver who stopped attacker in Dublin recalls harrowing incident

Boris Johnson links Dublin ‘race riots’ to immigration fears

02:00 , Holly Evans

Boris Johnson has labelled the violent scenes in Dublin “race riots”, and suggested that “achingly liberal” countries like Ireland now have concerns about the pace of immigration.

The former UK prime minister used his weekly Daily Mail column to drawn on the disorder in the Irish capital to make the case for the UK to take tougher action to curb net migration.

It comes after the latest data showed a record number of arrivals to the UK last year.

Read the full article here

Boris Johnson links Dublin ‘race riots’ to immigration fears

Narrative of extremism must be challenged, Scottish First Minister says

01:00 , Holly Evans

The narrative of extremism must be challenged from wherever it emerges, Humza Yousaf has said.

The Scottish First Minister was speaking after rioting in Dublin, where he praised Irish police for “running towards danger”.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the scenes showed that elected politicians needed to be able to articulate the concerns of their electorate.

Read the full article here

Narrative of extremism must be challenged, Scottish First Minister says

Conor McGregor reacts to Dublin riots after declaring Ireland is ‘at war’

00:00 , Holly Evans

Conor McGregor has said he ‘does not condone’ the riots in Dublin but insisted that a ‘change’ must occur, after a knife attack left five people injured – including three children.

A five-year-old girl was left in critical condition after an attack in Dublin on Thursday (23 November), which led to violent protests in the Irish capital.

Former UFC champion McGregor was quick to criticise the government’s reaction to the stabbing, having already been vocal this week after the sentencing of Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovak who was jailed for life over the murder of 23-year-old Irish woman Ashling Murphy.

Read the full article here

Conor McGregor reacts to Dublin riots after declaring Ireland is ‘at war’

I lived through the Syrian war – but now I feel unsafe in Dublin

Friday 24 November 2023 23:00 , Holly Evans

Of all days, my introvert brown-skinned, half-Palestinian, half-Syrian husband, who embraces working from home as a software engineer, is out in Dublin city centre for his work Christmas dinner. I kiss him goodbye before he takes the Luas train, oblivious to how our night is about to turn upside down.

I’ve been following the news earlier in the day. I’ve read about the horrific stabbing of kids and caretakers. As a mother of a six-year-old boy, I think of the mothers receiving the news of their worst nightmare. Why in the world would anyone commit such a terrible crime?

Read the full article from Suad Aldarra here

I lived through the Syrian war – but now I feel unsafe in Dublin

Garda police make a number of arrests on Friday evening

Friday 24 November 2023 22:00 , Holly Evans

Gardai made a number of arrests on O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre on Friday night.

Police are mounting a significant security operation in the area following violence which flared in the aftermath of a stabbing attack on Thursday.

A number of people were taken away in police vans following sporadic altercations.

Fundraiser for hero driver raises twice as much as collection for children and carer

Friday 24 November 2023 20:55 , Jane Dalton

A fundraising effort for the motorbike food delivery driver who hit the knife attacker with his helmet has raised more than £210,000 so far.

The GoFundMe page was set up to “buy Caio Benicio a pint”.

As of 8.30pm on Friday it had raised €246,051, from more than 23,000 donations.

But a page to raise funds for the children and their care assistant attacked had raised only just over half that amount – €129,951 (£112,000) from just over 7,000 donations.

New arrests made in city centre

Friday 24 November 2023 20:26 , Jane Dalton

Gardai made a number of arrests in O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre on Friday night.

Police are mounting a significant security operation in the area following violence which flared in the aftermath of a stabbing attack on Thursday.

A number of people were taken away in police vans following sporadic altercations.

Body cameras for police to be fast-tracked, minister says

Friday 24 November 2023 20:04 , Jane Dalton

Legislation allowing Garda officers to use body-worn cameras is to be fast-tracked, Irish ministers have been told.

As ministers met to discuss the response to the violence, Justice Minister Helen McEntee told the meeting that gardai were trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage and further arrests were certain.

She also said the Recordings Devices Bill will be fast-tracked and enacted in the near future, allowing body-worn cameras to come into use for gardai.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told ministers he had spoken with the principal of the Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire school, outside which three children and a woman were stabbed on Thursday, as well the manager of the Children’s Place Nursery and Montessori and representatives of the Dublin business community.

Justice minister refuses to quit, insisting police have enough resources

Friday 24 November 2023 19:20 , Jane Dalton

Ireland’s police force has all the resources necessary to keep people in Dublin safe over the weekend, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has vowed.

She also responded to criticism of the violent scenes by insisting she would not resign.

Ms McEntee said: “What happened yesterday evening following this awful, tragic act was nothing but thuggery.

“This was a group of individuals who used this horrendous event as an opportunity to wreak havoc in our city, to sow division in our city, they will be responded to with force and gardai responded in the most appropriate way.

“They have restored order to this city and will continue to do so.”

The minister said she met senior Garda officers on Friday evening.

She added: “They have reassured me that every resource necessary to keep people safe in this city over the weekend is in place and will be in place as is needed and for as long as is needed.”

Sinn Fein leader calls for police chief and justice minister to quit

Friday 24 November 2023 18:45 , Jane Dalton

Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald has called on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Ireland’s justice minister Helen McEntee to resign.

“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 added she had spoken to both and went on: “They should resign, both of them... I’m saying that we now need a change.”

Recap: How did the Dublin riots start?

Friday 24 November 2023 18:00 , Matt Mathers

The riots that broke out across Dublin city centre on Thursday evening appear to have begun as a heated demonstration at the scene of a tragic incident that took place earlier in the day, Irish police have said.

Three young children and an adult woman and man were all injured in a knife attack outside the Irish-medium primary school Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East at approximately 1.30pm on Thursday lunchtime, an incident that immediately made headlines.

Full report:

Flares and fireworks at a crime scene: How the chaos in Dublin began

Boris Johnson blames high immigration for Dublin ‘race riots’

Friday 24 November 2023 17:44 , Jane Dalton

Boris Johnson has suggested that high levels of immigration are to blame for the Dublin riots, as he used the eruption of violence to knock the EU.

In his latest column for the Mail, the former Tory prime minister said people “will not accept demographic change at this kind of pace – even in the most achingly liberal of countries and capital cities”.

Mr Johnson added: “Look at what is happening in Dublin, where that lovely and happy city seems to have been engulfed by race riots.”

He also claimed the electoral victory of far-right candidate Geert Wilders in the Netherlands showed that immigration was too high across Europe.

“The people of Ireland and Holland, in my experience, are among the nicest, kindest, most generous in the world.

“And yet there are plainly large numbers in both countries who are starting to worry that something has gone wrong, and that the EU system of free movement – a border-free Europe for the entire 450million-strong territory – has too many downsides.”

Riot damage ‘could cost tens of millions of euros’, Leo Varadkar says

Friday 24 November 2023 17:30 , Matt Mathers

Damage done to public infrastructure in Dublin could cost in the tens of millions of euros, Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said, as he urged shoppers to go into the city centre.

Politicians have strongly criticised the violent scenes in Dublin that saw Garda cars, buses and trams set alight and shops looted and damaged.

David Young reports:

Riot damage ‘could cost tens of millions of euros’, Leo Varadkar says

Delivery driver who stopped attacker in Dublin recalls harrowing incident

Friday 24 November 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

A delivery driver who stopped a man attacking a girl in Dublin has said he is praying for her survival, Lucy Neeson reports.

Caio Benicio was on his motorbike working in Parnell Square East on Thursday when he saw what he first thought was a fight.

Mr Benicio said he saw the man grab a girl, take out a knife and attack her.

He said: “When I saw the knife, I stopped my bike and I just acted by instinct.”

He said he took his helmet off and hit the man in the head with it “with all of my power”.

“I didn’t even know there was more kids that were (hurt) at that time,” he said.

“I thought it was just one girl but afterwards I (found) out there are more people, more kids.”

Sinn Fein leader has ‘no confidence’ in justice minister or police commissioner

Friday 24 November 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she has “no confidence” in Irish justice minister Helen McEntee and the commissioner of Ireland’s police service Drew Harris.

Ms McDonald said there had been “an unacceptable, unprecedented collapse in policing” and that a problem leading to Thursday’s riot had been “building for months”.

In a statement, she said: “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.

“The gardai (Irish police) have my full support but, given the catastrophic operational failures last night, I have no confidence in the justice minister, and no confidence in the Garda Commissioner.”

Parnell Sqaure fully reopened after stabbings and riot

Friday 24 November 2023 15:45 , Matt Mathers

Parnell Sqaure has fully reopened following yesterday’s stabbings and riot.

Dublin City Council said buses are now using O’Connell Street although the northbound lane remains shut.

O’Connell Bridge is now closed on both the north and south quays to allow the Luas repair works to take place.

This is likely to take two hours. Please avoid the area.

McDonald: ‘Unacceptable failure to keep people safe'

Friday 24 November 2023 15:30 , Matt Mathers

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said there had been an “unacceptable failure to keep people safe” on Thursday night.

Ms McDonald said a “mob fuelled by hate” had wreaked havoc on the city.

In a statement, she said: “The cold truth and the reality that we must confront today is that the Gardaí lost control of the centre of our capital city. A mob was allowed to shut down the centre of the city. Public transport locked down. People stranded in the city.

“Members of the public, families and workers terrified in what was a threatening and volatile atmosphere. This was an unacceptable, unprecedented collapse in policing.

“The idea that this violence was unforeseeable is frankly 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.”

Sinn Fein leader condemns ‘barbaric’ knife attack and ‘racist mob’

Friday 24 November 2023 15:15 , Matt Mathers

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has condemned the “barbaric” knife attack that took place yesterday and the riot afterwards carried out by a “racist mob”.

“Our community has been  traumatised twice: by the barbaric knife attack on young children and their teacher, and then by  marauding racist mobs who ran riot on our streets,” she wrote on X.

“ Our community does not feel safe - Has not felt safe for some time now. This must change.”

Language important in immigration debate - NI secretary

Friday 24 November 2023 14:45 , Matt Mathers

Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said elected politicians needed to be able to articulate the concerns of their electorate to combat the rise of far-right extremism.

Speaking in Dublin following riots in the city, Mr Heaton-Harris referred to the rise of the British National Party in England.

Asked if he was worried that similar scenes could occur in the UK, he said: “I would like to think we wouldn’t see that on any of our streets but actually we have in the past.

“I don’t think I’m in a position to suggest nothing like that could happen in the future, or indeed suggest to the Irish as to how they could and should react to the pressures they have in this space.”

Mr Heaton-Harris added: “On the rise of the far right, it is up to democratically elected politicians to be able to articulate the concerns of their electorate and we need to do that better.

“We had in English politics the rise of the British National Party only a few years ago, they were elected to the European parliament, MEPs were elected to the European parliament in two regions of the United Kingdom.

“We need to as a society have a proper debate about migration, immigration, what we need in skills and how we treat people and what pressures it brings to our domestic services.

These need to be articulated by mainstream politicians because if we don’t articulate them then we do leave a vacuum for other people who might not be as benign as we are.”

More than 32 people called before court

Friday 24 November 2023 14:15 , Matt Mathers

More than thirty people have been called before Dublin District Court on charges relating to serious public disorder in the city on Thursday.

Those arrested faced various charges including offences relating to the misuse of drugs, theft and public order.

One man was charged with being in possession of knives.

As part of a range of bail conditions in the cases, many of those charged were ordered to abide by a curfew of between 11pm and 6am and to stay away from the Dublin 1 and and Dublin 2 areas.

Others were asked to sign in at garda stations numerous times per week. Most were ordered to appear before the courts in the new year.

McGregor ‘war’ comments condemned by deputy PM

Friday 24 November 2023 13:52 , Matt Mathers

Ireland’s deputy prime minister Michael Martin has condemned comments by UFC fighter Conor McGregor claiming the country was at “war”.

Speaking at a conference earlier, Martin said those types of comments were “disgraceful”.

“Isolated voices like that and voices that essentially are inciting hate and a degree of, to some extent, incitement is unacceptable," he added.

Dublin won’t be cowed violence - business group

Friday 24 November 2023 13:35 , Matt Mathers

A business lobby group has said Dublin would not be intimidated by violence as it issued  a reminder to the public that shops in the city centre would be open as usual today.

Dublin Town, which represents 2,500 members.  said the "city centre will not allow itself be cowed by the events of November 23".

CEO Richard Guiney said: "We need now to see the best of Dublin and Dubliners as businesses deal with the consequences of these events at what is a critical time for retail and hospitality".

"Our city has always been resilient and will remain so," he added.

‘Tens of millions of euro’ worth of damage caused in riots

Friday 24 November 2023 13:17 , Matt Mathers

The estimated cost of the damage caused in riots last night runs to tens of millions of euros, Leo Varadkar has said.

The Irish prime minister told a meeting of the British-Irish Council that help would be offered to the businesses affected.

Hotel windows and shops were smashed by the rioters, who also targeted public transport and the police.

Flowers left near scene of stabbings

Friday 24 November 2023 13:57 , Matt Mathers

Flowers have been left near the site where yesterday’s stabbings happened.

Three boquets could be seen next to a wall near Parnell Square, where a knifeman attacked several people.

A five-year-old girl stabbed during the attack remains in a critical condition, police said earlier.

ICYMI: Three young children and woman injured in knife attack outside Dublin school

Friday 24 November 2023 12:40 , Matt Mathers

Three young children have been injured, one seriously, following a knife attack outside a school in Dublin city centre.

A woman was also seriously injured in the incident on Parnell Square East in the north inner-city on Thursday afternoon.

Full report:

Three young children and woman injured in knife attack outside Dublin school

ICYMI: Police arrest 34 people after rioting in Dublin following school knife attack

Friday 24 November 2023 12:20 , Matt Mathers

Some 34 people have been arrested after “huge destruction by a riotous mob” in Dublin, the head of Ireland’s police force has said.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said one Garda officer received a serious injury, with “numerous other members injured” as missiles were thrown at them.

Police arrest 34 people after rioting in Dublin following school knife attack

Dublin riots: Looted shops, blockaded roads and burning cars in night of violence

Friday 24 November 2023 12:00 , Matt Mathers

Irish police have condemned rioting that broke out in Dublin city centre in the aftermath of a knife attack which left three young children and a woman injured, Oliver Browning reports.

Impromptu protests in the aftermath of Thursday afternoon’s attack outside a school on Parnell Square East in the north inner city spiralled into a night of violence and disorder as buses, trams and at least one Garda vehicle were burned.

A shop was also looted on one of Dublin’s most famous throughfares, O’Connell Street.

There were clashes with riot police as some demonstrators let off flares and fireworks, while others flung chairs and stools grabbed from outside bars and restaurants.

Shortly before midnight, gardai said calm had been restored in the city.

Watch:

Looted shops, blockaded roads and burning cars in night of violence in Dublin

Union calls for show of solidary at 1pm on Monday

Friday 24 November 2023 11:36 , Matt Mathers

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called for a show of solidarity following yesterday’s stabbings and riots.

The ICTU is calling on workers who are employed in the city centre to assemble outside the General Post Office at 1pm on Monday to “denounce this violence and riotous behaviour in a solemn and respectful way”.

It calls on employers to help facilitate the demonstrations following violence that had done “significant damage” across the capital.

‘Real heroes’

Friday 24 November 2023 11:00 , Matt Mathers

Leo Varadkar hailed those of multiple nationalities who intervened to stop the stabbing attack as it unfolded, describing them as “real Irish heroes”.

“Yesterday evening, some people decided that the best way to respond to this terrible attack was to take to the streets of Dublin and try to terrify, intimidate, loot and destroy,” the Irish prime minister told a press conference earlier.

“Their first reaction to a five-year-old child being stabbed was to burn our city, attack its businesses and assault our gardai.

“As a result of their actions, buses and trams were set on fire, innocent passers-by were intimidated and pregnant women in Rotunda Hospital were made to feel unsafe and in danger. These people claim to be defending Irish citizens, yet they put in danger the newest and most vulnerable and most innocent people.

“Those involved brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland and brought shame on their families and themselves. These criminals did not do what they did because they love Ireland. They did not do what they did because they wanted to protect Irish people. They did not do it out of any sense of patriotism, however warped. They did so because they’re filled with hate, they love violence, they love chaos and they love causing pain to others.”

Varadkar: Being Irish is about ‘more than beating your chest'

Friday 24 November 2023 10:50 , Matt Mathers

Leo Varadkar has said being Irish is about “being more than beating your chest” as he condemned those involved in last night’s violence.

“Being Irish means more than saluting the tricolour, beating your chest and pointing to where you were born,” he said at a press conference earlier.

“It means living up to the ideals represented by our flag. It means being true to our own history and it means acting with compassion for others.

“Today I call on us all to remember who we really are because we’re better than this and it’s time we came together and reminded others who claim to speak for us about what our country really stand for.”

Five-year-old girl remains in a critical condition - police

Friday 24 November 2023 10:36 , Matt Mathers

Irish police say they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbings in Dublin city centre yesterday in which multiple people were injured.

The scene of the incident at Parnell Square East remains cordoned off and the road is closed to traffic and diversions are in place.

The five-year-old girl who was seriously injured during the incident remains in a critical condition in CHI Temple Street.

Another girl, aged 6, continues to receive medical treatment for less serious injuries in CHI Crumlin.

The boy, aged 5, was discharged from CHI Crumlin yesterday evening.

The adult female, aged in her 30s, remains in a serious condition in the Mater Hospital.

The adult male, aged in his 50s, also remains in a serious condition in a hospital in the Dublin region.

32 people charged in connection with riots

Friday 24 November 2023 10:26 , Matt Mathers

A total of 32 people have been charged so far in connection with riots last night in Dublin, Irish police have said.

Some 250 public order officers supported 400 police in responding to violence that rocked the city centre.

In an update on Friday morning,  the Garda (Irish police) also said:

• Seven (7) vehicles were damaged by fire including three (3) buses, three (3) Garda patrol cars and one (1) Luas tram.

• Eight (8) other Garda vehicles were extensively damaged .

• Thirteen (13) properties were attacked and substantially damaged.

• A number of members of An Garda Síochána were injured; one (1) seriously injured member, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital

‘Nobody could have anticipated’ Dublin violence, says Ireland police chief

Friday 24 November 2023 10:15 , Matt Mathers

The huge destruction and rioting in Dublin “could not have been anticipated”, Ireland’s police chief has said, Lucy Neeson reports.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris spoke at a press conference on Friday morning (24 November) after police officers were injured, shops were looted and vehicles set alight during riots the previous evening.

The riots followed a stabbing in Parnell Square in which three children and their teacher were injured.

A five-year-old girl is in critical condition, a six-year-old girl sustained head injuries and the teacher, a woman, is seriously ill.

A boy aged five has minor wounds and has been discharged from hospital.

Watch the clip here:

‘Nobody could have anticipated’ Dublin violence, says Ireland police chief

We’ll change law to help police make better use of CCTV evidence, Varadkar says

Friday 24 November 2023 10:02 , Matt Mathers

Ireland’s prime minister pledged to modernise laws against hatred in the coming weeks after 34 people were arrested for rioting in Dublin on Thursday night.

"We will pass new laws in the coming weeks to enable the Gardai (police) to make better use of the CCTV evidence they collected yesterday, and also we will modernise our laws against incitement to hatred and hatred in general," Leo Varadkar told a news conference on Friday.

"I think it’s now very obvious to anyone who might have doubted us that our incitement to hatred legislation is just not up to date. It’s not up to date for the social media age. And we need that legislation through within a matter of weeks."

Varadkar: 500 involved in riots

Friday 24 November 2023 09:57 , Matt Mathers

Varadkar also pays tribute to the police for their efforts during last night’s riots, saying he has full confidence in the Garda leadership.

He said he is working closely with the justice ministers to bring those responsible for the rioting to justice.

He tells reporters that around 500 people were involved in the riot and that 400 officers were dispatched to quell the violence.

Irish PM: Violence stemmed from ‘hate’

Friday 24 November 2023 09:47 , Matt Mathers

Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar is addressing the stabbings and riots in a press conference this morning in Dublin.

He says those who carried out the violence across the city last night had brought “shame” on Ireland.

"This is not who we are and not who we will ever be," he adds.

He said their first reaction to the stabbings was to “burn out city”. "They do not do it out of any sense of patriotism, however warped", he adds, saying that the violence stemmed instead from "hate".