DUBLIN, Ireland – Violent protests erupted in Dublin after a brutal knife attack left four people, including three young children, injured outside a school in the city. The incident sparked clashes between protesters and police, leading to a chaotic scene in the city center.
A five-year-old girl and a woman in her 30s sustained serious injuries in the attack, while a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl suffered milder injuries. The woman works at the school and cares for the children, according to Irish broadcaster RTE. The suspect, a man in his 50s, was also hospitalized with serious injuries and has been detained in relation to the incident.
Despite the alarming nature of the attack, Superintendent Liam Geraghty assured reporters that there was no indication of terrorism-related activity, describing the incident as a “standalone attack.” However, Police Chief Drew Harris stressed that all possible motives were being considered and urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation about the incident.
Later in the evening, clashes broke out between police and protesters, during which a police car and a bus were set on fire. Police Chief Harris condemned the violent scenes and attributed the disorder to a “complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology.”
Eyewitness accounts of the stabbing painted a chaotic scene as people rushed to the aid of the victims. Siobhan Kearney, who witnessed the attack, described the initial chaos and how a group of people restrained the suspect until the police arrived.
Politicians and community leaders expressed shock and condemnation of the attack, with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar thanking the emergency services for their swift response. Local lawmaker Aodhan O Riordain called the incident “disturbing” and expressed hope that the injuries were not serious.
The leader of the Sinn Fein opposition party, Mary Lou McDonald, also conveyed her horror at the incident and extended solidarity to the families of the victims. She commended the swift response of the police and expressed empathy for the trauma experienced by the school community.
The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, and authorities continue to appeal for calm and the avoidance of misinformation amid the ongoing protests. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shocking incident, there is a collective hope for the swift recovery of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for the violence.