Violence erupts in Dublin after 'knife attack' leaves 3 kids injured

Chaotic scenes gripped Dublin Thursday evening as protesters and rioters clashed with police, hours after a knife assault near a school left three children seriously injured.

Violent protest in Dublin after knife attack

Violence broke out on O’Connell Street and other central areas as crowds hurled fireworks and projectiles at law enforcement, reported Irish news outlets. Police described the unrest as a “disgraceful” public disorder that would not be tolerated.

Earlier in the day, a knife-wielding assailant attacked a group of five people including a mother and three children outside a Dublin city centre school around 1:30 pm.

A 5-year-old girl was rushed for emergency treatment at the Children’s Health Ireland hospital with serious injuries. Two other young children were hospitalized alongside a woman in her 40s, while a fourth child sustained minor wounds.

The Irish police said a man also hospitalized after the incident with non-life-threatening injuries was a “person of interest” in the attack. Authorities stated they had a solid investigative lead and were not seeking any other suspects.

Garda Commissioner’s stance

Addressing a press conference, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said, “The facts are still not clear and a lot of rumour and innuendo is being spread for malevolent purposes.” He appealed for calm as investigations continued.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee blasted the “appalling attack on three innocent children” as deeply shocking. She slammed violent protesters for “manipulatively” exploiting the tragedy to spark havoc.

Disturbing footage showed rioters setting fire to a Garda squad car as the unrest escalated Thursday night. Unverified reports indicate protesters may have initiated violence in response to unfounded rumours about the ethnicity of suspects related to the knife assault.

Not a terror motive: Irish Police

Police officials emphasised their investigations so far do not indicate a terror motive, despite the traumatic broad-daylight nature of the attack.

As Dublin reels from the day’s violence, authorities are bracing for potential retaliation attacks in a city recently gripped by escalating gangland crime. Community leaders called for both police accountability and an end to destructive riots that will only deepen divisions.

With investigations still ongoing, the government underscored its commitment to fully uncovering the facts behind the horrific knife assault and holding those responsible to account.