Protesters in Dublin erupted into riots after the stabbing of five people, including three children on Thursday.
Law enforcement personnel have not yet ruled out any motive in the apparent attack, including whether or not it could be terror-related. Authorities ordered the suspension of public transport and patients were advised not to travel to a nearby maternity hospital unless it was absolutely necessary.
Dublin Riots
This is because there were clashes between riot police and anti-immigrant protesters who arrived at the scene of the crime beside the main thoroughfare of O'Connell Street. There was also a double-decker bus that was burned to the ground in front of the Daniel O'Connell status at the head of the street.
Additionally, the windows at a nearby Holiday Inn hotel and Mcdonald's restaurant were smashed while a footlocker store was looted. In a statement, Police Commissioner Drew Harris said that they saw some disgraceful scenes.
He noted that there was a completely lunatic, hooligan faction that was driven by far-right ideology which was engaged in serious violence. Harris' remarks came after he deployed 400 officers to restore public order in the area, as per Reuters.
This type of rioting was almost never seen in Dublin as there were no far-right parties or politicians elected to parliament. However, small anti-immigrant protests have grown in the region in the past year.
The government is now reviewing security around parliament after a recent protest led to lawmakers inside being trapped. Harris added that all lines of inquiry related to the attack remained open, contradicting a senior officer who previously said that police were already satisfied that the incident was not terror-related.
The police commissioner said that he would not be speculating any further with respect to a terrorist motive. He added that they have to keep an open mind as to why the incident occurred until they are sure what the motive was.
Officials revealed that a five-year-old girl was receiving emergency treatment after sustaining serious injuries in the stabbing incident. Another individual, a man in his late 40s, was also being treated for serious injuries. The latter was arrested by police who said that they are not looking for any other suspect in the case.
Stabbing of 5 People, Including Children
An Ireland correspondent said that rioters have largely dispersed following the initial encounters. On the other hand, law enforcement officials in the city center said that the streets were "mainly calm," according to BBC.
Authorities noted that during the chaotic situation, a police cordon was established around the Irish Parliament building, Leinster House, and officers from the Mounted Support Unit were on nearby Grafton Street. Some of the rioters were seen setting off flares and fireworks while others grabbed chairs and stools outside bars and restaurants.
Harris said that they were establishing the facts of the case but noted that they were still not clear. He noted that a lot of the rumors and innuendos were being spread for malevolent purposes. The police commissioner expressed his hopes that people would calm down, go home, and allow them to do their duties, said Fox News.
