Dublin stabbings – latest: Workers told to stay away as riots break out across city

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin, Superintendent Liam Geraghty said An Garda Siochana “continues to have an open mind at this early stage of the investigation”, but are satisfied there is no terrorist link.

“This is a very early stage of the investigation which is not even four hours old at this stage, but at this time An Garda Siochana is satisfied from our inquiries that there is no terror-related activity or related to any wider aspects in relation to this matter,” he said.

“It would appear to be a standalone attack, and we need to determine the reasons behind that.”

Supt Geraghty said his understanding is that a knife was used in the attack, but he could not provide more detail on the nature of the injuries.

A Garda public order unit was deployed in the area around Parnell Square and O’Connell Street just before 7pm as protesters started to scuffle with officers and flares and fireworks were thrown at the Garda cordon.

As the violence escalated, a Garda car was set alight, a Luas tram and several buses on O’Connell Street were set on fire, and a bus and car were torched on O’Connell Bridge.

Rioters looted a Foot Locker store in O’Connell Steet as bottles were thrown at gardai on the famous Dublin street.

In a series of co-ordinated presses, gardai dispersed a large portion of the crowd on to nearby roads.

Smoke from bus and car fires filled the air while a Garda helicopter monitored the situation from overhead.

Dublin Fire Brigade responded to a large fire that had engulfed a Luas tram on O’Connell Street, which appeared to have spread to buses parked nearby.

Irish president Michael D Higgins has expressed his sympathies for the children injured in the attack on Parnell Square East in Dublin City centre this evening.

In a statement, he said that “all of our thoughts are with each of the children and their families affected by today’s horrific attack”.

“We are particularly thinking of the five-year-old girl and the member of staff caring for her who are both in serious condition in hospital,” he said.

“All of our prayers are with each of them for a full recovery.

“The Gardai deserve all of our support in dealing with this incident.

“This appalling incident is a matter for the Gardai and that it would be used or abused by groups with an agenda that attacks the principle of social inclusion is reprehensible and deserves condemnation by all those who believe in the rule of law and democracy.”

Police and politicians have called for calm amid warnings against misinformation as violence broke out in Dublin following a knife attack on a woman and three young children near a school.

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee labelled the scenes in the city centre “intolerable”, and said a “thuggish and manipulative element must not be allowed to use an appalling tragedy to wreak havoc”.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said a “complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology” is behind disorder in the capital.

Police said more than 400 officers in riot gear were deployed to control the violent protests after a stabbing incident that left five injured.

A police cordon was also set up around the Irish Parliament building, Leinster House, and officers from the Mounted Support Unit were in nearby Grafton Street.

Violent clashes on the streets saw people setting fire to police vehicles, buses, cars and trams, causing disruption of all the public transport services.

Shop windows were routinely smashed and a Foot Locker store was looted. All public transport in the city — trams and buses — was suspended and many firms have urged their staff to work from home on Friday.

In a video statement, chief superintendent Patrick McMenamin said police forces are on patrol on the streets after the situation returned to normal in Dublin city centre.

“Dublin city centre is now calm and returning to normal,” he said, adding that Gardaí remained on patrol in the city centre.

He said “significant levels” of public disorder and criminal damage were carried out by small groups of “violent individuals”.

“Public Transport was attacked, Garda vehicles were damaged and some commercial businesses were attacked,” he said.

“Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported by the public as a result of tonight’s violence.

“Some of my colleagues were attacked and assaulted, thankfully none were seriously injured and I commend them all on their bravery to protect our community.”

Dublin police have said a man in his 50s is a “person of interest” in their investigation into the stabbing incident that triggered violent riots in the city.

The male is also being treated for serious injuries at a hospital in the Dublin region.

No other details about his identity were revealed.

But police said they are not looking for any other person at this time.