Violent scenes, which included a Garda car being set on fire, have been unfolding close to the site of a knife attack in Dublin City Centre, as crowds of protesters have gathered.
A Garda public order unit has resultantly been deployed in the area around Parnell Square, Parnell Street and O’Connell Street.
It’s been widely reported that some protesters have been involved in scuffles with gardaí while others threw bottles at officers.
It is believed around 150 protesters are currently at the scene, while fireworks have also been seen going off near O'Connell Street.
Shortly before 7pm, a garda car was set on fire, while another fire was burning on the opposite side of the street. Explosions could also be heard in the locality.
Several windows of a Luas tram have been smashed, while there are also reports that a Luas tram was set on fire.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris condemned the "disgraceful scenes".
“I think there’s disgraceful scenes in terms of a major investigation, the maintenance of a scene and the gathering of evidence. We have a complete lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology, and also then this disruptive tendency engaged in serious violence.”
“It’s our responsibility to make sure that we police the streets, and part of that is we ask people to act responsibly and not to listen to the misinformation and rumour that is circulating on social media.”
“The facts are being established, but the facts are still not clear on a lot of the rumour and the innuendo is being spread for malevolent purposes.”
An Garda Síochána continue to investigate all the circumstances of a serious assault which occurred on Parnell Square East shortly after 1:30pm this afternoon Thursday, 23rd November 2023.
Preliminary indications are that a male attacked a number of people on Parnell Square East.
Five (5) casualties have been taken to hospitals in the Dublin Region.
These casualties include three (3) young children, an adult female and an adult male.
One girl aged 5 has sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street.
A boy aged 5 and a girl aged 6 years, who received less serious injuries were brought to CHI Crumlin for treatment. The boy has since been discharged from CHI Crumlin.
An Garda Síochána is providing support to the children's parents.
The adult female in her 30s is being treated for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital.
An adult male in his 50s is also being treated for serious injuries at a Hospital in the Dublin Region.
The scene remains sealed off at this time and a technical examination of the scene is ongoing.
An incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.
An Garda Síochána is following a definite line of inquiry. The male in his 50s is a person of interest in this investigation. An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person at this time.
An Garda Síochána continues to have an open mind at this early stage of the investigation.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí. Investigating Gardaí are also appealing to any person who may have mobile phone footage of the attack or the immediate aftermath to make this footage available to An Garda Síochána.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station 01 6668600 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
An Garda Síochána are not in a position to provide any further information at this early stage of the investigation.
