Demonstrations Erupt in Dublin Following Knife Assault Injuring Three Children, One Critically

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Following a knife assault in central Dublin that left a five-year-old girl in critical condition, demonstrations erupted on Thursday evening. In the incident, a woman and two other children also sustained injuries.

Irish authorities have not classified the incident as an act of terrorism. They are focusing on a man in his fifties, currently hospitalized with serious injuries, as a key suspect in the investigation.

The police have stated they are pursuing a specific line of inquiry and are not seeking additional suspects. The violence occurred near a school in downtown Dublin shortly after 1:30 p.m.

As evening approached, protesters began to violently confront police, setting off flares and fireworks near the scene. Police, equipped with shields, were forced to repel aggressive demonstrators who were attempting to physically assault them. Many attackers concealed their identities with masks.

Several police vehicles and a tram sustained damage amid the unrest in the city center. A bus and a car were set ablaze on the O’Connell Bridge.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned the violent demonstrations, stating, “The scenes we are witnessing this evening in our city center cannot and will not be tolerated. We cannot allow a manipulative and violent minority to exploit a terrible tragedy to create chaos.”

Superintendent Liam Geraghty, in an earlier press briefing, indicated that the attack on Parnell Square East appeared to be an isolated event, unconnected to broader national or city issues. He emphasized the need to establish the precise motive behind the attack.

Geraghty confirmed that a knife was used in the assault, as reported by witnesses, but did not elaborate on the extent of the injuries. He praised the bravery of bystanders who intervened to disarm the attacker.

Geraghty noted that the woman, in her thirties, was seriously injured, while the two other children, a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, suffered less severe injuries. He mentioned that the boy had been released from the hospital.

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• Dublin Knife Attack News
• Irish Police Statement on Dublin Incident
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• Justice Minister’s Remarks on Dublin Violence
• Witness Accounts of Dublin Knife Assault
• Updates on Victims’ Conditions Post Dublin Attack