Violence erupted in central Dublin on Thursday evening as protests broke out following a knife attack that left a 5-year-old girl in critical condition and three others injured. Irish police stated that they do not believe the incident to be terror-related and have identified a man in his 50s, who is also hospitalized with serious injuries, as a person of interest. The attack took place outside a school in the heart of Dublin in the early afternoon, prompting the police to establish a cordon around the area.

Later in the evening, the situation escalated as protesters fired flares and fireworks at the police cordon, causing chaos in the city center. The police, armed with shields, attempted to fend off the violent demonstrators who were attempting to physically assault them. Many of the assailants had their faces covered. During the disorder, several police vehicles and a tram were damaged, and a bus and car were set on fire on the city's O'Connell Bridge.

Speaking on the events, Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned the violence, stating, "The scenes we are witnessing this evening in our city center cannot and will not be tolerated." She emphasized that the tragedy should not be exploited by a "thuggish and manipulative element" to wreak havoc.

Earlier, Superintendent Liam Geraghty provided preliminary details of the incident, informing the media that a man had attacked multiple individuals on Parnell Square East. He clarified that the police believe it to be a standalone incident unrelated to any ongoing issues within the country or the city. However, he stressed the need to establish the exact motives behind the attack.

Geraghty confirmed witness reports that a knife was used in the assault but could not provide further details on the extent of the injuries. He did acknowledge that members of the public intervened at an early stage to disarm the attacker, praising their courage. The woman in her 30s sustained serious injuries, while the two children, a 5-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, suffered less severe wounds. The boy has since been discharged from the hospital.

According to the police, a suspect is in custody, and an investigation is ongoing. The Garda S?­ochana, the Irish police force, described the incident as a serious public order incident and urged the public to remain calm. However, tensions escalated as violent scenes unfolded later in the day, with rioters attacking police vehicles and setting fires in Dublin's streets. The police attributed the violence to a far-right faction and appealed for the crowds to disperse.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris expressed his disapproval of the riots, labeling them as “disgraceful” and suggesting that misinformation spread online for "malevolent purposes" may have incited the unrest. The suspect in custody, a man in his late 40s or early 50s, sustained injuries during the incident. The police confirmed that all five injured individuals, including the children, were receiving medical treatment in hospitals across the Dublin region. The police force assured that they were in contact with the parents of the children.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee, in a statement, described the knife attack as "an appalling crime" and called for calm, assuring the public that the scenes witnessed in the city center would not be tolerated. She announced her intention to meet with the police commissioner to discuss the policing plan for the city and address the unrest that had unfolded.