Knife attack in Dublin leaves five injured, including three children
DUBLIN, Nov 23 (Reuters) – A knife attack in central Dublin on Thursday left five people injured, including three young children, sparking clashes between riot police and a group of anti-immigrant protesters.
The incident occurred near the main thoroughfare of O’Connell Street, and a police car and double decker bus were burnt out in the aftermath, with windows smashed at a nearby hotel and restaurant.
A five-year-old girl was receiving emergency treatment for serious injuries sustained in the stabbing. A man in his late 40s, also being treated for serious injuries, was arrested by police, who said they are not looking for any other suspect.
“I never ruled out any possible motive for this attack. As I’ve said right from the start … all lines of inquiry are open to determine the motive,” said Drew Harris, a senior police officer.
The attack happened near Dublin’s Parnell Square shortly after 1330 GMT, and members of the public intervened at an early stage to stop the assailant from causing further harm.
A woman in her 30s was also being treated for serious injuries, while the two other children, a five-year-old boy and six-year-old girl, suffered less serious injuries. The boy has since been discharged from the hospital.
The scene was still sealed off on Thursday evening when a group of around 50 anti-immigrant protesters briefly broke through a police barrier, with some engaging in violent behavior and damaging police vehicles.
“They are disgraceful scenes. We have a complete lunatic hooligan faction driven by far right ideology engaged in serious violence,” Harris said.
Police said they were not in a position to confirm specific details of anyone involved in the incident when asked about the nationality of the detained man. While the attack happened near a school, police do not believe it was an attack targeting the school.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said in a statement that “we are all shocked by the incident”.
Reporting by Conor Humphries and Clodagh Kilcoyne, additional reporting and writing by Padraic Halpin; editing by William James, Alexandra Hudson, Kirsten Donovan and David Evans