DUBLIN: Protesters on Thursday fought running battles with police, torched vehicles and looted shops in Dublin, after three young children were injured in a knife attack outside a school. The incident took place in Parnell Square East, north-central Dublin.
A man in his fifties, armed with a knife, stabbed victims outside the school, leading to chaos in the area.
The aftermath of the attack saw protesters engaging in running battles with the police, setting vehicles on fire, and looting shops.
The unrest, considered the worst in Dublin in years, reflected deepseated tensions exacerbated by the chronic housing crisis in Ireland.
The government has acknowledged a significant deficit in housing, estimating a shortage of hundreds of thousands of homes for the general population.
This has fuelled dissatisfaction and contributed to a broader antiimmigrant sentiment. Rumors on social media regarding the nationality of the assailant added fuel to the already tense situation, leading to chants and signs reading “Irish Lives Matter” during the protests.
Some protesters expressed frustration, with one stating that “Irish people are being attacked by these scum”. Ireland, like many other places, has seen a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, with far-right figures promoting claims that “Ireland is full”.
The police, in riot gear, faced a challenging situation as crowds taunted them, set off fireworks, and engaged in acts of vandalism.
The scene near O’Connell Bridge witnessed a torched car and bus, along with looting on one of the city’s main shopping streets.
The police chief, Drew Harris, attributed the unrest to a “complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology” and cautioned against the spread of misinformation.
The protests featured elements of anti-immigrant sentiment, and signs and chants indicated a divisive atmosphere.
The incident involved a man stabbing victims outside the school, leading to a significant police response. Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, and a suspect was arrested.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar expressed shock at the incident and thanked the emergency services for their swift response.
The protests eventually subsided, and calm was restored by late evening. However, the incident highlighted societal tensions, antiimmigrant sentiments, and the impact of Ireland’s housing crisis on public discontent. Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned the scenes of violence, stating that they “cannot and will not be tolerated”, and pledged to take action against those responsible. – AFP
