Irish police have arrested 34 individuals in Dublin for rioting after the stabbing of five people, including three young children, triggered chaotic protests rarely witnessed in the capital. The disturbances, attributed to far-right agitators, unfolded after a group of anti-immigrant protesters clashed with police near the scene of the stabbings on O’Connell Street.
Police Commissioner Drew Harris expressed his expectation of additional arrests, emphasizing a heavy police presence in the city. Harris blamed radicalization, citing the distortion of facts leading to hateful assumptions and disruptive behavior.
The riots saw a convergence of local youths with protesters, some chanting “get them out” and displaying signs like “Irish Lives Matter.” The violence resulted in damage to shops, looting, destruction of police vehicles, and injuries, including a seriously injured officer.
Dublin Fire Brigade worked to secure the scene, dampening down a smoldering tram on O’Connell Street. Public transport resumed with restrictions, and barricades were erected in shopping areas where Black Friday sales were scheduled. Security measures included police guarding stores with broken windows, like Foot Locker, which was looted during the riots.
The stabbing victims, including a five-year-old girl in critical condition, prompted an ongoing police investigation. The detained man in his late 40s, being treated for serious injuries, is not considered part of a wider suspect search.
Police have not ruled out any motive, including terrorism, as they address concerns over the rise of anti-immigrant sentiments. The government is reassessing parliamentary security following recent protests that trapped lawmakers inside.