Dublin, Ireland - In the wake of a knife attack that left three children and a teacher injured, Dublin city centre witnessed a night of chaos resulting in significant damage and 34 arrests on friday, according to the Irish police.
Violence erupted, leading to the destruction of 11 police vehicles and extensive damage to 13 shops, some of which were looted during clashes with law enforcement. The Irish police force, Garda Síochána, reported injuries to several officers, with one sustaining serious harm.
Authorities attributed the outbreak of violence to far-right agitators, who clashed with police after a small group of anti-immigrant protesters arrived at the scene of the stabbing attack near O'Connell Street. The situation escalated as local youths joined the protestors, resulting in a crowd of 200 to 300 people.
The clashes led to the burning of a double-decker bus, a tram, and a police car. Public transport was shut down, and residents were urged to stay away from large parts of the city.
"It was gratuitous thuggery," Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin said in a video statement on the social media platform X, declaring that calm had been restored.
"Some of my colleagues were also attacked and assaulted. Thankfully there were no serious reports of injury."
