Friday, November 24, 2023
Following a riot in Dublin sparked by a knife assault that injured multiple people, including three children, the UK Government has upgraded its travel advice for the Irish city. Vehicles were set on fire, and stores were plundered, in what Ireland police chief, Drew Harris, has characterised as a “lunatic, hooligan faction with a far-right ideology.”
A wave of far-right violence in Dublin prompted Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to vow a crackdown, describing the rampage as a “shame on Ireland.” Thirty-four people were arrested following clashes that erupted in the city center. The violence unfolded after a five-year-old girl was brutally attacked at a school on Thursday, resulting in serious injuries. A woman and two other young children were also hospitalized in connection with the incident.
Labelling the perpetrators as a “lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology,” Varadkar asserted that his government would deploy the “full resources of the law” to punish those responsible. The chaos prompted a swift police response, with more than 400 officers, including riot police, deployed to quell the unrest. The disturbances included torched vehicles, attacks on riot police, and clashes with anti-immigrant protesters.
The nationality of a man detained in connection with the stabbings has not been disclosed by authorities. However, social media speculation about the suspect’s ethnic background led to a small group of anti-immigrant protesters converging on the scene, further intensifying the situation. Subsequently, around 100 individuals took to the streets, armed with metal bars and concealing their faces.
In the aftermath, public transport in the city was suspended, and businesses urged employees to work from home. The violence resulted in damaged police vehicles, a tram, and a bus, while a car was set ablaze on O’Connell Bridge. Opportunistic looting and vandalism also occurred, prompting a police cordon around the Irish parliament building, Leinster House.
Police confirmed 34 arrests and indicated the possibility of more in the coming days. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris attributed the violence to a “complete lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology.” He did not rule out a potential “terrorist” link and described the outbreak as unprecedented in decades.
Prime Minister Varadkar emphasized the need to reclaim Ireland from those “filled with hate” and pledged to utilize the full legal machinery to punish those involved. Additionally, he outlined plans to pass new laws to enhance the use of CCTV evidence collected during the unrest and modernize legislation pertaining to hate and incitement.
The incident has highlighted the rise of anti-immigrant sentiments in Ireland, prompting a government review of parliamentary security after recent protests trapped MPs inside. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, Varadkar’s commitment to confronting hate and violence signals a determined effort to safeguard the values of tolerance and inclusivity.
Tags: Dublin, travel advice, UK
Saturday, April 27, 2024
