By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) – Violent protests erupted on the streets of Ireland's capital Dublin after five people, including a child and a woman, were injured in a stabbing attack.
According to local media reports, the knife attack left a five-year-old girl and a woman in her 30s seriously injured, with three others sustaining injuries.
The incident occurred around 13.40 local time on Parnell Square East, near the bustling O'Connell Street. Two more victims, a six-year-old girl, and a five-year-old boy, were stabbed outside a nearby school.
Irish police have identified a man in his 50s as a “person of interest,” and he is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries. Authorities have clarified that they are not actively seeking other individuals at this moment and are pursuing a specific line of inquiry.
Following the attack, there were tumultuous scenes near the incident site as protesters congregated in the area. Riot shields and batons were employed by officers, and several police vehicles suffered damage during a clash with protesters.
A social media post showing a blaze engulfing a building claimed that it was the footage of an arson attack on a building migrants resided in.
Another X user posted: "Police car on fire in Dublin. The Irish are fed up and angry about fake refugees attacking children and committing all kinds of crimes. All Europeans are fed up and angry."
At least one police car and a public bus have been set alight, according to media reports.
Despite some reports saying that an Algerian immigrant was responsible for the stabbings of men, women, and children today, police did not confirm the identity of the man arrested.
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar mentioned the deployment of additional police force in response to the situation.
Garda (Police) Commissioner Drew Harris attributed the violence to a "lunatic, hooligan faction" that engaged in aggressive behavior while law enforcement worked to secure the crime scene.