The violent protests were triggered by a knife attack near a primary school. A 50-year-old attacker injured three children and a teacher on Thursday afternoon. A five-year-old girl suffered serious injuries. The police arrested the suspect. After initial investigations, she ruled out a terrorist background. However, Prime Minister Varadkar emphasized on Friday that “nothing was being ruled out” with regard to the motive for the crime.
The violence began on Thursday evening after rumors circulated on online networks that the knife attack was carried out by a foreigner. Rioters set fire to cars, buses and trams and looted shops on O’Connell Street, a popular shopping street.
The scene of the violence was Parnell Square East, a predominantly migrant district in north Dublin. Some rioters held signs reading “Irish Lives Matter.”
Demonstrators attacked security forces with pyrotechnics and fireworks or threw chairs and stools at surrounding bars and restaurants. Police surrounded the parliament building to prevent the violent protests from spreading.
According to Police Chief Harris, 34 people were arrested following the “vast destruction” caused by a “riotous mob.” 13 shops were badly vandalized and looted. In addition, several police officers were injured during the night, one of them seriously.
Harris blamed a “completely insane hooligan group driven by ultra-right ideology” for the riots. As the investigation progresses, there will be “many more” arrests, Harris said, warning of new violence. Police Chief Harris said the motive for the knife attack was being investigated “in all directions.”
The prime minister described the rioters as “criminals.” Those involved “have brought shame on Dublin, shame on Ireland and shame on their families and themselves,” a visibly angry Varadkar told reporters. The rioters did not act out of “any patriotism” or “to protect Irish people,” but “they did so because they are full of hate,” Varadkar said. “They love violence. They love chaos, and they love causing pain to others,” the head of government added.
The government will exhaust all legal options to punish those involved in the “grotesque events of yesterday,” Varadkar further announced. In addition, new laws will be passed in the coming weeks so that the police can make better use of surveillance cameras. Ireland will also “modernize” hate and incitement laws.
The violence in response to the knife attack was unforeseeable, the police chief continued. He referred to the “radicalization” of the rioters and blamed online networks.
Representatives of the extreme right have fueled an anti-migrant debate in Ireland in recent years. They particularly criticize the increase in the number of refugees in the country. There have been several demonstrations against accommodation for asylum seekers in north Dublin and more rural areas. The debate is intensified by a crisis in the housing market.
