In Ireland, after a knife attack on several children and a woman in Dublin, the motive of the attacker is a mystery. As a result of the crime, which according to media reports took place in front of a daycare center, there were serious riots in the capital on Friday night. Security authorities blamed right-wing extremist troublemakers for the riots. There had previously been speculation on social media about the nationality of the alleged perpetrator, about which the police themselves did not provide any information.
Act and motive
The crime took place on Thursday afternoon in the center of Dublin. The approximately 50-year-old man mainly attacked children and stabbed his victims with a knife. A five-year-old girl and a woman between the ages of 30 and 40 were taken to hospital with serious injuries. A five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl suffered minor injuries. According to reports, the injured woman is said to be a carer for the children.
According to media reports, the suspect was overpowered and disarmed by passers-by shortly after the crime. He was arrested at the scene and treated for serious injuries in hospital. No other suspects were initially sought.
The motive for the knife attack is still unclear, Irish police chief Drew Harris emphasized to journalists. Nothing can be ruled out. The statements of a police spokesman had previously given the impression that a terrorist background was unlikely.
Riots and riots
In the evening there were serious riots in downtown Dublin, during which several buses, a tram and a police car were set on fire. On social media you could see how rioters fought street battles with the police, who had deployed hundreds of emergency services. Bottles and fireworks were reportedly thrown at officers, stores were looted and windows were smashed. Xenophobic slogans were also shouted during the riots. As a precaution, police cordons were set up around the parliament building.
Create an atmosphere on social media
According to a reporter from the British news channel Sky News, hundreds of rioters, some of whom were masked, were said to have taken part in the riots. Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee spoke of “thugs, criminals who are using this horrific attack to sow division and cause chaos.” This will not be tolerated.
Police Chief Harris blamed right-wing extremist hooligans for the riots. “We are bringing in reinforcements to deal with this,” he said in the evening. Rumors that the army had come to help were denied by the armed forces.
The atmosphere on social media apparently also contributed to the escalation of the situation. According to Harris, there was a “huge amount” of speculation online about the nationality of the alleged attacker. He called on people to ignore “disinformation and rumors circulating on social media.” The facts still need to be clarified.
According to RTÉ, public transport in Dublin came to a partial standstill. Buses were rerouted. At around 10:30 p.m. local time (11:30 p.m. CET), the police announced that calm had largely returned to the streets of the city center.
