Minister says 'thuggish and manipulative element' cannot be allowed to wreak havoc on the streets
Minister for Justice. Helen McEntee has said that a "thuggish and manipulative element" must not be allowed use the horrific events of today that saw three small children and and a woman injured in a stabbing attack to "wreak havoc" on the streets.
There have been multiple incidents of violent disorder in Dublin city centre this evening close to the scene of today's horror incident that saw a man wielding a knife, attack women and children before being overpowered.
Gardaí confirmed a five-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street.
A five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl sustained less serious injuries and were taken to CHI Crumlin for treatment. The boy has since been discharged.
A woman aged in her 30s is receiving treatment for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital.
Gardaí added that man in his 50s, who is a person of interest in the investigation, also sustained serious injuries and is being treated at another hospital in the region.
An Garda Síochána are following a definite line of inquiry and are not looking for anyone else regarding this crime.
This evening, Garda Public Order Units were dealing with large groups of mostly teenagers attacking them and local premises. Several Garda vehicles have been damaged or destroyed while windows of premises in and around Parnell St have been smashed. A Dublin bus, a Luas Tram and some private vehicles have also been set ablaze.
In a statement this evening, Minister McEntee said:
"The perpetrator will be brought to justice.
"However, the scenes we are witnessing this evening in our city centre cannot and will not be tolerated.
"A thuggish and manipulative element must not be allowed use an appalling tragedy to wreak havoc.
"I have spoken to local TDs from all sides of the Dáil and we are of the same view.
"We will not tolerate a small number using an appalling incident to spread division. I would appeal for calm in the city centre as An Garda Síochána carry out their work – attacks on members of An Garda Síochána must be utterly condemned and will be dealt with severely.
"I am meeting the Garda Commissioner this evening to discuss the policing plan in the city tonight.
"Most importantly, we must remember the real tragedy of today and allow the investigations take their course.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said it appears as though members of the public intervened in a stabbing incident in Dublin, in which two adults and three children were injured.
He was due to meet with the Policing Authority in Waterford, but was interrupted by the news from the capital.
Mr Harris said: "It would appear that following the incident itself, and in part of the incident itself, members of the public who were passing by intervened and in effect grappled with this individual... and that allowed gardaí on their arrival to arrest this individual."
There are no Green Line Luas services between St. Stephen's Green and Dominick this evening because of the incident on Parnell Square.
Dublin Bus meanwhile says diversions are in place on Southbound Routes that usually pass the Square.
They will go by Denmark Street, Gardiner Street, Cathal Brugha Street and O'Connell Street before rejoining the ordinary route.
Commuters to Meath using Bus Éireann services 103, 109, 109Z, 111 and NX have been affected by today's tragic events with these buses be re-directed by Gardiner Street until further notice.