The city of Dublin is witnessing massive chaos and protest with flames visible across the Ireland capital town after five persons, including three children, were injured in a suspected stabbing incident. Public transport is severely hit and patients have been advised not to travel to nearby hospitals as anti-immigrant protesters put on fire a double-decker bus, and cars among others, reported Reuters.
The incident occurred on Parnell Square East when children were coming out of the school, catering to primary-age children, as per The Irish Times.
"Five casualties have been taken to various hospitals in the Dublin Region. The casualties include an adult male, an adult female and three young children. One child, a girl, has sustained serious injuries, the other two children are being treated for less serious injuries," Irish police said in a statement, reported BBC.
"An Garda Síochána is in contact with parents of all three injured children," it added.
Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar reacted to the incident and expressed shock. "Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them and their families", he said. He added that a suspect has been detained by police, who are following a "definite line of inquiry". The PM said he has been in touch with Justice Minister Helen McEntee and that details about what happened are still emerging, reported BBC.
Varadkar also thanked the emergency services for responding "within minutes".
Police Commissioner Drew Harris blamed the riot on a "lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology."
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee appealed to the public to maintain calm and said a "thuggish and manipulative element” was using the earlier incident to “wreak havoc", reported The Irish Times.