'These Criminals Love Causing Pain To Others': Irish PM Condemns Anti-Immigrant Stir Over Dublin 'Stabbing'

Irish PM Leo Varadkar said Dublin has suffered two attacks, one on children and the other on the “society and the rule of law”.

A vehicle in flames in O'Connell Street after violence broke out following five people were wounded in a stabbing attack in Dublin.

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New Delhi: Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar condemned the anti-immigrant protesters saying they only wanted to trigger chaos and not protect the country’s way of life, news agency AP reported. His remarks come in the wake of the rioters staging massive protest after five persons, including three children were injured in a suspected stabbing incident in Dublin.

PM Varadkar said Dublin has suffered two attacks, one on children and the other on the “society and the rule of law”.

“These criminals did not do what they did because they love Ireland, they did not do what they did because they wanted to protect Irish people, they did not do it out of any sense of patriotism, however warped. They did so because they’re filled with hate, they love violence, they love chaos, and they love causing pain to others,” AP quoted PM Varadkar as saying.

Ireland’s capital witnessed widespread chaos after the protesters set vehicles on fire, looted shops and pelted stones at the crowd control officers, AP reported. As many as 34 people have been arrested so far.

Violence erupted after rumours circulated that a foreign national was behind the suspected stabbing incident on Parnell Square East.

According to the AP report, among those injured, a five-year-old girl and a teacher’s aide are in serious condition. A six-year-old girl is undergoing treatment at a hospital and another child has been discharged. The alleged assailant is in a serious condition at the hospital, according to the news agency.

Speaking about anti-immigration tensions earlier this year, PM Varadkar had said there was always place for peaceful protest. However, violence and racism are not legitimate.

“I think when it comes to this matter, we should never lose sight of the bigger picture — we’re facing a major refugee crisis not just here in Ireland but all across Europe,” PM Varadkar had said, reported AP.