Angry protesters have broken into shops and set a bus, a Luas and garda cars on a night of violence in Dublin city centre.
Unrest erupted after three schoolchildren were injured in a stabbing incident on Parnell Square this afternoon. A five-year-old girl was seriously injured and is being treated in Temple Street hospital while another woman, aged in her 30s, is in a serious condition in the Mater Hospital.
A five-year-old boy and six-year-old girl were also taken to Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin for treatment on less serious injuries. The boy has since been discharged from hospital.
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Gardai have confirmed that a man in his 50s, who has also been hospitalised with serious injuries, is a person of interest in their enquiries. They are not looking for anyone else at this early stage of their investigation.
Chaotic scenes broke out in the capital this evening, with a number of stores being broken into. In footage seen by Dublin Live, people were seen kicking in and entering a store on O'Connell Street. A Dublin Bus was also set alight while gardai were attacked and garda cars were also set ablaze.
A strong Garda presence is currently in effect across the city centre. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris previously hit out at "lunatics" intent on causing carnage tonight and appealed for people to return home.
He said: "I think there's disgraceful scenes in terms of a major investigation, the maintenance of a scene, the gathering of evidence. We have a complete lunatic, hooligan faction, driven by far right ideology and also then this disruptive tendency here engaged in serious violence."
All Luas services have been suspended tonight after an empty tram set damaged and set on fire. A Luas spokeswoman said: "Luas operator Transdev Dublin Light Rail can confirm a stationery tram with no passengers or staff was set on fire tonight during the disturbances in Dublin City Centre.
"In addition, there is significant damage to the overhead power Lines (OCS) on O’ Connell Street. Luas have made an operational decision to suspend all tram services on the Red and Green Lines until tomorrow morning."
Figures such as Labour's Marie Sherlock forewarned of violence hitting the capital tonight in the wake of the attacks. The Senator told Dublin Live earlier: "There are people intent on making trouble tonight. We very much hope tensions can be reduced in the area especially when it gets dark."
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