At least three children among five hospitalised after suspected stabbing in Dublin
Dublin stabbing
At least five people, including three children, were hospitalised on Thursday (Nov 23) after a “serious public order incident” in Dublin city centre, said the Irish police, which the local media has reported as a stabbing.
What happened?
According to Irish media, the attack occurred shortly after 1:00 pm (local time) near Parnell Square on the north side of Dublin. The suspect is said to have been arrested and treated at the scene for injuries.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed that the suspect, who as per the Irish Times, had sustained wounds believed to be self-inflicted, was detained. The media report also said that a man tried to attack a number of young people when people intervened.
The attack occurred close to a school on the street, reported the Irish Times, the motive for which remains unknown. The police have since set up a cordon around Parnell Square in the heart of the Irish capital city. There were around 20 officers on the scene, reported the Irish media.
Protesters clash with police at the site
Protesters torched a car and clashed with police following the incident, reported news agency AFP.
Police chief Drew Harris condemned "disgraceful scenes" near the site of the attack, and warned against spreading "misinformation".
About the victims
Speaking about the condition of the victims, the Irish police said afive-year-old girl was receiving emergency treatment after sustaining serious injuries and the other two childrena five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, werebeing treated for less serious injuries. The boy hasbeen discharged from hospital.
Additionally, a woman in her 30s was also being treated for serious injuries. The suspect who is said to be aman in his 50s was also being treated for serious injuries. The police said that they arenot looking for any other suspect.
“Five casualties have been taken to various hospitals in the Dublin region,” said Garda Siochana (the Irish police), in a statement. The force was in contact with the parents of all three injured children, it added.
Eyewitness account
Police are working to establish a motive but do not suspect a terrorist motivation behind the attack, reported Irish national broadcaster RTE. The broadcaster citing a witness on the scene said she saw a man in a “stabbing motion” from across the road.
“We got another young man, disarmed him (the attacker) with the knife, another man took the knife and put it away for the garda to find it,” an eyewitness named Siobhan Kearney told RTE.
She added that a group of people restrained the suspect while some of those injured were taken back inside the school.
‘We are shocked’
“We are all shocked by the incident which has taken place in Parnell Square,” said Varadkar, in a statement. He added, “The emergency services responded very quickly and were on site within minutes. I thank them for that.”
He also said that the Irish police have detained the suspect and are following “a definite line of inquiry.”
(With inputs from agencies)