Irish police arrest 34 after riots in Dublin's streets

LONDON

Irish police arrested 34 people following riots in Dublin's streets that began with the stabbing of five people, including three children and a woman, law enforcement confirmed on Friday.

The streets of Dublin turned violent late Thursday after five people were stabbed, including three children and a woman.

Garda (Police) Commissioner Drew Harris told reporters, "We have never seen public disorder like this before."

He described the riot as an "extraordinary" outbreak of violence, saying it is clear that people have been "radicalized" through social media.

"There were 34 arrests with 32 due in court this morning," Harris said, adding that 13 shops were damaged, while 11 police vehicles were either destroyed or extensively damaged.

Three buses were also damaged during the riots, which Harris described as "huge destruction from a riotous mob."

The attack, which sparked violent protests and riots, seriously injured a five-year-old girl and a woman in her 30s, and wounded three others, including the suspect, according to local media reports.

The incident occurred around Thursday afternoon on Parnell Square East, near the bustling O'Connell Street. Two of the victims -- a six-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy -- were stabbed outside a nearby school.

Following the attack, there were tumultuous scenes near the site of the incident as protesters gathered in the area. Police used riot shields and batons during clashes with protesters, and several police vehicles were damaged.

Police earlier said that a "complete hooligan lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology" is behind the violent protests.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar later confirmed that police have detained a suspect and are following "a definite line of inquiry."