Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar strongly condemned the violent protests that erupted in Dublin following a school knife attack, stating that the rioters were motivated by “hate” and brought “shame on Ireland.” The Prime Minister expressed his anger and disappointment at the unprecedented level of violence witnessed in the Irish capital, emphasizing that the actions of the rioters were criminal and devoid of any patriotic or protective motives.
Dublin Rioters Inflict Shame on Ireland, Says PM Leo Varadkar
The city of Dublin witnessed a disturbing outbreak of violence as protesters clashed with police and looted shops in the aftermath of a school knife attack that left three children wounded. The chaos unfolded after a five-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in a suspected stabbing incident in Parnell Square East, north central Dublin. The ensuing unrest, described by police as reaching a level not seen in decades, resulted in 34 arrests.
The Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, addressed the media, condemning the actions of the rioters and attributing their behavior to hatred, a love for violence, and chaos. He underscored that the perpetrators had brought shame not only on themselves but also on Dublin and Ireland as a whole. Varadkar vehemently rejected any notion of patriotism behind the violence, emphasizing that it was fueled by a deep-seated hatred.
Varadkar pointed out that the attackers did not act out of a desire to protect Irish people but instead reveled in causing pain to others. The Prime Minister dismissed the rioters as criminals and expressed his determination to use the full resources of the law and the state machinery to punish those involved in the violent events.
The unrest was exacerbated by social media rumors regarding the nationality of the suspected assailant, described by police as a man in his fifties. Authorities attributed the violence to a “complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology” and called for the reclaiming of Ireland from those who resort to violence and intimidation.
Varadkar pledged to introduce new laws in the coming weeks to enhance the police’s ability to utilize CCTV evidence collected during the disturbances. Additionally, he emphasized the need to modernize laws related to hate and incitement, signaling a commitment to preventing future outbreaks of violence and ensuring the safety and security of the Irish community.
