‘Horror’ in Cork over riots that followed stabbing

SERIOUS concerns have been raised in Cork following riots that broke out in Dublin city centre on Thursday evening following the stabbing of three children and a woman on Parnell Square.

A five-year-old girl remains in critical condition in a Dublin hospital. 

The riots, which began close to the scene of the incident and then spread across Dublin’s city centre, were sparked by groups of people heckling gardaí and were then spurred on by anti-immigration posts on social media, which called on people to assemble in protest at what had occurred.

During the rioting, public transport vehicles were targeted and a number of retail stores were looted.

Garda commissioner Drew Harris, blamed what he described as a “complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology” for the disorder.

34 arrests had been made in relation to the disturbances , with more than 30 people appearing at Dublin District Court on Friday on a range of public order and theft charges relating to the previous nights disturbances. 

Speaking to The Echo, Joe Moore of 'Cork Says No to Racism' said he was “horrified” to learn of the attack on the children at Parnell Square on Thursday afternoon and commended the Brazilian Deliveroo driver, Caio Benicio, who intervened and “prevented further damage being done”.

Mr Moore condemned the far-right who he said used the incident to “stir up hatred and actually mobilise people to come into the city centre and divert the whole thing as an anti-immigrant issue”. He assured people that Ireland is welcoming of all nationalities.

“During our rallies against the far-right in Cork, we got a new banner that had the Cork city coat of arms, that Cork is a safe harbour and welcoming for everybody. I think that can be reflected over the last six weeks, with the rallies in of Palestinian people and the number of Middle Eastern people who are at those rallies who are getting right across communities in Cork,” he said.

“So I think we have to take a stand and to come out and say immigrants are welcome here regardless of where they're from and we’re all human beings and we stand together.” 

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould said that the attack on small children on Thursday was “every parent’s worst nightmare” and said that his thoughts were with those children, their carer, and their families.

Deputy Gould also commended the courageous of the public who put themselves in the way of danger to do everything they could to protect the children and the gardaí who he said “also put themselves in danger to keep people safe”.

Speaking about the incidents that unfolded after the stabbing incident, Deputy Gould said: “When small children lay in hospital being treated for horrific injuries, a mob fuelled by hate, who believe they are beyond the law, wreaked havoc on Dublin city.

“At a time of real hurt, shock, and suffering, they took to the city centre hell-bent on unleashing destruction, menace, and fear.

“They intimidated retail workers, firefighters, and paramedics and attacked gardaí. They burned buses, burned Garda cars, and looted shops. Their actions were disgraceful. Criminal".

“Everyone who participated should hang their heads in shame for what they brought upon Dublin city and its people. They should face the full rigours of the law.

“Following the attack at the school, it was obvious to most that the atmosphere in the city centre was deteriorating quickly.

“As the situation escalated and public safety became a clear issue, we needed a common-sense response that ensured public order was maintained. That is not what we got.” Fine Gael TD Colm Burke condemned the “terrible things” that were posted on social media following the stabbing incident and said that once posting on social media began, people were looking for an excuse to get involved.

He called for the ability to lock down certain social media s in situations such as this where violence is being encouraged by social media s.

“If you could have actually locked down social media on Thursday night, you would have been far better off,” he said.

“None of the people that burned buses or anything else are actually part of the far-right but they’re the people who are just getting in on the act. The far-right is cute enough to stay away and not get caught out but at the same time, provoke others.”