'Shock and sadness' - Heartbreaking reaction as kids stabbed near school in Dublin

There is widespread shock and sadness across Ireland this evening after two adults and three children were injured in a stabbing near a school in Dublin city.

The shocking incident occurred on Parnell Square East shortly after 1.30pm when a number of people, including three people were stabbed.

In an update on Thursday evening, gardaí said "preliminary indications are that a male attacked a number of people on Parnell Square East."

Five casualties have been taken to hospitals in the Dublin Region. These casualties include three young children, an adult female and an adult male.

"One girl aged 5 has sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street," a garda spokesperson said.

They said a boy aged 5 and a girl aged 6 years, who received less serious injuries were brought to CHI Crumlin for treatment.  The boy has since been discharged from CHI Crumlin.

An Garda Síochána say they are providing support to the children's parents.

"The adult female in her 30s is being treated for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital. An adult male in his 50s is also being treated for serious injuries at a Hospital in the Dublin Region," gardaí said.

The scene remains sealed off at this time and a technical examination of the scene is ongoing.

An incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.

An Garda Síochána is following a definite line of inquiry. The male in his 50s is a person of interest in this investigation.  An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person at this time, they confirmed.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste, was one of the first political leaders to react. He said: "On behalf of all the citizens of Dublin, I want to express my complete shock and sadness at the attack in Parnell Square today.

"To think that evil like this could happen, particularly to innocent children, is just devastating.

"The thoughts of our City are with the families involved this evening and, like everyone else, I am praying that these children and the adult involved will make a full recovery.

"I want to thank the brave members of the public who assisted at the scene, the emergency services who responded within minutes and the hospital staff who are caring for those attacked."

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee also released a statement.

pic.twitter.com/hOP5Pds53h

— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) November 23, 2023

Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon said: “There are no words to describe the devastation we are feeling following the horrific knife attack on three children and a woman on Parnell Street today.

“An attack on children is an act of absolute cowardice and depravity. All of my thoughts are with the innocent victims of this brutal assault, their families and those who love them.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the emergency services who attended this afternoon’s distressing scene and the people who placed themselves in harm’s way to intervene.

“I will be asking the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to keep the north inner city community updated on the progress of the investigation. It is vital that the full circumstances of what happened are known – and the perpetrator brought to justice.”

Labour justice and education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin also expressed his solidarity with all those impacted by the reported attack.

“This is a deeply traumatic and shocking incident. Our thoughts are with everyone caught up in this event and the school community that has been impacted.

“It appears that staff and school children have been affected and will potentially be profoundly traumatised by what has happened.

“We would appeal to anyone who has information to go to the Gardaí and assist with their investigations in any way that they can.

“I would appeal to the Department of Education and the HSE to ensure that appropriate trauma supports and other interventions are made immediately available to the school community.

“It is also important that politicians and members of the public do not engage in any speculation on what happened at this time, on social media or elsewhere.

“This is not something we ever expected to happen in Dublin city. It illustrates the incredibly important work that our teachers, SNAs and Gardaí routinely engage in.”

People have also been reacting on social media with videos of angry crowds gathered near the scene. There has also been an outpouring of hurt on X, formerly Twitter.

Reacting to a photograph from near the scene of paramedics, one parent noticed a schoolbag on the ground nearby.

She said: "My daughter has this bag. She is 4. These poor people, families, students and first responders. Inner north side is NOT safe. It hasn’t been since pre COVID and even then it wasn’t amazing. What are gov doing?"