A stabbing attack on a group of small children in Dublin three years ago triggered violent disorder that made international headlines, with buses, a tram, and Garda cars set alight, and shops looted.
Riots Erupt After Stabbing
The disorder began after crowds gathered at the edge of the crime scene on Parnell Square and a protest was held at the Spire on O'Connell Street on the evening of November 23, 2023. Protesters scuffled with officers and threw flares and fireworks at the Garda cordon before the public order unit was deployed just before 7pm.
A total of 250 public-order officers were sent into the city in what was described as the “largest-ever” such deployment, with 400 officers sent in total. A cordon was put up around Leinster House, the Irish parliament building, and order was eventually restored at 11.30pm.
Extensive Damage and Charges
Of the 28 vehicles damaged that night, 15 were official Garda cars and two belonged to the Dublin Fire Brigade. More than 60 premises or places of business were subject to criminal damage, according to authorities, with politicians estimating the damage would amount to tens of millions of euros. Dozens of people have been charged and appeared before the courts in relation to the disorder.
Political Pressure on Government
The scenes put pressure on the Irish Government over its ability to maintain safety in the capital. Safety concerns remain a political issue for Dublin residents, and candidates in the recent Dublin Central by-election were asked about ways to make the city safer.
