More than 500 individuals gathered at a solidarity rally in Dublin on Monday to condemn the recent city centre riots that erupted after a knife attack on children. The protest, organized by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), aimed to demonstrate that people from migrant backgrounds are welcome in Ireland.

ICTU general secretary, Owen Reidy, expressed concern for the safety of migrant workers in Dublin's hospitality industry and noted that many were too afraid to come to work in the aftermath of the riots. "We want to say that Ireland is not full. We want to support 'Ireland for all'. We want a diverse Ireland," he told BBC News NI, emphasizing that Ireland is home to all, regardless of their place of birth.

The riots unfolded on Thursday evening, just hours after a distressing stabbing incident outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire. Three children and their school care assistant were attacked by a man wielding a knife as they lined up after class on Parnell Square. Two girls, aged five and six, along with a six-year-old boy, were stabbed, while the care assistant, a woman in her 30s, bravely attempted to shield them but was also seriously wounded.

The injured care assistant and the critically injured five-year-old girl both remain in hospital. However, the six-year-old boy, who suffered relatively minor injuries, was discharged on Friday. The six-year-old girl, who had sustained head injuries, was also released from the hospital over the weekend.

The suspect, described as being in his late 40s and holding Irish citizenship for the past two decades, was taken to the hospital following the attack.

Following the stabbing, a violent riot broke out in Dublin as outraged individuals took to the streets. Approximately 500 people were involved, leading to the largest police response in the history of the Garda, Ireland's police force. Rioters clashed with the police, torched vehicles, and looted shops. Multiple police officers were injured, and significant damage was inflicted, including the destruction of a Luas tram and three burned buses.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris attributed the rioting to a "lunatic, hooligan faction driven by a far-right ideology." However, in response, the leader of the opposition party Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald, criticized Harris's view, calling for his resignation and that of Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Meanwhile, hundreds of union members, along with representatives from political parties such as Sinn Féin, People before Profit, and the Labour Party, attended the solidarity rally on Monday. The event aimed to show support for the workers involved in the recent violence, including the police, Dublin Fire Brigade, media personnel, bus drivers, tram operators, and retail and local authority workers.

"As the trade union movement on the island of Ireland, we thought it was important that we created the space for people who live and work in Dublin to come together symbolically to show solidarity for the workers who were in harm's way last Thursday night," stated Mr Reidy.

In the wake of the riots, Garda Commissioner Harris and Justice Minister McEntee have been invited to meet with the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Wednesday to discuss the incident. While Minister McEntee has expressed her willingness to attend, she cited prior commitments preventing her presence on the requested day, according to reports from Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

The rally served as a strong message of unity and solidarity, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity and ensuring the safety and inclusion of all individuals in Ireland.