Violent clashes broke out in central Dublin on Thursday evening after a 5-year-old girl was seriously injured in a knife attack earlier in the day that also saw a woman and two other young children hospitalized.

The Irish police announced that the girl was receiving emergency medical treatment in a Dublin hospital, which prompted approximately 100 individuals, some armed with metal bars and their faces covered, to take to the streets.

In response to the unrest, over 400 police officers, including many in riot gear, were deployed in Dublin city center to contain the situation caused by a small group of thugs, as described by the police.

The clashes escalated with people attempting to kick and punch police officers, and flares and fireworks were fired at the police cordon surrounding the scene of the incident. Several police vehicles and a tram suffered damage during the disorder, while a bus and car were set on fire on the city's O'Connell Bridge.

Shop windows were smashed, and a Foot Locker store was looted. Consequently, all transport in the city was suspended.

Ireland's top police officer, Drew Harris, condemned the violence, stating, "We have a complete lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology, and also then this disruptive tendency engaged in serious violence."

Authorities, including police and politicians, called for calm and warned against spreading misinformation regarding the attack earlier in the day.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee expressed her concerns, stating, "The scenes we are witnessing this evening in our city center cannot and will not be tolerated. A thuggish and manipulative element must not be allowed to use an appalling tragedy to wreak havoc."

Earlier, the police had identified a man in his 50s, who was also seriously injured, as a "person of interest" in their investigation. However, no further details about his identity were revealed.

During a press briefing, when asked about a potential terrorist link, Chief Police Officer Drew Harris did not rule it out. He stated, "I have never ruled out any possible motive for this attack... all lines of inquiry are open to determine the motive for this attack."

Superintendent Liam Geraghty, earlier in the day, mentioned that they were keeping an open mind about the investigation but were "satisfied there is no terrorist link."

The knife attack occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m., resulting in a woman in her 30s suffering serious injuries, while the two other children, a 5-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, sustained less serious injuries. The boy has been discharged from the hospital.

According to Geraghty, the incident appears to be a standalone event, not connected to any wider ongoing issues in the country or the city, and they are working to identify the exact reasons behind it.

The superintendent confirmed that witnesses intervened at an early stage, attempting to disarm the assailant. He commended their bravery, stating, "My understanding is members of the public did intervene at a very, very early stage, and we would applaud those members of the public for getting involved in such a traumatic and potentially dangerous situation for themselves."

The situation remains under investigation, and authorities are urging the public to remain calm and await further updates.

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