Violent Riots In The Irish Capital

Stabbing Leads To Mass Chaos In Dublin, Ireland

Kylie Lancaster, Editor-in-Chief

November 27, 2023

A double-decker bus set ablaze in front of the O’Connell statue in Dublin, Ireland late Thursday night. Photo provided and used with permission from Jack O’Leary.

Jack O’Leary

A map of Dublin, Ireland with important pinpointed locations.

13:10 GMT on Thursday, November 23

The gardaí (Irish police) were called in regards to a stabbing at Parnell Square East — the centre of the Irish capital, Dublin. This stabbing included five casualties. Three young children, a man, and a woman were taken to the hospital upon the gardaí’s arrival.

A map of Dublin, Ireland with important pinpointed locations. (Kylie Lancaster)

A photo of the O'Connell Statue taken in July 2022. Photo provided and used with permission from Jennifer Axline.

The Attacker

The attacker was assumed to be the male that was taken to the hospital for his injuries sustained at the sight of the stabbings. This man, in his late 40s, is the only person of interest and the guardaí are not looking for any other suspects. The motive for these stabbings are currently unknown.

A photo of the O’Connell Statue taken in July 2022. Photo provided and used with permission from Jennifer Axline. (Jennifer Axline)

Picture taken from the O'Connell Bridge in July 2018. Photo provided and used with permission from Jennifer Axline.

Late Thursday Night

A riot broke out on O’Connell Street late Thursday night, November 23. During this riot, groups destroyed three double-decker busses and a tram. They also destroyed eleven guardaí vehicles and looted thirteen shops. Several guardaí were also injured during this three-hour riot. Video can be found of a tram set ablaze, firecrackers being thrown at the guardaí, and a box being set on fire and shoved into a guardaí car.

Picture taken from the O’Connell Bridge in July 2018. Photo provided and used with permission from Jennifer Axline. (Jennifer Axline)

An image taken from behind the O'Connell Statue in July 2022. Photo provided and used with permission from Jennifer Axline.

The Arrests

By the end of the night, the crowd at this riot was around 500 people. This violence led to thirty-four arrests on Friday, November 24. Thirty-two of those arrested are being charged for participating in the the riot and destruction across the city.

An image taken from behind the O’Connell Statue in July 2022. Photo provided and used with permission from Jennifer Axline. (Jennifer Axline)

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, Leo Varadkar. [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0].

Statements From Irish Officials

Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, condemned this violence and blamed right-wing groups for this violence. He tells the Bangkok Post, “They did so because they’re filled with hate. They love violence. They love chaos, and they love causing pain to others…”

Drew Harris, guardaí commissioner, informs the Bangkok Post that, “What we saw last night was an extraordinary outbreak of violence… These are scenes that we have not seen in decades…”

Finally, the Irish Justice Minister, Helen McEntee tells the Bangkok Post that the chaos that broke out was intolerable and, “We will not tolerate a small number using an appalling incident to spread division…”

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, Leo Varadkar. [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]. (Marco Urban)

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About the Contributor

Kylie Lancaster, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

Kylie Lancaster was a senior at Brunswick High School in 2024 and is editor-in-chief-emeritus of the Garnet & Gold Gazette. Kylie has taken Journalism I-IV. She was also president of the Journalism Club as well as NEHS. She has been an important part of our website design and is a social media coordinator of our Instagram account: @bhsgazette. She attends Hood College and is majoring in Mass Communications. Once she gets her bachelors degree, she plans to pursue her masters degree in journalism.