Three children, one adult female, and one adult male are confirmed to have been injured in an incident on Parnell Street, Dublin City.
An Garda Síochána are investigating circumstances surrounding a serious public order incident which occured on Parnell Square East shortly after 1.30pm this afternoon, Thursday, Novemvber 23.
Preliminary indications from the Gardaí are that a male attacked a number of people on Parnell Square East.
Five casualties have been taken to various hospitals in the Dublin Region. These casualties include an adult male, an adult female and three young children.
A five-year-old girl has sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in CHI Temple Street, while a boy aged five and a girl aged six 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 is providing support to the children’s parents.
The adult female in her 30s is being treated for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital, with an adult male in his 50s is also being treated for serious injuries at a Hospital in the Dublin Region.
In a statement from An Garda Síochána, they have confirmed they are 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.”
However, the statement continues: “An Garda Síochána continues to have an open mind at this early stage of the investigation.”
The scene remains sealed off while a technical examination is ongoing.
An incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.
The Gardaí are appealing to anyone with any information on this attack to contact them. Investigating Gardaí are also appealing to any person who may have mobile phone footage of the attack or the immediate aftermath to make this footage available to An Garda Síochána.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station 01 6668600 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Education Minister, Norma Foley TD, released a statement following the attack, which read: “I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the three children and the woman who were viciously attacked in Dublin.
“Our hearts and minds go out to all who were injured today and to all of their families, as well as all the staff who care for them in the school and in their crèche.
“The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is providing support to the school community.”
The Gardaí are not in a position to provide any further information at this early stage of the investigation.
Further updates to come as the case unfolds.