Dublin disorder: Bus and Luas set alight, looting on O'Connell Street

Serious violence erupted in Dublin city centre on Thursday night as protesters confronted gardaí in the wake of an attack in which three children and a woman were stabbed outside a primary school.

The horrific knife attack, which occurred as young children lined up outside a gaelscoil in Parnell Square, has left Ireland in “shock”, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said, while Dublin’s lord mayor described it as a “very dark day” for the city.

Gardaí have ruled out a terrorist motive in the stabbing, and said it is believed to be a “standalone attack”.

One of the victims, a five-year-old girl, remained in hospital last night being treated for serious injuries.

Jon Boutcher: PSNI chief fails to give assurance that journalists and lawyers have not been surveilled under his watch

Dublin-Monaghan bombing campaigners ‘deserve the truth’, Irish president says

The woman, aged in her 30s and believed to be a creche worker, also remained in a serious condition in hospital.

A five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl were treated for “less serious” injuries, and the boy was later discharged from hospital.

The suspect in the stabbing, a man in his 50s, was also being treated for injuries in hospital.

Gardaí confirmed they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.

In the hours after the attack, disorder broke out as protesters gathered near the scene of the incident and began attacking garda officers.

A garda vehicle and a bus were set on fire, while officers in riot gear were confronted by a crowd, many wearing hoods and with faces covered, and who threw flares and fireworks.

It is understood at least one officer was physically assaulted during the disorder.

A Luas in the O’Connell Street area was also targeted by a mob, who smashed the tram's windows and set it alight.

All Luas services were suspended as the disorder continued.

After 8pm, shop windows in O'Connell Street were smashed amid reports of looting.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris condemned those behind the violence as a “complete lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology".

He urged people “not to listen to misinformation and rumour that is circulating on social media” about the stabbing suspect.

Mr Harris condemned “disgraceful scenes in terms of a major investigation, the maintenance of a scene, the gathering of evidence”.

“A lot of the rumour and innuendo is being spread for malevolent purposes,” he said, adding that those engaged in the violence will be “dealt with properly” as extra resources were drafted into the area.

The Republic’s justice minister Helen McEntee condemned a "thuggish and manipulative element" behind the disorder.

Meanwhile, speaking of the afternoon knife attack outside the school, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland was “Shocked” by what had occurred.

He said of the victims: "Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them and their families.

“The facts in this matter are still emerging. The emergency services responded very quickly and were on site within minutes. I thank them for that.”

Dublin lord mayor Daithí De Róiste said it was a “very dark day” for the city.

He said the “evil maiming” of children had sent “shockwaves through the very fabric of our city”.