“Shame on Ireland”: Right-wing extremist riots rock Dublin. German court classifies “Last Generation” as a criminal organization

A tram burned out. Shop window destroyed. Several shops looted. There were riots in the Irish capital Dublin on Friday evening, during which more than thirty people were arrested.

“These are scenes like we haven’t seen in decades,” Police Chief Drew Harris said the morning after.

The riots broke out after an attacker attacked three children and a teacher on Thursday afternoon, in some cases seriously injuring them. A five-year-old girl and the woman were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Two other children were slightly injured. The approximately 50-year-old suspect was also injured; he was overpowered by passers-by and held until the police arrived. According to investigators, the motive for the crime was initially unclear.

Social media speculation

According to police, the riots were started by a crowd that gathered around the crime scene after the crime. According to police reports, the riots were partly motivated by right-wing extremists, after speculation on social media about the nationality of the alleged perpetrator. Police Chief Harris spoke specifically about right-wing extremist hooligans.

The police initially did not provide information about the man’s nationality and referred to the ongoing investigation. Justice Minister Helen McEntee told RTÉ that a violent mob aimed to cause extensive damage. Order was restored at midnight.

Chaotic scenes in Dublin

Photos show the charred framework of a tram and smashed windows. Workers cleared the rubble Friday morning. According to police, eleven emergency vehicles and several buses were damaged. Thirteen shops were attacked or looted, with sports shops mainly targeted, according to the police chief.

Some rioters set off fireworks or threw chairs and stools from bars and restaurants, the British news agency PA reported. Several officers were injured. The police arrested 34 people.

Head of Government: Rioters are not patriots

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar condemned the riots. He said about 500 people participated and about 400 police officers were present. “Those involved have brought shame to Dublin,” Varadkar said. They would have disgraced Ireland, their families and themselves.

“These criminals did not do what they did because they love Ireland,” the head of government continued. “They didn’t do this out of any sense of patriotism.” They did it because they were filled with hatred, because they loved violence and chaos.

According to Police Chief Harris, social media contributed to the escalation of the situation after the knife attack. You see an element of radicalization there, few facts are adopted and many assumptions are made.

Police chief defends actions

Harris defended the work of his emergency services. When asked if the police had failed, he said they could not have predicted that this would be the response to a terrible crime. “No one could have predicted this.” After the escalation, he called on people to go back into the city and go to work. “We cannot allow the city to be abandoned to criminals, looters and arsonists.”

Police also continued to investigate the knife attack. Prime Minister Varadkar described the passers-by who resisted the attacker as heroes. A man reportedly used his motorcycle helmet to hit the attacker. No other suspects were initially sought.

The motive for the knife attack was still unclear, Harris emphasized to journalists. Nothing can be ruled out. Earlier, the statements of a police spokesperson had given the impression that a terrorist background was unlikely. (saw/sda/dpa)