Donegal student speaks of fear and uncertainty in Dublin as riots took hold

A Donegal student living in Dublin has spoken of the fear and tension that gripped the city following the outbreak of riots.

Civil unrest broke out across the city centre on Thursday after a knife attack in which three young children and a woman were injured. The attack took place on Parnell Square outside a primary school. The woman, believed to be in her thirties, and a five-year-old child, are said to be in a serious condition.

A Donegal Town student who preferred not to be named described the panic and uncertainty as people tried to get to safety, with public transport services suspended.

“We didn’t realise how bad it was at first, we just knew that the buses weren’t running,” she said. “Then we heard that a bus was set on fire, and that the Luas was out of action because overhead lines had been burnt.”

The young woman is a student at Trinity College, and was just a five minute walk from Busaras. She was able to reach the bus station in safety and get a bus to Donegal and is now relieved to be safe and well at home. 

“If I hadn’t been able to get to Busaras, I would have stayed at the college rather than try and get out to my accommodation,” she said. 

“When they realised how serious the situation was, Trinity locked the gates and told students that there were essentials such as sanitation products, pain killers, and snacks available, and that students could spend the night on campus.” 

“Some of my friends are staying there. Others walked home.

“One of my friends said his mother had to walk from work and was having bottles thrown over her. It was a terrifying ordeal for her.”

The Donegal student said while it is a horrible situation, most people were trying to look after each other. 

“There were weird vibes and all kinds of rumours and images circulating, about the bus being on fire and fireworks being thrown,” she said. 

“But most people are really trying to look after each other and make sure everyone is ok.”

It is understood that the situation has calmed down somewhat. 

According to RTE, the riots stemmed from a demonstration at the edge of the police cordon at the scene of the knife attack. A crowd of between 100 and 200 people gathered, with some wearing scarves that covered their faces. Gardaí were confronted verbally at first. The situation then escalated as demonstrators clashed with riot police.

It is reported that fireworks and flares were thrown at police, and a garda car was seen burning near the scene. Furniture and glass thought to be mirrors were smashed on the ground. 

A number of vehicles were set alight, with firefighters battling a flaming Luas tram and nearby buses which had been engulfed. 

There are also reports of looting, with some rioters carrying metal bars and some throwing bottles. 

The knife attack and the subsequent rioting have been widely condemned across the country. 

Speaking shortly before midnight, Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin said the violence was carried out by small groups of people.

“The violence had nothing whatsoever to do with the serious assault which occurred this afternoon on Parnell Square. It was gratuitous thuggery. 

“Public transport was attacked, as were garda vehicles, and some commercial premises were also damaged and attacked. 

“Thankfully no serious injuries have been reported by the public as a result of tonight’s violence. 

“Some of my colleagues were also attacked and assaulted, but thankfully again, no serious reports of injury having being sustained.”

The superintendent thanked the public for their patience and cooperation.

He added: “Our thoughts remain with the victims of the violent assault which occurred earlier in Parnell Square.”