Police out in force in Dublin after night of riots

Police were out in force in Dublin on Friday to prevent a repeat of the widespread rioting that erupted after a knife attack outside a school.

Police made sporadic arrests after darkness fell on Friday as youths began to congregate on O'Connell Street, one of Dublin's most famous thoroughfares that was the scene of violence, vehicle fires and looting the day before.

But the mood was generally calm, with Irish police posting on X (formerly Twitter): "We have an enhanced policing plan in place this evening and look forward to seeing shoppers, match goers and all those that will be socialising in the city over the weekend ahead."

Water cannons were on standby, however, should the situation deteriorate, police told AFP. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the city's worst violence in decades on Thursday brought "shame" on Ireland.

Police blamed a "complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology". The unrest came after three children were wounded in a stabbing near the centre of the Irish capital. A five-year-old girl was left in a critical condition in hospital.

The subsequent violence -- which resulted in dozens of arrests -- started when a group broke through a police cordon around the scene of the attack in Parnell Square East. Hundreds of rioters set buses and trams alight and looted shops.

"Those involved brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland and brought shame on their families and themselves," a visibly angry Varadkar told reporters.

He later said the damage done to the Irish capital's public infrastructure could cost tens of millions of euros.