LAST UPDATE | 25 Nov 2023

A SIX-YEAR-old girl who was stabbed on Parnell Square East, in Dublin City Centre on Thursday has been released from hospital.

She is the second of the victims to be released, as a five-year-old boy with less serious injuries was discharged hours after the incident.

The third child victim, a five-year-old girl, is understood to be still in a critical condition as a result of her wounds.

The girl is currently in CHI Temple Street Hospital.

A total of five people, including the male attacker, were injured during the stabbing incident. It is understood there is no change to his condition.

It is also understood one adult female remains in a serious condition today, in The Mater Hospital in Dublin.

The attack happened as the junior and senior infant children were being lined up to go to the creche for an after-school club. 

The Journal understands that the woman, aged in her 30s, is a staff member from the creche.

A number of passers-by intervened in the attack to subdue the attacker and prevent him from injuring anyone else, including Brazilian Deliveroo driver Caoi Benicio who used his motorcycle helmet as a weapon against the man.

Many emergency services attended the scene at Parnell Square East from just after 1pm.

The man also remains in a serious condition in a hospital in the Dublin region this morning.

Gardaí are still investigating the incident, a spokesperson told The Journal this morning.

Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said on Thursday that investigators were satisfied the attack is not terror-related. The man in his 50s is believed to be responsible for the attack. 

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

‘Nobody can put words to the tragedy’

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, local Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon said he had “never experienced” a day like Thursday in Dublin city.

The Dublin Central TD told the programme: “Honestly, nobody can put words to the tragedy that they seen or heard about or that we know what took place.

“I’ve never experienced a sense of numbness like it in the North inner-city. Usually it’s a place that rallies, usually it’s a place that can work to find a little bit of meaning on this savage attack on three children and the childcare worker – who was a member of the community, most of us know [her].

“There’s no words to describe it. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my whole time, both as a resident there are as a public representative in that area,” he added.

Gannon said that the riots, that subsequently took place on the streets of the city centre after the stabbing, “disabled” the community’s ability to mourn the attack, nor has had the time to process the event because of the violence taking place in the same area.

Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell wished those still in hospital a “speedy recovery” on behalf of the government, as well as thanking the emergency services who responded to the incident.

Leader of the Labour Party Ivana Bacik said: “All our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims of the horrific attack on Thursday.

“In particular the little girl and her care worker and the other child still in hospital and their families. It’s just unthinkable what happened,” she added.