24 November 2023 , 18:03
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Ireland's deputy leader has hit out at 'disgraceful' comments from the likes of Conor McGregor in the wake of violence in the capital.
Dublin has been rocked by riots following a stabbing in Parnell Square on Thursday afternoon in which five people, including three children, were injured. A woman in her 30s and a man in his 50s were also injured, with the man described as a 'person of interest' being treated in hospital.
The stabbing prompted an outbreak of riots as rioters clashed with police and set fire to vehicles. The Gardai arrested 34 people on Friday after rioters destroyed 11 police vehicles and wreaked damage on 13 shops. Then MMA fighter McGregor weighed in on the protests, writing on platform X - formerly Twitter- that "Ireland is at war" and that "you reap what you sow", with his comments since slammed as "inciting hatred".
Conor McGregor said 'you reap what you sow' adding that Ireland was 'at war' following Thursday's violence (AP)Tánaiste Micheál Martin told the Irish Mirror: "There's been many comments I've watched online of that type, which are absolutely disgraceful. We've a parliamentary democracy, we value that. The Irish people do as well. Isolated voices like that and voices that essentially are inciting hate and a degree to some extent incitement is unacceptable."
Mr Martin publicly denounced the riots, saying that it was not representative of “who we are as a people”. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meanwhile refused to address McGregor's comments directly, but said those bringing violence to the streets “brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland and brought shame on their families and themselves”.
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It comes as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris thanked officers who put their lives on the line during the riots - warning them they may have to face fresh trouble. He told them in an internal message to use force to protect the public where necessary, saying: "As we look forward, it might be that we face, regrettably, similar situations again."
An Garda Siochana at the scene in Dublin city centre after five people were injured in an attack (PA)In the memo, Commissioner Harris told staff: "Yesterday, we saw awful events in Dublin- the attack on schoolchildren and their teacher, but also then the violence into the evening both at our cordon point and then the city centre. I really want to commend and thank all those Gardaí who deployed in the city centre to keep the peace and bring offenders to justice. You all did a tremendous job, a very courageous job, and it was done with great professionalism.
"Obviously, we suffered damage to vehicles, but more worryingly, Gardaí suffered injuries as well. I want to point out that we have a full array of welfare and wellbeing facilities open to you. Please avail of them if you feel you need to. And as we look forward, it might be that we face, regrettably, similar situations again.
"All of you may be called upon to do our duty, to do our collective duty, to keep the people of Ireland safe. That can involve at times the use of our coercive powers not only to protect society, but also to protect yourselves.
"I want to say that you have my full support in all that you are doing in terms of the professionalism and our courageous response to outrageous behaviour and violence. Thank you all very much."