Taoiseach 'shocked' by Parnell Square attack

In a statement, Mr Varadkar said that the facts of the case were still emerging, but thoughts and prayers were currently with those injured and their families.

The Taoiseach confirmed he was in contact with the Justice Minister Helen McEntee on the matter.

“The emergency services responded very quickly and were on site within minutes. I thank them for that. Gardaí have detained a suspect and are following a definite line of inquiry,” he added.

Ms McEntee said that she has been “deeply shocked” by the “appalling attack”, adding all her thoughts were with the families and those injured.

She added she had been briefed by the Garda Commissioner on the matter and would remain in close contact with him and other senior gardaí.

“This attack has shocked us all, and I have no doubt that the person responsible will be brought to justice,” Ms McEntee said.

“However, my thoughts now are with the innocent children and the woman who have been attacked, their families, and those who are caring for them at this time.” 

Speaking later in Dublin, Ms McEntee said that it has been a "brutal and barbaric" attack on "innocent" schoolchildren.

"It's an attack on innocence in itself really," Ms McEntee said.

"Above all, our thoughts are with children, the families and the school that has been impacted by this barbaric event today."

Local TD and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said this is the "very darkest of days" for the children, their families and their carers.

"It is also a dark day, not only for the city of Dublin, but for our country overall," Mr Donohoe said.

"It is the worst possible nightmare of anyone with children, it is the worst possible nightmare of all of us to see and become aware of such a sudden attack."

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said his thoughts and prayers were with the families of those who had been injured, while he praised the emergency services for arriving on the scene so quickly.

Sinn Féin leader and local TD Mary Lou McDonald said the children who witnessed the attack would have been traumatised.

“Our heart goes out to the whole school community, to the children, the parents, the teachers,” she said, speaking at the scene.

“I know that the gardaí acted very swiftly in this matter, but this is certainly the last thing that any of us expected on a Thursday afternoon where children should come safely from school and be collected by their parents.

“I pray the injured make a full recovery.

“The community is stunned, stunned and horrified.” 

Local TD Paschal Donohoe said his thoughts were with the victims of the attack, adding anyone with information should contact gardaí.

Education Minister Norma Foley said the National Education Psychological Service is currently providing support to the school community.

Local Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said there were “no words to describe the devastation we are feeling” following the attack.

“An attack on children is an act of absolute cowardice and depravity. All of my thoughts are with the innocent victims of this brutal assault, their families and those who love them,” Mr Gannon said.

Labour’s Aodhán Ó Riordáin described the incident as “deeply traumatic and shocking”, while appealing to politicians and the public not to speculate.

“It is also important that politicians and members of the public do not engage in any speculation on what happened at this time, on social media or elsewhere,” Mr Ó Riordáin said.

“This is not something we ever expected to happen in Dublin City. It illustrates the incredibly important work that our teachers, SNAs and gardaí routinely engage in.” 

Local Fianna Fáil senator Mary Fitzpatrick said she was “deeply saddened and horrified” at the attack.