Dublin Riots: businesses, cultural centres and charities react to violence which occurred last night

On what should be the biggest shopping day of the year for businesses in Ireland's capital city, is instead one of devastation, with 13 shops being looted last night. Many businesses  are issuing statements in regard to the abhorrent violence which shocked Dublin last night.

Arnott's, the luxury department store was one of the worst affected from the looting last night, issued a statement which was shared by RTE correspondent David Murphy on X.

The statement reads "Throughout it's 180 year history Arnott's has not alone survived but thrived through tough times". The message was one of reslience saying "Arnott's is Dublin's department store, it is part of Dublin City so shame on those people last night who did what they did to our city"

The department store reopened at the later time of 12 pm today.

Arnotts statement…#Parnell pic.twitter.com/xkbPOAMODT

— David Murphy (@davidmurphyRTE) November 24, 2023

Fellow major retailer Eason's on O'Connell street also did not reopen till the later 12pm opening time today, adversely affecting business on Black Friday, what should be the busiest shopping day for any high street retailer:

Due to restrictions in Dublin City Centre, Eason O’Connell St. will not be opening until 12pm today. pic.twitter.com/uJqZ9tZQhk

— Eason (@easons) November 24, 2023

Lifestyle Sports on Mary Street is open today and running its planned Black Friday sales, although at reduced hours from 1-5pm today.

It's also not just retailers that have been adversely affected by the riots in Dublin, with cultural centres closing early today as well, as their are still tensions in Dublin City.

Lighthouse Cinema has decided to close it's doors at the earlier time of 6pm today:

For the safety of our staff and patrons we will be closing at the earlier time of 18:00.

All prebooked tickets for today's impacted shows will be refunded.

For queries, please contact [email protected].

Thank you for your patience and understanding. pic.twitter.com/6InGAgTANy

— Light House Cinema (@LightHouseD7) November 24, 2023

However, this is not the consensus of all arts centres in Dublin, another cultural institution, The Abbey Theatre has decided to remain open as normal today with their production of The Quare Fellow set to go ahead tonight:

❤️ pic.twitter.com/lWEZT5bu13

— Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) November 24, 2023

Charities, and non profits have also been affected by the violent clashes in Dublin.

The Muslim Sisters of Éire saying they are unable to complete their weekly soup run, where they often provide hungry Dubliners with northwards of 400 meals. They issued a statement on X which said that the decision was made with a "heavy heart".

It's with a really heavy heart that this decision was made 😔 😟 pic.twitter.com/wtIx4HSBuH

— Muslim Sisters of Eire (@Msoe_Dublin) November 24, 2023

The Mater Hospital has issued a statement requesting that people do not visit the hospital at this time, stating that their number 1 priority is the safety of their staff and patients.:

1/ #PSA: The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital’s number one priority is the safety of our patients and our staff. The #MaterHospital is requesting that the public do not visit the hospital at this time.

— Mater Hospital Trauma (@MaterTrauma) November 24, 2023

The visitor restrictions are being put in place at the hospital from Friday December 24th for 72 hours.

Meanwhile the Irish Congress of Trade Union's have taken to the social media platform to call for a march to take place on Monday the 27th of November at the GPO to denounce the rioting of last night and to assemble respectfully:

We are calling on workers in Dublin city to assemble respectfully and show solidarity at 1pm on Monday 27th Nov at the GPO to denounce last night's rioting and show solidarity with victims of violence and all workers https://t.co/jwkqQjfp4P pic.twitter.com/QJQQzXi4EL

— Irish Congress (ICTU) (@irishcongress) November 24, 2023

The Dublin riots took place on the evening of Thursday the 23rd of November between 6pm and midnight, after three children and a woman were stabbed outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire on Thursday evening.

Civil disorder broke out in Dublin city centre on O'Connell street as a group of far right rioters gathered. Incidents of rioting, looting, arson, and assault of Gardaí officers took place.

There have been 34 arrests made in conjunction to the riots, and an estimated ten of millions of euro worth of damage.