Dubliners and people across the country are shocked today as a full assessment of the damage of the violence last night is coming to light.

Violence broke out last night on O'Connell Street where a riotous mob caused huge destruction in Dublin, including 13 shops looted, three buses and one Luas tram set on fire and 11 Garda vehicles damaged.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said 34 people had been arrested in the aftermath of the violence with “many more arrests will follow”.

During the unrest, Gardaí clashed with gangs of people, while social media footage showed individual officers being attacked. Numerous Gardaí were injured.

The violence broke out after an attack on several people outside the Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire children’s school on Parnell Square by a man armed with a knife. A girl (5) and a woman in her 30s were seriously injured in this attack. A six-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy sustained less serious injuries

The alleged attacker, supposedly a man in his 40s,  is also being treated for self inflicted injuries. The Gardaí investigating the situation said that they were keeping an 'open mind' as to what was the motive in the attack.

Gardaí say this violence was driven by a “lunatic, hooligan faction driven by a far-right ideology” after rioters grathered on O'Connell Street shortly after 6pm. The Gardaí urged people to “ignore misinformation about the stabbing online”.

The riot was dispelled with calm restored shortly before midnight.

Many Irish creatives and musicians took to the music platform X last night and this morning to voices their shock at the incident that occurred on Thursday night.

Tolü Makay,  Afro-Irish musician and former resident of a Direct Provision centre said of the violent attacks that Dublin has been having anti-social problems for years and that "no consequences has emboldened the gobshites".

We've been having anti social behavioural issues for years!
These issues with violence on luas, blood on the streets, feeling unsafe walking in town etc adds up to behaviour we are seeing tonight.
No consequences has emboldened the gobshites we are seeing tonight.

— Tolü Makay (@ToluMakay) November 23, 2023

West Belfast Rap due Kneecap issued a message calling for mutual support, saying that "we are a nation of emigrants" and told people not to listen to those who spread a message of "fear and hate".

BÁC now is the time to support each other.

Much love to those injured in the horrific attack.

But we are a nation of emigrants, on every corner of the planet. Don’t listen to those who spread fear and hate.

Build communities that care and love each other.

Kick up not down!❤️

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) November 23, 2023

National queer icon and Dublin 1 resident Dr Panti Bliss, drag queen, gay rights activist and owner of Panti Bar tweeted that they "couldn't believe the scenes they were seeing last night".

I live in Dublin 1, but glad I’m in Mayo tonight. Can’t believe the scenes I’m seeing on here. Appalling

— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) November 23, 2023

Musician Emma Langford also took to the platform, offering a message of love and affirmation for those who have been made feel unsafe as a result of the violent clashes last night, saying "you are wanted, welcomed, and supported here in Ireland".

Easy to get caught up in the understandable rage around this, but it's more important to let anyone we know who's been made to feel endangered and vulnerable know that they're loved, wanted, welcomed and supported here in Ireland. Those thugs don't speak for us.

— Emma Langford (@ELangfordMusic) November 23, 2023

Dublin indie rock three piece band Post Party also reacted to the news saying it was "disgusting".

What happened in Dublin City last night is disgusting. I’m disgusted. Show each other kindness, welcome everyone with open arms. That’s what it means to be Irish. Love is the only way through these situations.

— Post-Party (@PostPartyBand) November 24, 2023

English singer songwriter Anne-Marie, who performed at the 3Arena last night in spite of the ongoing riots tweeted saying

Thank you to everyone who got there to the show tonight in Dublin. Please get back safe and let me know when you’re home if you can ❤️❤️

— 🍟ANNE-MARIE🤠 (@AnneMarie) November 23, 2023

Concert goers at the Anne-Marie gig took to X to praise staff members at the 3arena who were described as 'nothing but kind', with some concert goers leaving early due to transport concerns. The Luas and Dublin bus suspended services last night while the Dart ran at a reduced capacity.

Studio engineer Simba Bianchi posted a cautionary tale on X, saying that "the far right are not so far away from us":

The far right are not so far away from us uno. I’m seeing my white Irish clients post about ‘rallying up and getting these cunts out’

— MixedBySimba (@Simba_Bianchi) November 24, 2023

Finally Garda Commissioner Drew Harris issued a statement on both the attacks that occurred yesterday and the public disorder that followed, encouraging people to "go to work and use the city". He continued saying that "we can't allow the city to be given over to the thugs, to the looters and to the arsonists".

Statement from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on serious public disorder in Dublin City Centre, Thursday 23rd November 2023 pic.twitter.com/cukeK7ZpVZ

— Garda Info (@gardainfo) November 24, 2023