Dublin riots: Gardaí seek 99 people a year into investigation

Gardaí (Irish police) investigating riots which broke out in Dublin almost a year ago have released CCTV images of 99 people they want to speak to about the disorder.

The riots began shortly after three children and a school care assistant were stabbed outside a city centre primary school on 23 November 2023.

During the hours of disorder which followed the attack, 13 officers were injured, several vehicles were set on fire and shops were damaged and looted.

Ahead of the first anniversary of the riots, gardaí have appealed for public help to identify 99 “persons of interest” in a bid to rule them in or out of the investigation.

Ch Supt Patrick McMenamin said gardaí were seeking assistance “in order that we can bring to justice everyone who contributed to the rioting and violent disorder of the 23rd of November last”.

He added that the 99 individuals have been “identified as being present in the city centre and having played a role in the events” of that day.

Gardaí have also asked anyone who recognises themselves in the CCTV stills to make contact with the investigation team.

The images were released on the gardaí website after officers trawled through more than 17,000 hours of CCTV footage.

Public demand to see them led to interruptions on the website.

Gardaí said there were temporary delays in accessing the images on Tuesday “due to the high volume of traffic” to the website.

The stabbing which preceded the riots happened outside Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire school on Parnell Square after children had left class that Thursday afternoon.

A young girl and a school care assistant who tried to shield the children were both seriously injured during the attack.

One man has been charged with attempted murder and is in custody awaiting trial.

The riots broke out in the inner city at about 16:00 local time that day and continued to about midnight.

In total 28 vehicles were damaged, including a Luas tram and three Dublin buses which were destroyed by fire.

Some 66 business were damaged by rioters.

On Tuesday, Gardaí released updated statistics showing the progress of their investigation so far.

To date, 57 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, 53 of whom have been charged.

Some 14 people have been convicted of public order offences, with punishments ranging from imprisonment to a caution.

A team of more than 50 gardaí and eight other staff are continuing to investigate the riots.