Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we gather this evening, the victims of the atrocious stabbing incident in Dublin remain first and foremost in our thoughts and prayers. We also give thanks to the heroes who intervened in what was a terrible situation. The appalling knife assault followed by the chaotic rampage of a mob in our capital starkly contradicts the values we hold dear in this country. It is disheartening but not surprising to witness the despicable political opportunism emerging in this Chamber in the wake of these events, particularly from those on the benches opposite. Sinn Féin's rhetoric is focused more on scoring political points than on offering viable solutions, which is what Dubliners and the public need at this critical juncture.

I have full confidence in and support the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and An Garda Síochána. I trust in their ability to protect our communities and keep them safe. Let us be clear: the incidents of last Thursday were horrific and completely unacceptable. The thuggery of the extreme and far-right aggressors responsible for last week's riots represents a threat to our democratic values. We will not stand for an assault on An Garda Síochána or any front-line emergency services. Mob violence and the underlying ideologies driving it have no place in our democracy. Those responsible for these actions must endure the full weight of the law. Our focus now must be on unity and working together to uphold the rule of law, to strengthen the powers within An Garda Síochána and to find effective long-term solutions to these far-right threats. We owe it to the victims, their families and everyone impacted by last Thursday's events.

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