Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together.

My thoughts remain with the young children and their crèche worker who were so viciously assaulted. This was a truly shocking incident and one that has left a deep impression on so many of us.

Just before 2.30pm on Thursday 23 November I was informed of the attack by the Secretary General of my Department who had been briefed by An Garda Síochána on what was then known about the appalling stabbing in Parnell Square. I first made contact with the Garda Commission just after 2.40pm and remained in ongoing close contact with the Secretary General and the Commissioner throughout the day and up to 11 pm that evening in relation to the initial attack and as the public disorder developed, including a meeting in my Department that evening. Following that meeting the Commissioner and I jointly spoke to the media to provide reassurance that those responsible for the riots would be brought to justice.

I was then briefed again by the Commissioner at 7.50 am on Friday morning on the progress of the investigation and arrests overnight. I remained in close contact with him over the weekend, as well as having ongoing briefings with senior officials in my Department.

I also met with, and thanked, frontline Gardaí in Store Street, Pearse Street, the Bridewell and the Dublin Metropolitan Region Control Centre in Heuston Station over that weekend. I and my Department remain in ongoing close contact with the Commissioner and his senior team.