DUBLIN LORD MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS APPEAL
De Roiste urges shoppers to enjoy festive markets after riots shame
DUBLIN’S Lord Mayor has urged the public not to be afraid of visiting the city this Christmas despite the riots which caused the capital “massive reputational damage”.
Daithi de Roiste made the plea as he officially opened the traditional Christmas markets in the heart of the capital yesterday morning.
This includes the Temple Bar Christmas Market, the Henry Street, and Mary Street Christmas Market.
Areas which saw some of the worst riots in five decades have now been converted to bustling markets which will be open seven days a week up until Christmas Eve.
Urging the public to visit, Lord Mayor de Roiste said: “In the last week we’ve seen the very worst of Dublin and the very best of Dublin. I don’t need to go through the scenes we saw last Thursday, but we’ve also seen the best of Dublin where we’ve come together.
“The Henry St/mary St market has almost become as much a part of Christmas as the tree.
“It’s great to see all the traders back again. They’ve been here as long as I can remember and always help create a lovely festive atmosphere at this time of year.
“They’re a very important part of the city-centre Christmas shopping experience. As the oldest Christmas market in the city, it boasts a rich history that spans generations and is a lovely tradition for many Dubliners. Long may it continue”. At least 34 arrests were made during a night of violence which saw widespread looting in the centre of the city following a knife attack outside a school. The stabbings occurred outside Gaelscoil
Colaiste Mhuire in Parnell Square when five people, including three children, were injured as a result of the incident.
Two of the children have since been discharged from the hospital, while one girl, aged five, remains in a critical condition.
A care assistant was also hospitalised as result of the incident and is said to be in a serious but stable condition.
The attacker, who is in his 50s, is also still in hospital.
During the riots one Luas tram and eight garda vehicles were extensively damaged and 13 properties were attacked and substantially damaged.
It emerged on Friday that garda chiefs have sent officers to perform protection posts on the home of Leo Varadkar in Dublin and Micheal Martin in Cork following the riots.