A suspected stabbing on Dublin's Parnell Square is believed to be 'a standalone incident' and not connected to any wider issues.
Superintendent Liam Geraghty said it is also not believed to be terror-related.
A woman and three young children were injured in the attack this afternoon.
It happened shortly after 1:30 pm this afternoon near Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East.
Preliminary indications are that a man attacked a number of people on Parnell Square East.
Five people have been taken to hospitals in the Dublin region.
These include three young children, an adult woman and an adult man.
One girl (5) sustained serious injuries and is in a critical condition. She is currently receiving emergency medical treatment in Temple Street Hospital.
Superintendent Liam Geraghty speaking to media outside Mountjoy Garda station after a serious incident on Parnell Square East, 23/11/2023. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ieA boy (5) and a girl (6) who received less serious injuries were brought to CHI Crumlin for treatment.The boy has since been discharged.
An Garda Síochána is providing support to the children's parents.
The woman aged in her 30s is being treated for serious injuries at the Mater Hospital.
The man in his 50s is also being treated for serious injuries at a Dublin hospital.
The scene remains sealed off at this time and a technical examination of the scene is ongoing.
Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry. The man in his 50s is a person of interest in this investigation.
An incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.
An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person at this time and continues to have an open mind.
Gardaí and emergency services at the scene of a serious incident on Parnell Square East in Dublin city centre, 23/11/2023. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ieSuperintendent Liam Geraghty said they believe this is a standalone incident.
"At this time An Garda Síochána is satisfied from our enquiries that there is no terror-related activity, or related to any wider aspects in relation to this matter," he said.
"It would appear to be a standalone attack, and we need to determine the reasons behind that.
"My understanding is a knife was used in the attack, but we're not able to provide any more details on the nature of the injuries.
"It's my understanding the person of interest was detained at the scene."
'Not to jump to conclusions'
Superintendent Geraghty said it does not appear to have been an attack on the school.
"We believe that this is a standalone incident, not necessarily connected to any wider issues that are ongoing out in the country or in the city," he said.
"We need to identify the exact reasons for that happening, so we would ask people not to jump to conclusions and not to make rash judgements on what may have happened.
"We don't believe this was an attack on the school," he added.
He also thanked members of the public who intervened in the initial stages to help those involved.
Appeal
An Garda Síochána is appealing to any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí.
They are also appealing to any person who may have mobile phone footage of the attack, or the immediate aftermath, to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda station on 01-666-8600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.
