Education minister commends bravery of teachers, carer and passer-bys following Dublin attack

Dublin, Ireland. An Garda Síochána and emergency services at the scene of a serious incident on Parnell Square East. According to reports, at least three children were taken to hospital following a suspected stabbing incident, and a man is being treated at the scene. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

The Minister for Education has commended the bravery of the teachers, the carer and the passer-bys following an attack in Dublin City which saw three children and a woman injured on Thursday afternoon. 

Norma Foley said there was "incredible selflessness" from those involved and that it was "quite remarkable that in the midst of such unexpected, such unprecedented actions in Parnell Square, that the instinct to do right, to do good by the passers-by, by the staff it was quite exceptional." 

A five-year-old girl remains in hospital after undergoing emergency treatment for serious injuries.

The woman was also seriously injured while the two other children, a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, suffered less serious injuries.

"There was incredible selflessness. You know, the immediate instinct of everyone — including the carer and the staff in the vicinity, the staff in the school — was to protect the children, to go to the aid of the children," Minister Foley told RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Friday. 

Minister for Education Norma Foley Picture: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

"And it was quite extraordinary that we saw such bravery, such determination, to do the right thing for the children in this awful, awful circumstance and I really do want to acknowledge the carer and the community." 

She hoped for a quick recovery for everyone concerned about the incident. 

Meanwhile, a critical incident plan was invoked at the school following the incident and the National Education Psychological Service (NEPs) teams were on the grounds yesterday and will be available to the school on Friday. 

"They will be available to the school again today and they will consistently work with the school staff to support the school community," Minister Foley said. 

"Every school has a critical incident plan. We would hope that they never have to invoke it, but it was invoked yesterday and the NEPs team go in to support the team within the school, to you know, to support each other and to support the children."

"I think best practice tells us that like this, children need to be with people that they know best and that are calm and secure environments is provided to the children. And that's exactly what will be happening in the school."