GARDA COMMISSIONER DREW Harris has condemned what he described as a “complete, lunatic hooligan faction” driving violence against gardaí in Dublin city centre this evening.

Crowds have confronted gardaí in the streets around Parnell Square East this evening – throwing bottles, bags of rubbish and other missiles at police as public order officers were deployed. Fireworks were also let off at officers.

Footage on social media this evening shows multiple instances of gardaí being attacked.

“We have a complete, lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology and also this destructive tendency here to engage in serious violence,” Harris said in a briefing to reporters.

Footage online shows multiple cars – including garda cars – have been damaged or set alight in tonight’s violence.

Harris said: “I understand a number of Garda vehicles have been damaged.

He added: “But in respect of arrests and injuries, I can’t give details at this moment.”

It comes after five people, including three children, were injured in a stabbing outside a school today on Parnell Square East.