Three young children among five people injured in stabbing outside a school in Dublin

Three young children are among five people injured following a “serious incident”outside a school in Dublin city centre.

Police said the three children, a man and a woman were taken to hospitals around Dublin after the incident occurred shortly after 1.30pm.

One of the children, a girl, and the woman are being treated for serious injuries.

The other two children and the man are being treated for less serious injuries, according to police.

The scene at Parnell Square East remains sealed off and police are being assisted by other emergency services.

Police said they are following a “definite line of inquiry” and are not looking for any other person at this time.

“Five casualties have been taken to various hospitals in the Dublin region,” an Irish police spokesperson said.

“The casualties include an adult male, an adult female and three young children.

“One child, a girl, has sustained serious injuries, the other two children are being treated for less serious injuries.

“An Garda Siochana is in contact with parents of all three injured children.”

Helen McEntee, Irish justice minister, said she was “deeply shocked” by the “appalling attack on three innocent children and a woman”.

“All our thoughts are with those injured, especially with the children, their parents and families, during this extremely difficult period,” she said.