Elon Musk says Leo Varadkar ‘hates the Irish people’ as he backs Conor McGregor

There was a heavy police presence – including dogs, mounted officers and water cannons – in Dublin on Saturday evening following serious rioting in the capital on Thursday.

The disorder broke out after crowds gathered following an attack on young children and their creche worker in the Parnell Square area of the city.

In response to a post on X outlining Mr Varadkar’s intention to pass new laws in the coming weeks to help gardaí make better use of CCTV to catch those engaged in disorder, Mr Musk said: “Ironically, the Irish PM (Taoiseach) hates the Irish people”.

"This is their last term in office,” added the billionaire.

Mr Musk also appeared to suggest that former UFC fighter Conor McGregor should run for political office.

Responding to a post from one user’s reply to McGregor saying he should run for office to “kick these losers out”, the Tesla owner said: “Not a bad idea”.

"The current Irish government clearly cares more about praise from woke media than their own people,” said Musk in a further post.

It comes after Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she has been briefed by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on the policing plan and ongoing operations to maintain order in Dublin.

She said her thoughts remain with the young children and their creche worker who were attacked by a man armed with a knife outside a school on Thursday afternoon.

"I have provided additional overtime in the capital, and I am determined to maintain the momentum we are now building in Garda recruitment to increase the number of Garda members on the ground.

"I want to again be clear that the thuggery we saw on Thursday will not be tolerated and, as Minister for Justice, An Garda Siochana, including Commissioner Harris, have my full support to maintain order. Those responsible will be brought to justice.”

On Friday, the PSNI dispatched two water cannon following a request from their Dublin counterparts, with the Garda confirming its use was an “available tactic” for them.

"Training has taken place to refresh previously trained operators and water cannons are now an available tactic to public order operational commanders for An Garda Síochána,” said a spokesperson.

"Commissioner Harris thanks the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and all PSNI personnel involved for their offer of assistance and rapid response to his request."

There were chaotic scenes on Thursday evening - which involved far-right elements - with Garda cars, buses and trams set alight, and shops looted and damaged after the knife attack in the north inner city.

Some 34 people were arrested during the scenes on the capital's main thoroughfare O'Connell Street, and Garda officers are trawling 6,000 hours of CCTV footage from the night.

It was quieter on Friday night with gardaí regaining control and a small number of people were arrested for public order offences.

The five-year-old girl injured in the knife attack outside a school remains in a critical condition in hospital on Friday while the female care assistant, in her 30s, is in a serious condition.

The two other children, a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, suffered less serious injuries.

The six-year-old remained in hospital on Friday but the boy was discharged.

Gardai said a man who sustained serious injuries at the scene is a person of interest in their investigation.

More than half a million euros has been raised for the victims of the stabbing attack, and those who intervened.

A number of GoFundMe pages have been set up, with the highest total for an effort to assist Deliveroo driver Caio Benicio who intervened in the attack to stop the man armed with a knife.