A pupil at a national school in north Dublin has been stabbed in an attack gardaí believe was carried out by another pupil.
The school has been sealed off and an investigation has commenced.
The victim, who is believed to be 11, was taken from the scene to hospital for treatment for his wound.
Gardaí were trying to determine a motive for the incident, which was initially unclear.
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While the boy’s injury was not life-threatening, and was not expected to be life-changing, he suffered a serious wound to his back, which impacted a vital organ.
He was receiving intensive medical care at Temple St Children’s Hospital and required surgery. The operation was expected to be performed on Tuesday evening.
A number of sources familiar with the case said though the injured boy was expected to make a full recovery, he had sustained a very serious injury and the outcome of the attack could have been much worse.
Gardaí are trying to determine if there was a history, or any recent issue at the school, that may have led to the incident. Garda sources described the attack as “highly unusual”, given the ages of the victim and the other boy believed to have inflicted the wound.
One line of inquiry is that the stabbing resulted from a relatively minor dispute, or competitiveness, between the children. It is understood the boy suspected of the attack had not come to the attention of the Garda before.
A knife, believed to be a large penknife or similar, was used and the investigation under way is focused on whether it was already in the school or had been brought onto the premises on Tuesday. The school was approached by The Irish Times for comment but declined.
The Department of Education said the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) was “on the ground providing support to staff and the school community at this school” and would be present again on Wednesday. It would “provide information, support and advice to management and staff ... as the impact of the incident unfolds”.
In the Republic the age of criminal responsibility is 12 years, meaning - with some exceptions - a child below that age cannot be arrested by gardaí on suspicion of a criminal offence and cannot be charged.
Children who are aged 10 or 11 can, in some circumstances, be charged with murder, manslaughter, rape or aggravated sexual assault.
In cases where a young child is suspected of a very serious offence, the child and family agency, Tusla, becomes involved.
The matter can also be dealt with by the parents of the suspect, sometimes in conjunction with the victim’s parents. Children suspected of offending arising from mental health issues can, in some circumstances, be detained under the Mental Health Act.
“Gardaí attended an incident that occurred at a primary school in north Dublin involving two children. Both children involved attend the school,” An Garda Síochána said in a statement on Tuesday.
“One male child has been taken to a hospital in Dublin with injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening. Gardaí are in contact with the parents of both children.
“An Garda Síochána is currently liaising with school management and staff with a view to identifying the precise circumstances around the incident.
“An Garda Síochána will continue to engage with all relevant State agencies regarding this incident. There is no concern for public safety.”
