Our thoughts with children affected by attack - President

President Michael D Higgins has said that "all of our thoughts are with each of the children and their families affected by today's horrific attack".

"We are particularly thinking of the five-year-old girl and the member of staff caring for her who are both in serious condition in hospital," President Higgins said.

"All of our prayers are with each of them for a full recovery."

The President added that gardaí deserve all of our support in dealing with this incident.

"This appalling incident is a matter for the gardaí and that it would be used or abused by groups with an agenda that attacks the principle of social inclusion is reprehensible and deserves condemnation by all those who believe in the rule of law and democracy," he said.