Disturbances and burning cars reported in Dublin during Halloween night

Violent disturbances occurred in Dublin on Halloween night on October 31, 2026, as social media videos showed cars driven at high speed through residential estates. According to the Irish Examiner, local officers were instructed not to enter parts of Cherry Orchard due to severe disorder. [1]

Footage circulated online displayed crowds of people watching from pavements and gardens as vehicles travelled at speed. The Irish Examiner reported that multiple cars and refuse bins were set on fire, while fireworks were exploded erratically across housing areas. [1]

Unrest on Halloween night has been seen in other regions in recent years. In October 2022, a similar riot caused by a large group of youths occurred in the Kirkton area of Dundee, Scotland. [5]

The Dublin disorder follows previous major civil unrest in the Irish capital. In November 2023, a serious riot in Dublin city centre involved widespread vandalism, arson, and public assaults that officials estimated caused millions of euros in damage. [4]