Dublin has witnessed its worst street violence in more than 30 years as pitched battles between riot police and rioters took place on O'Connell St and spread to Kildare St and the south quays forcing the cancellation of the Love Ulster parade.
The protest against the parade quickly turned ugly after it was hijacked by rioting youths and a lesser number of republican demonstrators.
Ambulance personnel wear protective helmets as they look down O'Connell Street during today's riots in Dublin.
The first confrontation took place at the GPO where riot police came under fierce attack from more than three hundred people. Signposts, poles and debris from a building site on the street were thrown at gardaí who slowly pushing the rioters towards O'Connell Bridge.
The violence then moved in the direction of Dáil Éireann where lines of riot police and mounted police blocked off the entrance to Kildare St.
At least two cars were set ablaze just 50 yards from the entrance to the National Gallery and 500 yards from Government Buildings as the scene became increasingly tense.
The rioters were then forced up Nassau St in the direction of Grafton St and Westmoreland St where further clashes took place. Shoppers, children and bemused tourists were caught up in a stampede at the top of Grafton St before the situation stabilised.
Gardaí then came under fierce attack from bottle-throwing youths on Aston Quay. Several arrests were made as the rioters were forced up the quays in the direction of the Ha'Penny Bridge where the violence appeared to dissipate.
Serious damage was also caused at Pearse train station. Garda reinforcements were required at multiple locations as shops and vehicles came under fire.
Engagements continued late into the afternoon as rioters moved among shoppers at Jervis St near O'Connell Street.
Latest Garda figures say eight civilians and six gardaí were taken to hospital. Many others sustained lesser injuries and the figure is likely to rise.
At least 40 people were arrested but this figure is also likely to rise, a Garda spokesman said. A special sitting of Bridewell District Court was organised this evening to deal with some of those detained.