Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has urged anyone unsure of going into Dublin City this weekend to do so, saying order has been restored.

In an update this afternoon, Ms McEntee said there is now a strong, highly visible Garda presence in the city centre.

"It's so important that people feel safe in our town and in our cities right across this country," she said.

Ms McEntee was briefed by the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris today along with senior officers from across the city.

She said additional funding of €4.4m has been allocated to buy more Garda cars and vans, and also insisted that the Government is united in its efforts to make sure that people are safe in this country.

The funding will allow for the purchase of 95 extra Garda cars and vans by the end of this year, including 17 high visibility public order Garda vans, 38 new fully electric patrol cars, and 40 unmarked surveillance cars.

A total of 48 arrests have been made in the city since Thursday, and a high visibility policing plan is in place throughout the weekend, including the deployment of four public order units.

Ms McEntee said the garda dog unit and the mounted unit are also being deployed, and two water cannon are now available for use if required.

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

"Those responsible will be brought to justice," she added.

The water cannon will remain available to Public Order Commanders until the end of the year

Two water cannon which are on loan from the PSNI can be deployed from today in the event of any further violent protests or riots.

Nine gardaí who were already trained in their use completed a refresher course last night and more are also to undergo the specialist training.

Garda Headquarters says two crews are now available to operate the water cannon which are now on standby.

The water cannon will remain available to Public Order Commanders until the end of the year.

It is understood consideration is also being given to purchasing some, however the last time they were deployed in this country was in 2004.

They were also loaned from the PSNI for the Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 2011 but were not used and a number of gardaí were trained in their use then.

Thursday's unrest was followed by a quieter night last night with no major incidents.

Hundreds of officers were deployed in the city centre, with a particular presence being held around the O'Connell St area.

Gardaí held a strong presence on O'Connell St last night

Gardaí say a small number of people were arrested for public order incidents and fighting amongst themselves.

The area was the scene of angry impromptu protests on Thursday following the attack outside a school earlier that day.

Those protests spiralled into a night of violence that saw a bus, Luas tram, and at least one garda car set alight.

Yesterday, Commissioner Drew Harris wrote to all gardaí assuring them of his support if they use their coercive powers to protect themselves and society in a lawful and proportionate manner.

He also said there was an "element of radicalisation" in the riots which erupted on Thursday following the knife attack in which a woman and three young children were injured.

A five-year-old girl remains in a critical condition in hospital, while a woman who works as a carer for the children is also in a serious condition.

Two other children, a six-year-old-girl and five-year-old boy, also suffered wounds. Both have since been discharged.

The suspect of the attack is also in hospital.

Additional reporting: Paul Reynolds