A police van was set ablaze last night amidst escalating tensions in an area near Citywest Hotel in Saggart, County Dublin. Reports indicate that a young girl was among those injured in the unrest, which stemmed from an alleged sexual assault incident involving a child.
During the chaotic events, individuals targeted police officers guarding the hotel, which is currently accommodating migrants, by hurling objects and igniting a police van. Footage circulating online captured the intense moment as young men could be heard shouting demands to “Get them out” while projectiles rained down on law enforcement.
In response to the disorder, six individuals were arrested, and one officer from the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, sustained a foot injury. The police condemned the violence, labeling it as thuggery aimed at intimidation and harm, rather than peaceful protest.
The disturbance followed the reported sexual assault near the hotel earlier in the week, prompting locals to organize a protest, which later turned violent. Video footage shows individuals, some masked and waving Irish flags, engaging in aggressive behavior towards law enforcement, including throwing stones.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly denounced the actions as violent and condemned the attacks on the police officers, emphasizing the need to hold those responsible for the crimes accountable. This marks the second consecutive night of protests outside the hotel, which serves as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan vowed to ensure that those involved in the violence face justice, expressing strong disapproval of the disruptive and dangerous actions witnessed during the protest. The incidents in Dublin mirror similar unrest seen in various locations across the UK during the summer, albeit with some anti-racism groups staging counter-protests to oppose such actions.
