A police van was set on fire and officers were attacked Tuesday night as violent demonstrations erupted in front of a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers, local media reported.
The protests followed allegations that a man, identified by local media as an asylum seeker, assaulted a ten-year-old girl near the Citywest Hotel on Monday. During the second night of demonstrations, footage showed protesters throwing projectiles at police, launching fireworks, and setting a police vehicle alight.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in a statement condemned the unrest. “The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest … must be condemned,” he said. “Unfortunately, the weaponizing of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. … Attacks on Gardaí will not be tolerated. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not,” He added.
Several arrests were made, and police warned that those involved would face justice.
