This is the moment a police van was set on fire as riots broke out near a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin.
Officers were also attacked with missiles and fireworks as protesters gathered at the Citywest Hotel last night.
Six people were arrested and the Irish police service, the gardai or An Garda Siochana, said one of its officers suffered a foot injury.
In a statement, the force said: ‘This was not peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure.’
The violence followed the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near the asylum site in the early hours of Monday morning.
Protesters were filmed displaying Irish flags and chanting. Some of the crowd also threw stones at the gardai.
A large crowd remained in the area until after 9pm and public order officers with shields, and some on horseback, prevented protesters from reaching the hotel.
A number of those involved in the disturbances had their faces covered.
This is the moment a police van was set on fire as riots broke out near a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin
Disturbances have flared outside the Citywest Hotel in Dublin which is used to house asylum seekers
Protesters were filmed displaying Irish flags and chanting. Some of the crowd also threw stones at the gardai
The helicopter was also seen hovering overhead and a water cannon was deployed to the scene. Police said its chopper was targeted with lasers.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: ‘An Garda Siochana facilitate peaceful protest on a daily basis.
‘This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardai.
‘I utterly condemn the attacks on Gardai who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe.
‘Public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support and the water cannon were deployed along with front-line colleagues, which brought the situation to a conclusion.
‘We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice.’
It is the second night in a row a protest has been held outside the hotel, which is being used as state accommodation for people seeking asylum.
Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that those involved in the violence will be brought to justice.
He said: ‘The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest tonight must be condemned.
Protesters face a line of police at a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Dublin
Protesters are seen throwing fireworks at gardai officers by the hotel
A large crowd remained in the area until after 9pm and public order officers with shields, and some on horseback, prevented protesters from reaching the hotel
‘People threw missiles at gardai, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire.
‘This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the gardai.
‘Those involved will be brought to justice.’
The minister said a man had been arrested and appeared in court in relation to the alleged assault on the 10-year-old girl.
He added: ‘While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.
‘Unfortunately, the weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected.
‘The gardai are prepared for this, but attacking gardai and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe.
‘It is clear to me from talking to colleagues during the day and this evening that this violence does not reflect the people of Saggart.
‘They are not the people participating in this criminality, but rather the people sitting at home in fear of it.’
Mr O’Callaghan said attacks on gardai will ‘not be tolerated’.
He added: ‘Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not.
‘There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed tonight.’
