A police van was set ablaze last night amidst further unrest linked to immigration issues. Reports indicate that a young girl and others sustained injuries during the chaos near Citywest Hotel in Saggart, County Dublin following an alleged child sexual assault incident.
Violence escalated as individuals hurled objects at law enforcement officers guarding the hotel, which is currently accommodating migrants. Disturbing scenes captured on video show young men shouting demands to remove the migrants while projectiles were thrown at the police.
Six individuals were apprehended, and a foot injury was reported by an officer of An Garda Siochana, the Irish police service, denouncing the violence as thuggery intended to intimidate and harm.
The disorder stemmed from a sexual assault incident near the hotel early Monday, prompting locals to plan a peaceful protest on Tuesday that later turned turbulent. Footage shows people waving Irish flags and chanting before aggression erupted towards the police.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the violent actions as a mob targeting law enforcement officers instead of facilitating a peaceful protest. Various police units were deployed to quell the situation and identify those responsible for criminal acts.
This marked the second consecutive night of protests outside the hotel, which serves as state accommodation for asylum seekers. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing a strong response to the unacceptable violence witnessed at Citywest.
Similar unruly incidents have been witnessed in various UK towns and cities, with anti-racism groups staging counter-protests in some locations like Bristol and Liverpool during the summer.