Six people have been arrested after a protest outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers descended into violence on Tuesday night. The crowd, estimated at up to 2,000 people, burned a police vehicle and hurled fireworks, bricks and glass bottles at officers.
The demonstration followed an alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl, with a 26-year-old asylum seeker charged in connection with the incident. Police Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the actions, stating: “This was a mob intent on violence against gardai.”
Justice and Migration Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the unrest as “unacceptable”, adding that those involved would face justice. Taoiseach Micheál Martin also condemned the “violent disorder” and “vile abuse” directed at police.
The protest is the latest in a series of anti-immigrant demonstrations across Ireland and the UK, often sparked by alleged crimes. In November 2023, rioting broke out in central Dublin after a stabbing; similar unrest occurred in Northern Ireland and England this year.
Ireland’s child and family agency Tusla confirmed the alleged victim had been in state care and had absconded during a trip to the city centre. Martin acknowledged “there has been failure here in terms of the state’s obligation to protect this child.”
