• Source:JND
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Violence erupted in Dublin on Tuesday evening as anti-immigrant protests outside the Citywest Hotel, which houses asylum seekers, turned chaotic. Gardaí (Irish police) were attacked with bricks, fireworks, and glass bottles, while protesters set a police van on fire, prompting a forceful law enforcement response. 

The demonstration was triggered by an alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in the city centre in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident occurred while the victim, reportedly in state care, was on a recreational outing with staff from Ireland’s child and family agency, Tusla. According to Tusla, she had “absconded” from the group and was later reported missing, though she maintained phone contact with staff.

The assault, which has drawn national attention, involved a 26-year-old man who has since been charged in connection with the case. Reports suggest he is an asylum seeker and requested a Romanian interpreter in court. Authorities, however, have not confirmed his nationality or ethnicity. Sinn Fein leaders noted that the man had a deportation order issued in March of this year, raising questions about the handling of his asylum application.

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Escalation And Violence

The protest outside the Citywest Hotel attracted between 500 and 2,000 people. Demonstrators waved Irish flags, carried placards with anti-immigrant slogans, and chanted phrases such as “Get them out!” and “Irish lives matter.” The situation escalated when protesters threw glass bottles and fireworks at police, prompting the use of pepper spray to disperse the crowd. During the chaos, a police van was set ablaze, and six individuals were arrested, five of whom have been charged.

Video footage shared by Irish media outlets and social media users showed thick smoke rising from the burning van and armed police attempting to control the crowd. 

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Prime Minister Micheal Martin described the protests as “extremely serious and deeply concerning,” acknowledging public outrage over the alleged assault. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan condemned the violence, stating: “The weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response.”

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