Six arrested as protesters torch police van, attack officers in Dublin riot

Six people have been arrested after violent clashes broke out outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers, following the alleged sexual assault of a young girl.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Citywest Hotel on the night of October 21, burning a police vehicle and throwing fireworks, bottles, and other projectiles at officers. According to RTÉ, the crowd — some waving Irish flags and carrying anti-immigrant placards — swelled to as many as 2,000 people.

The Garda Síochána said officers faced “sustained violence” during the unrest. “This was obviously not a peaceful protest,” Police Commissioner Justin Kelly stated. “The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against gardai.”

The riots erupted a day after a 26-year-old asylum seeker was charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near the Citywest facility in south-west Dublin. The child, according to Ireland’s child and family agency Tusla, was in state care at the time and had “absconded” during a trip to the city centre.

While a small protest outside the hotel on Monday passed peacefully, the following night saw a dramatic escalation. Protesters hurled rocks and traffic cones, and set a police van ablaze. Riot police with shields, helmets, and mounted units were deployed to disperse the crowd.

Justice and Migration Minister Jim O’Callaghan condemned the violence, calling it an attempt to exploit public outrage. “The weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected,” he said. “Those involved will be brought to justice. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy — violence is not.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also denounced the “violent disorder” and “vile abuse” directed at police, while acknowledging public concern over the alleged assault. “Clearly, there has been failure here in terms of the state’s obligation to protect this child,” he told parliament.

Anti-immigrant demonstrations have surged across Ireland in recent years, fuelled by claims that asylum seekers worsen the housing crisis and contribute to crime. The latest unrest follows similar far-right-linked riots in Dublin in November 2023 and attacks on foreigners in Northern Ireland earlier this year.

By Vugar Khalilov