Riots outside a hotel housing migrants in Ireland’s capital, Dublin, took a grave turn on Tuesday evening when a Gardaí (Irish police) van was set on fire and officers were targeted with bricks, fireworks, and glass bottles. A Gardaí helicopter circling the violent scene was also targeted with a laser, authorities said.
The riots started on Monday night outside the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, a village in County Dublin, after reports that a 10-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by an asylum seeker. A 26-year-old male suspect appeared in court on Tuesday, charged in connection with the alleged assault, which reportedly took place near the hotel.
Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty said his officers had been subjected to “sustained levels of violence” when they attempted to disperse the crowds formed outside the hotel.
“This was not a peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure,” reported McNulty. “Attempts to breach the Garda cordon were also made by charging the line with horse drawn sulkies (Carts). Individuals were observed carrying implements such as garden forks and tools and damaging walls in the locality to obtain missiles.”
Here’s what to know about the ongoing unrest in Dublin:
What prompted the riots in Dublin?
The unrest is centered around the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, which is being used to house asylum-seekers.
The protests, which had started as peaceful demonstrations, were organized in response to the alleged sexual assault of a young girl, believed to have happened near the hotel on Monday. The Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in connection with the investigation.
A man in his 20s was arrested in relation to the incident and appeared at Blanchardstown District Court on Tuesday. He has been charged with sexually assaulting the young girl, who was in the care of the Irish Child and Family Agency, Tusla.
Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said “there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area” and warned people against joining the violent protests.
“Unfortunately, the weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. The Gardaí are prepared for this, but attacking Gardaí and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe,” said O’Callaghan.
Protests of a similar nature occurred in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, in June, after two teenage boys of Romanian descent were charged with attempted rape. A third suspect linked to the alleged rape fled to Romania, a court heard in July.
“What began peacefully escalated into serious public disorder, with rioters targeting Roma and other ethnic minority families, attacking homes, setting vehicles alight, and injuring police officers,” said the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Read More: What to Know About the Northern Ireland Riots as Petrol Bomb-Filled Chaos Spills Into Third Night
How have police responded to the Dublin riots?
Garda Síochána Commissioner Justin Kelly said the riots “can only be described as thuggery,” in a statement on Tuesday. “This was obviously not a peaceful protest… this was a mob intent on violence against Gardaí.”
Kelly condemned the violence experienced by officers and confirmed that “public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support, and the water cannon” had been deployed in an attempt to get the protests under control.
Around 300 officers were deployed to the scene.
Superintendent McNulty said the riots had been organized by “disparate groups” via social media, groups that “stir up hatred and violence and encourage and entice others to get involved.”
Police confirmed Wednesday that six people had been arrested in relation to the violence.
“Operational activity at the scene of the incidents is ongoing, with a full policing and security operation remaining in place,” the authorities confirmed, amid concerns the violence could spill into a third night.
Of those arrested, five men—two in their 50s and three in their 40s—have been charged with public order offenses.
A woman in her 50s who was arrested has since been released without charge. A file will be prepared for Ireland’s Director of Public Prosecutions regarding her arrest and release, police confirmed.
What have politicians said about the riots?
The Taoiseach (Ireland’s Prime Minister) Micheál Martin “strongly condemned” the disorder in Dublin.
“I pay tribute to the frontline Gardai who acted courageously and quickly to restore order,” he said. “There can be no justification for the vile abuse against them, or the attempted assaults and attacks on members of the force that will shock all right-thinking people.”
Justice Minister O’Callaghan, who briefed Martin on the situation, referred to the violence on the streets as “unacceptable” and vowed “those involved will be brought to justice.”
“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,” maintained O’Callaghan.
Irish Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys called the scenes in Dublin “absolutely horrific” during a televised debate Tuesday evening.
“There are men and women of An Garda Síochán being attacked and missiles are being thrown at them,” she said. “This is wrong. This is not what we are as a country.”
Humphreys, who was formerly the Minister of Justice, vowed to break down prejudices towards immigrants.
“We need immigrants in this country,” she said, highlighting how the Irish economy is in need of additional workers.
During the debate, Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly called the riots “very, very upsetting” and said Ireland needs to be “careful” about the divisions within its communities.
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