A protest outside the Citywest Hotel, used to house asylum seekers in west Dublin, erupted in violence as bricks and fireworks were hurled at officers attempting to disperse the crowd. Gardaí said one officer sustained injuries, and a helicopter deployed for aerial monitoring was targeted with laser beams from the ground.
The unrest marked the second consecutive night of disturbance in the area, as tensions surrounding Ireland’s asylum accommodation policies continue to escalate. Water cannons were deployed to push back protesters and several individuals were arrested at the scene. Authorities condemned the unrest, branding the event as far from peaceful and driven by disorderly conduct.
The protests follow growing local anger over the use of the hotel for international protection applicants and allegations tying the unrest to reports of a sexual assault involving a child near the facility. The Irish government has previously acknowledged pressures in the asylum accommodation system, noting that new centres have been delayed owing to violent opposition from some communities.
On Tuesday night, approximately 2,000 protesters gathered again outside the Citywest site, escalating into riots when masked individuals threw missiles, set fire to a Garda vehicle, and attacked officers with fireworks and projectiles. Six people were arrested, and the Taoiseach condemned the “violent disorder” as unacceptable, promising that those involved would face the full force of the law.
