Protests broke out in Dublin, Ireland, after a 10-year-old girl was reportedly sexually assaulted at a hotel in the city. The demonstrations, involving approximately 2,000 protesters, turned violent outside the Citywest Hotel, which accommodates asylum seekers. During the unrest, a police helicopter was targeted with laser beams, a police van was set on fire, and officers were assaulted with lasers and fireworks. Additionally, some individuals were observed carrying garden forks on the streets.
The intensity of the protest led to the deployment of a water cannon by the police for the first time in the country, as reported by Sky News. The authorities arrested the accused, reported to be of African descent. An Arabic translator was called in for the 26-year-old accused during the court proceedings.
The disturbances began on Tuesday evening in Saggart, a Dublin suburb, resulting in six arrests. The alleged assault sparked outrage among local residents and others who gathered to protest. However, what started as a demonstration quickly spiraled into chaos.
According to the BBC, a female officer required medical attention for a foot injury after the police helicopter was targeted with lasers. Protesters, as per the UK’s Daily Mail, were seen hurling stones and fireworks at the Gardai while concealing their identities. Amid the protests, a police van was set ablaze, prompting the deployment of public order units, including officers on horseback and dog units.
The Garda issued a statement mentioning, “Garda Public Order Units were deployed in full protective equipment and utilised incapacitant spray to repel sustained physical attacks on police personnel.” Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly denounced the violence, labeling it as “thuggery” and condemning the mob’s violent intentions against the Garda.
The BBC reported that some protesters attempted to breach the police cordon using horse-drawn sulkies and wielding garden forks and other tools as weapons. The police stated that the public gathering was organized through social media by various groups inciting hatred and violence.
Ireland’s Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, called for calm and denounced the violence, promising a strong response from the Garda. He emphasized that the violent actions do not represent the people of Saggart but a criminal minority instilling fear within the community. The authorities are actively investigating the incidents to prevent any further escalation.
The alleged sexual assault involving a 10-year-old girl occurred at an asylum hotel in Dublin. The Irish Mirror reported that the girl was allegedly assaulted by a male foreign national of African descent on the hotel premises. The incident took place on Monday morning outside the building, with the victim not being a resident of the hotel, but under the care of Tusla, the State’s Child and Family Agency.
The accused was charged with sexual assault, according to Sky News. This incident follows a previous riot in Dublin sparked by anti-immigrant protesters after the stabbing of three young children, as reported by news agency Reuters.