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 ambushed 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…
