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Irish police forces faced off against a large number of protesters outside a capital city hotel used to house refugees following reports of a sexual assault on a young girl.

Violent Clashes and Property Damage

The crowd set fire to a officer car and threw fireworks and various objects at officers outside the Citywest hotel on Tuesday evening.

Estimates suggest the protesters – some of whom waved national banners and held anti-immigrant signs – reached up to two thousand individuals.

Context of the Situation

The disturbances flared a day after a individual was formally accused in connection with an alleged sexual assault. Local media reported that the suspect was a 26-year-old refugee and that the alleged victim was a young girl who was attacked in the vicinity of the Citywest facility, located in the Saggart area.

Although a small protest outside the location passed peacefully on the previous day, on the following evening a far larger group threw rocks and traffic cones. Additionally, a police van was set on fire.

Police Response

Officers, some with riot shields, helmets and horses, pushed the crowd back.

The justice and migration minister denounced the violence. “Regrettably, the exploitation of a criminal act by individuals who wish to sow dissent in our community is not unexpected,” they said in a declaration.

The statement continued: “Such behavior cannot be tolerated and will lead to a strong reaction from the police. Participants will be held accountable. Assaults against law enforcement will not be tolerated. Non-violent demonstration is a fundamental aspect of our society. Aggression is not.”

Wider Situation

Demonstrations opposing foreign nationals and asylum seekers have become common in the past few years, with protesters claiming the newcomers of exacerbating a housing shortage and contributing to violent crime.

Extremist agitators have utilized social media and public gatherings to promote a message that “Ireland is full.”

Comparable unrest broke out in the city center in late 2023 after a man attacked multiple minors near a primary school. In the summer, crowds focused on foreigners in another location following an reported attack. Demonstrations outside asylum seeker hotels and centers also spread across England during the warmer months.

Further Information

Earlier on Tuesday, the national youth protection service confirmed that the alleged victim of this week's event had been in state care at the moment and that she had “left without authorization” during a visit to the downtown area.

Speaking in parliament, the taoiseach acknowledged “public worry, frustration and anxiety of many people” over the alleged assault. “Obviously, there has been failure here in terms of the government's obligation to protect this child.”