A Garda van was set on fire and fireworks were launched at gardaí during a large protest involving up to 1,000 people in Saggart, Co Dublin on Tuesday evening.
Gardaí said six people were arrested following the disturbances, while one officer received medical attention for a foot injury.
Protesters began gathering outside the former Citywest Hotel from early evening, near where an alleged sexual assault took place. The centre is being used by the State as accommodation for international protection applicants.
With a Garda helicopter flying overhead, protesters wielding traffic cones and implements ran towards the blockade. They were pushed back, and more fireworks and missiles were thrown.
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A group broke away and ran to a nearby housing estate, kicked down a number of small walls and returned to the scene with bricks, which they then used as missiles.
Two bins of glass bottles were also acquired by protesters, with the contents launched at gardaí.
Another unit of gardaí then arrived, carrying riot shields to push the crowd north along Garter Lane and away from the entrance to the former hotel. Public order gardaí on horseback and a water cannon truck, purchased in the wake of the November 2023 riots, were deployed by gardaí.
Gardaí charged at pace towards the protesters, who ran from the hotel entrance despite shouts of “hold your ground”.
Officers used pepperspray on some of the crowd who charged towards them, resulting in fewer attempts to break through their barrier.
A row of gardaí carrying riot shields managed to steer people along the tracks of the Luas, which had earlier suspended its red line services between Belgard and Saggart.
Before 11pm, the crowd had thinned considerably and was largely made up of young people.
In a statement, An Garda Síochána said its members were subjected to sustained violence.
“This was not peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure,” the statement said.
“During the evening there were sustained attacks on Garda cordons, including physical violence, bricks thrown and fireworks discharged at Garda members and the arson of a Garda van.
“Bins with hundreds of used glass bottles in the area were emptied and contents used as missiles. Attempts to breach the Garda cordon were also made by charging the line with horse drawn sulkies. Individuals were observed carrying implements such as garden forks and tools and damaging walls in the locality to obtain missiles.
“The Garda helicopter was targeted with lasers,” the Garda press office said.
Up to 300 members of An Garda Síochána were involved in the operation, including over 125 uniformed members, 150 public order officers, water cannon, the mounted unit and and dog unit, supported by members in the air support unit.
Speaking about the violent disorder, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: “An Garda Síochána facilitate peaceful protest on daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against gardaí.
“I utterly condemn the attacks on gardaí who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe. Public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support and the water cannon were deployed along with front-line colleagues, which brought the situation to a conclusion.
“We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice.”
In a statement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I strongly condemn the violent disorder that unfolded in Citywest in Dublin this evening.
“I pay tribute to the frontline gardaí who acted courageously and quickly to restore order.
“The Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner have briefed me on the operation, and I thank everyone for their work. An Garda Síochána protect us all and have a proud tradition of service to the Irish people.
“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.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris also condemned the “violent attacks” on gardaí.
“There is no excuse for this type of violence and thuggery against the men and women who serve to protect us and victims of crime every day,” he said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said the scenes of “public disorder” at Citywest “must be condemned”.
“People threw missiles at gardaí, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire. This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the gardaí. Those involved will be brought to justice,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.”
“Attacks on gardaí will not be tolerated. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not. There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed tonight,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
Earlier on Tuesday evening, gardaí erected metal fencing at the bottom of a driveway leading to the hotel, about half a kilometre away from its entrance.
An urgent call was put about after 5pm for public order-trained gardaí, with kit, to make themselves available for this protest as crowds grew.
At about 7.30pm, as the protest officially started, fireworks and missiles were thrown at gardaí in full public order kit creating a line to block the entrance to the centre.
Pepper spray was then used by members of the force as protesters moved towards them .
A fresh unit of officers with riot shields arrived earlier on Tuesday evening to push the group away from the hotel.
Luas tram services remain suspended between Belgard and Saggart. Dublin Bus’s route 69 is unable to serve Saggart and Citywest, and is being diverted via the N7 to and from Kingswood Avenue.
