Dublin has been plunged into chaos after three consecutive nights of violent unrest, with clashes between protesters and Irish police (An Garda Síochána) sparked by the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near a hotel housing asylum seekers. The wave of violence, centered around the Citywest Hotel complex west of the capital, has seen police vehicles set ablaze, officers injured, and dozens arrested as anti-immigration sentiment continues to surge.

The Alleged Assault That Sparked the Riots

The unrest began on Monday night, following reports of an alleged sexual assault involving a 10-year-old Irish girl. The accused, a 26-year-old migrant, appeared before Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday via video link, speaking through an Arabic interpreter. According to court documents, his asylum claim had been rejected in 2024 and he was under a deportation order since March.

Defense counsel requested medical and psychiatric evaluations for the accused, reserving the right to apply for bail at a later stage. The girl, reportedly in state care, had absconded from her escort before the alleged incident. The case has further inflamed tensions surrounding Ireland’s asylum and deportation systems, with right-wing groups using the incident to amplify calls for stricter immigration control.

Citywest Hotel Becomes Flashpoint of Anti-Migrant Anger

The Citywest Hotel and Conference Centre, currently accommodating over 2,300 asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees, quickly became the epicenter of escalating protests. While Monday’s demonstration remained largely peaceful, Tuesday night turned violent as demonstrators set fire to a Garda van, hurled projectiles, and clashed with police lines.

By Wednesday evening, the unrest reached a dangerous peak. Hundreds of protesters, many waving Irish flags and chanting anti-migration slogans, gathered outside Citywest. Approximately 40 Garda officers initially held the line before being replaced by the Public Order Unit — armed with plastic shields and protective gear — after officers were struck with fireworks, bottles, and stones.

Protesters reportedly targeted a Garda helicopter with lasers, vandalized property near the Saggart Luas tram stop, and attempted to breach police cordons using scrambler bikes and horse-drawn carts. The gardaí eventually dispersed the crowd using controlled advances, tackling several suspects who tried to flee.

Police Injuries and Arrests Mount

Over the three nights of unrest, at least two officers were hospitalized, one suffering a head injury from a thrown bottle and another sustaining a shoulder wound. A female officer injured on Tuesday was later discharged. By Wednesday night, Gardaí confirmed multiple arrests, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan warning that “more will follow.”

He condemned the violence as “thuggish and unacceptable,” vowing that offenders would be “charged, named, and dealt with relentlessly.” Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the events not as protests but as “violence intended to damage property and intimidate residents.”

Political Leaders Condemn the Violence

Irish political leaders have united in condemning the attacks. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there could be “no justification for attacking Garda officers,” calling for calm and restraint. The government is expected to hold emergency discussions on Thursday regarding the growing wave of anti-immigration demonstrations across the country.

The scenes at Citywest underscore a volatile moment in Ireland’s public debate over migration, asylum policy, and community safety, as authorities brace for further unrest.