Foreign national raped Irish girl in Ireland, protests continue, Garda van set on fire

Protesters gathered in Dublin hotel premises after a young girl was allegedly raped.

Gardaí set up a barrier at the end of the driveway to the hotel. Hundreds of people gathered on the driveway, holding firecrackers and bottles, over the barrier. "Get them out," chants rang out among the crowd, who held tricolour flags.

At around 7.30pm, the crowd in the driveway was pushed back onto Garter Lane. Gardaí used pepper spray to disperse the crowd and push them back onto the road. However, a group of people on horseback attempted to break through a barrier that Gardaí had erected at the top of the driveway.

Protesters then set fire to a Garda van outside the Citywest Hotel overnight. Clashes between protesters and Gardaí continue, with a Garda helicopter deployed.

Gardaí van ablaze outside the IPAS centre at Citywest following an invader staying there, 7 months after he was supposed to be deported, committed a heinous sex attack on a 10yr old child! pic.twitter.com/HcPat5lkoD

— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) October 21, 2025

Gardaí in riot gear remain at the protest site. Traffic on nearby roads has been diverted away from the protest site. 

People threw fireworks at Gardaí and set fire to a Garda vehicle. This is unacceptable and there will be a strong response from the Gardaí. Those involved will be brought to justice." Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said the events in Citywest "must be condemned" and that there will be a strong response from the Gardaí. 

A 10-year-old Irish girl is accused of raping a foreign national from Africa in a Dublin hotel on Monday, October 20. The incident took place in Garter Lane, Saggart. But 

The incident is alleged to have taken place on Monday morning, not inside the Citywest Hotel building in Dublin, but in its grounds.

Sources say the girl, who was in Tuzla's  care, was not staying at the hotel and investigators are trying to find out how she got there.

This morning, a man charged with sexual assault appeared at Blanchardstown District Court. The man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman, contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1990 and section 37 of the Sexual Offences Act 2001. He cannot be identified due to the nature of the offence.

Sergeant Sinead Connolly of Clondalkin Garda Station told Judge John Brennan that the accused was arrested at 3.58am on Tuesday 21 October. Sergeant Connolly said the accused was charged in his presence by Sergeant Neil O'Brien,  

The court heard that the defendant was unemployed, and an Arabic interpreter was appointed and legal aid was provided. The defendant, dressed in a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit, did not appear in court during the brief hearing. "I have nothing to say," he replied.

The defence lawyer informed the court that no bail application had been filed today and that the accused should be remanded in custody until Wednesday. The lawyer requested that he be remanded in custody until Wednesday, when the bail application will be considered. Judge Brennan remanded the accused in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday for bail applications and DPP directions.