Dublin, October 22: Serious unrest erupted outside a Dublin hotel accommodating asylum seekers on Tuesday evening, as Gardaí came under attack from fireworks, missiles, and other projectiles. A Garda vehicle was set ablaze during the disturbances, leading to the arrest of six individuals.
The violent scenes unfolded outside the Citywest Hotel, where a large crowd had gathered following an alleged sexual assault reported in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday. A 26-year-old man has since appeared in court in connection with that incident.
Violence and Disorder
According to An Garda Síochána, officers came under sustained attack, with bricks and fireworks hurled at them, and a Garda van torched amid the chaos. One Garda member sustained a foot injury and required medical treatment.
In a further escalation, some individuals attempted to charge Garda lines using horse-drawn sulkies, while the Garda helicopter monitoring the unrest was targeted with laser beams. A number of participants had their faces covered, and authorities deployed a water cannon to disperse the rioters.
As the situation intensified, Luas Red Line services between Belgard and Saggart were suspended as a precaution. Later in the evening, glass panels at the Saggart Luas stop were smashed.
Chants of “Get them out” echoed through the crowd, many of whom carried Irish tricolours. At around 7:30 p.m., Gardaí used pepper spray to push protesters back towards Garter Lane, while a group of men on horseback attempted to breach police barricades at the hotel’s entrance.
Government and Garda Response
Visiting the scene after midnight, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the violence, describing it as “thuggery” and “a mob intent on attacking Gardaí.” Standing near the charred remains of a burned-out Garda van, he commended officers for their professionalism and courage in containing the situation.
“This was obviously not a peaceful protest,” Commissioner Kelly said. “We will now begin identifying those responsible for these crimes and bring them to justice.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin strongly denounced the attacks, stating there could be “no justification” for violence against Gardaí.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan echoed that view, saying: “The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest tonight must be condemned. People threw missiles at Gardaí, set a Garda vehicle on fire, and endangered lives. This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response. Those involved will be brought to justice.”
The minister confirmed that Gardaí had assured him there was no ongoing threat to public safety, and emphasised that “attacking Gardaí and property is not an answer.” He added that those responsible for inciting fear and division were exploiting a criminal case to sow dissent in Irish society.
“This violence does not reflect the people of Saggart,” O’Callaghan said. “They are not the ones participating in this criminality, but the ones sitting at home in fear of it.”
Political Reactions
During the final televised debate of the presidential campaign, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys also condemned the violence, describing the scenes as “absolutely awful.”
“What we’re seeing unfolding on our television screens this evening is horrific,” she said on RTÉ’s Prime Time. “Members of An Garda Síochána have been attacked with stones and fireworks. If anybody knows someone involved in these riots tonight, please tell them to go home.”
Earlier, Justice Minister O’Callaghan reiterated that Garda investigations had found “no correlation between the location of International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres and crime levels” in the community.
A Nation Shocked by Violence
The Citywest clashes have drawn widespread condemnation from across Ireland’s political spectrum. Leaders have called for calm, urging citizens not to allow misinformation or fear to be exploited by those seeking to divide communities.
Authorities have since reinforced Garda presence in the area and confirmed that investigations are underway to identify and prosecute all those involved in the attacks.
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