Five individuals have been formally charged in connection with violent outbreaks outside a centre in Dublin housing International Protection applicants.
Authorities have sealed off the main entrance to the Citywest facility as they conduct a forensic investigation of the area, reports RTE.
Missiles and improvised weapons were seized in evidence bags, while detectives are now reviewing both CCTV and body-worn camera footage.
Approximately 2,000 demonstrators gathered in the area last night, but tensions escalated when masked individuals began launching missiles and fireworks at officers, damaging a Luas stop and setting fire to a Garda van, reports RTE.
One female Garda sustained injuries during the clashes and six people were taken into custody.
Five men, all in their 40s and 50s, have been brought before the courts facing charges related to public disorder, disturbing the peace, and possession of weapons, reports RTE.
One woman was released without charge, and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
According to Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, more arrests and legal action are expected following what he referred to as “thuggery” by “a mob intent on violence”, reports RTE.
Some residences in the vicinity experienced power outages after meter boxes were broken when bricks were removed to be used as projectiles.
Locals, who wished to remain anonymous, condemned the disturbances and expressed fear over the events, reports RTE.
The protest was sparked after a man appeared in court facing allegations of sexually assaulting a girl two days earlier.
Child and Family Agency Tusla announced the implementation of additional family support services and counselling, alongside a helpline for those in the community with child protection concerns, reports RTE.
The helpline number is 1800 805 665 and operates from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
The senior officer overseeing the operation said the violence had been planned in advance and coordinated online, reports RTE.
Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty described the gathering as “a public gathering organised by disparate groups on social media who stir up hatred and violence and encourage others to get involved”.
Gardaà had prior intelligence indicating plans for violence and issued an appeal two hours before the protest, requesting trained public order officers from outside the Dublin area to make themselves available, reports RTE.
Officers from counties including Kildare, Laois, Wicklow, Wexford, and Waterford were mobilised and travelled to Citywest to assist in the operation.
Commissioner Kelly said that while Gardaà regularly accommodate peaceful protests, “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 gardaÃ,” he said, and he praised officers for their bravery, reports RTE.
Acting Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary stated the violence posed a real threat to public safety and could not be accepted.
He highlighted that such protests are often orchestrated online and bring together multiple groups, reports RTE.
“You had everything from some peaceful protesters, you had youths on horses, on scrambler motorcycles.
“You had violent dogs there who were there purely there to promote violent and incite fear”, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Cleary said that gardaà will be relentless in their pursuit of those involved.
“It was a violent riot driven by thugs intent on violence, and it wasn’t just an attack on gardaÃ, it was an attack on community safety, and we won’t tolerate that. So I want to reassure the public that we were able to contain that violent disorder last night, restore public order, and we will be prepared for any future incidents of violence that might erupt”, reports RTE.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin “strongly condemned” the violent disorder and praised the Gardaà for swiftly restoring order.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “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”, reports RTE.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan labelled the acts as unacceptable, carried out “by people who wish to sow dissent in our society”.
Following the outbreak of violence yesterday evening, the Garda Public Order Unit cordoned off roads in the Citywest district, reports RTE.
The demonstrators were eventually dispersed after two and a half hours, and peace was re-established.
Some protesters shouted abuse at officers, while individuals on horses and even a sulky attempted to break through Garda lines but were redirected by unarmed officers in standard uniforms, reports RTE.
The situation escalated further when groups of young men, many hooded and covering their faces, threw traffic cones, bricks, bottles, and other objects at GardaÃ.
Over 300 officers, including 125 in uniform, as well as members from public order and specialist units, were involved in managing the event, reports RTE.
Dublin Fire Brigade stated that it assisted multiple agencies in cleaning up after the unrest in Citywest.
No injuries were reported among fire brigade staff, reports RTE.
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