There were hundreds of protesters who demonstrated outside an Irish hotel housing asylum seekers on last October following the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl. They clashed with police outside the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, according to The Irish Times.
The newspaper reported that the suspect, who has appeared in court, arrived in Ireland six years ago and failed in his application for international protection in 2024.
The clashes come two years after anti-immigrant protests triggered a major riot in the center of Dublin following the stabbing of three children.
Thousands of people also took part in an anti-immigration rally in Dublin in April, The Irish Times reported. Hundreds of people were seen waving Irish flags through the city center.
Protesters were seen waving Irish flags, holding placards with anti-immigrant slogans, and throwing glass bottles and fireworks at police, according to videos posted on social media.
Police officers prevented the protesters from getting to the hotel and a water cannon was deployed at the scene, according to reports. A police helicopter was also seen overhead.
A large crowd remained in the area until late at night. Officers with shields and some on horseback faced a volley of stones and other objects as they moved protesters on.
It was the second night of protests outside the hotel, which is being used to accommodate people seeking international protection.
The protests followed an alleged sexual assault in the vicinity early morning of a 10-year-old girl, who had been missing from care.
Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said those involved in the violence would face justice, and the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the disorder.
A 26-year-old man has appeared at Cloverhill District Court charged with the sexual assault of the girl. He cannot be named due to Ireland's rules around sexual assault cases.
His solicitor informed the judge there would be no application for bail at this stage, and that an Arabic interpreter had been booked to assist him during the proceedings, The Irish Times reported.