Gardaí attacked with fireworks as van set on fire amid scenes of ‘sustained violence and thuggery’ at Citywest hotel
Almost 300 gardaí attend the sceneGardaí use pepper spray as fireworks and bottles are hurled at themGardaí in riot gear push protesters back as the garda helicopter is deployedLuas services from Saggart to Belgard are suspendedJustice Minister vows ‘forceful response from gardaí’
A garda vehicle was also set on fire as a large crowd gathered at the Citywest Hotel.
The gatherings outside the hotel come after an alleged sexual assault in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday.
A 26-year-old man appeared in court yesterday in relation to the alleged incident.
A garda vehicle was set alight during the unrest this evening.
Members of the garda’s public order unit were deployed last night as chanting protesters displaying Irish flags and threw stones and other missiles at gardaí.
The large crowd remained in the area after 9pm and public order officers with shields, and some on horseback, moved protesters back.
A line of gardaí was preventing the protesters getting to the hotel.
A number of those involved in the disturbances had their faces covered.
Gardaí surrounded by crowds at the Citywest. Photo: Collins.
The garda helicopter was hovering overhead and a water cannon was deployed to the scene.
The Luas Red Line services between Belgard and Saggart were suspended ahead of the protest. Later, glass at the Luas stop at Saggart was smashed.
Fireworks and other objects were thrown at gardaí as the crowd swelled in numbers.
There were chants of “Get them out” in the crowd, and many of those attending the protest were holding Tricolours.
Garda van on fire outside Citywest Hotel, Saggart tonight (Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
At around 7.30pm, the crowd on the driveway were pushed back towards Garter Lane. Pepper spray was used by gardaí to clear the crowd and push them back towards the road.
A group of men on horseback was seen attempting to breach the barrier set up by gardaí at the top of the driveway.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said those involved in the violence will be brought to justice.
“The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest tonight must be condemned,” he said.
“People threw missiles at gardaí, threw fireworks at them and set a garda vehicle on fire.
“This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the gardaí. Those involved will be brought to justice.”
Garda van on fire outside Citywest Hotel, Saggart tonight which is used by the State as accommodation for international protection applicants.Picture Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.
The minister said a man had been arrested and appeared in court in relation to the alleged assault.
He added: “While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.
“Unfortunately, the weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected.
“The gardaí are prepared for this, but attacking gardaí and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe. It is clear to me from talking to colleagues during the day and this evening that this violence does not reflect the people of Saggart.
“They are not the people participating in this criminality, but rather the people sitting at home in fear of it.”
Mr O’Callaghan said attacks on gardaí will “not be tolerated”.
A Garda van set alight tonight on Garter Lane near Citywest Hotel and IPAS Centre ,in the wake of an alleged sexual assault on a 10 year old girl yesterday …..Picture Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.
He added: “Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not. There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed tonight.”
Earlier, the minister had insisted there was no further threat to the local community following the alleged assault and said gardaí had assured him there is “no correlation” between the location of International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centres and crime levels in a community,
“I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area. Also, An Garda Síochána has informed me that there is no correlation between the location of Ipas centres and crime levels in a community,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys also condemned the scenes in the final TV debate of the election campaign last night.
“Can I just say that what we’re seeing unfolding on our television screens this evening is absolutely awful,” she told RTÉ’s Prime Time. “And we’re seeing members of An Garda Síochána have been attacked with stones and with such things, and can I just say that if anybody knows anybody at those riots tonight, please tell them to go home.”
