Dublin has been rocked by violent protests after the alleged sexual assault of a ten year old girl near a hotel housing asylum seekers.The unrest started outside the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, which is being used as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. What began as a protest quickly turned chaotic as crowds gathered for a second consecutive night, throwing missiles, bottles and fireworks at police officers.

A Garda van was set on fire as officers tried to control the situation. Footage shared online showed the vehicle engulfed in flames while chants and shouts echoed through the crowd.

According to reports, more than 300 police officers were deployed, including public order units and helicopter support. Witnesses say the crowd swelled to almost 2,000 people, many waving Irish flags and holding anti-immigrant signs.

Police confirmed that at least six people were arrested following the violence. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the events as “mob thuggery,” saying some of the actions appeared planned.

“This was not a spontaneous protest,” he said. “What we saw was organised violence and intimidation against officers who were simply doing their job.”

The violence came after a 26 year old man was charged in connection with the alleged assault of the child. The case sparked outrage across social media and within local communities, but authorities have warned against linking the crime to wider groups or using it to justify attacks.

Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin condemned the riots, saying there was “no excuse” for attacking police or targeting asylum seekers.

“We cannot allow violence and hate to take over our communities,” he said. “There is no justification for what we saw in Dublin. The Gardaí must be respected, and our justice system must be allowed to do its work.”

Videos circulating online showed protesters using laser beams to target police helicopters, while others hurled debris at officers in riot gear. Local businesses were forced to shut early as tensions grew through the night.

One Dublin resident told local media that the area felt like “a war zone.”

“We could hear the shouting from down the street,” she said. “The police vans were on fire and there were fireworks everywhere. It was frightening. You don’t expect that kind of thing here.”

Others on social media expressed frustration, saying the violence has overshadowed the real issue.

“It’s tragic what happened to that little girl,” one user wrote. “But turning that pain into hate against innocent people isn’t justice.”

Another added:

“People are angry and scared, but burning cars and attacking police won’t fix anything.”

The Citywest Hotel, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers, has been at the centre of tension before, with locals raising concerns about overcrowding and lack of consultation. However, the scale of the latest unrest has left authorities worried about a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment across Ireland.

Officials say they are now reviewing security around asylum centres nationwide as they brace for potential copycat protests.

Despite the chaos, Gardaí have reassured residents that order has been restored, but investigations are ongoing to identify more suspects involved in the violence.

The scenes from Dublin have since gone viral, with many comparing them to far-right demonstrations seen elsewhere in Europe. Whether this was an isolated outburst or a warning of deeper divisions to come, one thing is clear , Ireland’s ongoing immigration debate has reached a boiling point.