Mass Riots Erupt in Dublin After Asylum Seeker Allegedly Rapes Child

Mass protests erupted in Dublin, Ireland, after a 10-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a migrant housed at the Citywest Hotel, a facility for asylum seekers. The demonstrations turned violent over two consecutive nights, with protesters throwing fireworks, bricks, and other objects at police, setting a Garda van on fire, and prompting authorities to deploy pepper spray and a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Around 2,000 people joined the protests, some armed with garden pitchforks, leading to injuries among police and six arrests. The suspect, a 26-year-old man described as a rejected asylum seeker from Africa, was detained and charged with sexual assault; however, officials emphasized the need to establish facts and urged restraint. Irish leaders condemned the violence but acknowledged the state's duty to protect children and criticized the failure to do so in this case. Reporting teams highlighted the tense atmosphere and the community's demand for justice and safety amid ongoing concerns about migrant-related issues in Ireland.