Violent Citywest Protests After Alleged Child Assault

Violent unrest erupted outside the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, County Dublin, after reports that a 10-year-old girl in state care was sexually assaulted; a man in his 20s was arrested, charged and appeared in court, with media reporting varying details about his asylum status. What began as a protest drew hundreds to thousands of people and escalated into attacks on Gardaí, including burning a police van, throwing bottles, bricks and fireworks, targeting a helicopter with lasers, and attempts to breach police lines with makeshift weapons and horse-drawn sulkies. Garda public order units, supported by mounted and dog units, used incapacitant spray and a water cannon to disperse crowds; several people were detained and at least one officer was injured. Senior officials including Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and the Taoiseach condemned the violence and warned of a forceful response, and authorities have appealed for witnesses. Officials are reviewing the handling of the asylum case amid wider concerns about social media-fueled anti-immigrant tensions in Ireland.