Irish police arrest six after violent anti-immigrant protest in Dublin

Six people were arrested in Dublin after an anti-immigration protest outside a hotel accommodating people seeking asylum in Ireland turned violent late Tuesday night, Euronews reported.

The unrest began near the CityWest Hotel in the village of Saggart, southwest of Dublin. It quickly escalated after reports of a 10-year-old local girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a 26-year-old asylum seeker. Authorities have charged him with committing the crime.

Meanwhile, hundreds gathered at the scene carrying Irish flags and signs with anti-immigration messages and shouting at police officers. As a result, the peaceful protest rapidly turned violent as people began throwing bottles, bricks and even firing fireworks at police, setting a police car on fire.

Prime Minister Micheál Martin condemned the violence, praising police officers for acting «courageously and quickly to restore order.» He also acknowledged public concern over the assault, calling it a failure in the state’s duty to protect the child.

This incident followed a series of anti-migrant protests across the U.K., culminating in a large march in central London organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in mid-September.