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Irish police forces confronted a large number of demonstrators outside a capital city facility used to house asylum seekers following reports of a sexual assault on a young girl.

Violent Clashes and Property Damage

Protesters set fire to a officer car and threw pyrotechnics and various objects at officers outside the southwest Dublin facility on Tuesday night.

Estimates suggest the protesters – some of whom waved Irish flags and carried anti-immigrant placards – numbered up to 2,000 people.

Context of the Incident

These events flared a following a individual was charged in connection with an reported attack. Local media stated that the suspect was a 26-year-old asylum seeker and that the alleged victim was a young child who was assaulted at or near the Citywest facility, located in the southwest Dublin region.

While a limited demonstration near the facility passed peacefully on Monday, on Tuesday night a significantly bigger crowd hurled stones and road markers. Additionally, a police van was torched.

Law Enforcement Action

Officers, including those equipped with protective gear, head protection and mounted units, dispersed the demonstrators.

A senior government official denounced the violence. “Regrettably, the exploitation of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our community is not surprising,” the official said in a declaration.

The statement continued: “Such behavior cannot be tolerated and will lead to a strong reaction from the gardaí. Those involved will be brought to justice. Attacks on officers will not be accepted. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our society. Aggression is not.”

Broader Context

Protests against immigrants and refugees have become common in the past few years, with protesters accusing the newcomers of exacerbating a accommodation crisis and driving violent crime.

Far-right activists have used online platforms and rallies to spread a narrative that “the country has reached capacity.”

Similar rioting erupted in central Dublin in late 2023 after a individual attacked multiple minors outside a primary school. In the summer, crowds targeted foreigners in Ballymena following an alleged sexual assault. Protests outside refugee hotels and centers also occurred across England this summer.

Additional Details

Previously that day, the national child and family agency confirmed that the alleged victim of this week's incident had been in state care at the moment and that she had “absconded” during a trip to the downtown area.

Addressing lawmakers, the prime minister acknowledged “public worry, anger and anxiety of many people” over the alleged assault. “Clearly, there has been shortcomings here in terms of the state's obligation to protect this child.”