DUBLIN, Ireland: Stones and fireworks were thrown at police in Dublin for a second night in a row, as hundreds of protesters gathered near the entrance of the Hotel Citywest in Saggart.
It was the third night of protests at the hotel, following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl nearby in the early hours of October 20. A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with the case but cannot be named under Irish law.
Police made several arrests during the unrest and said they would take a "strong response" if the violence continued.
Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on October 22, hundreds of protesters faced off with about 40 uniformed gardaí (police officers). When some officers were hit with stones, fireworks, and other debris, they were replaced by the Public Order Unit, whose members wore extra protective gear and carried plastic shields.
Protesters continued to throw glass bottles, stones, wooden planks, and flares at police. There was also damage near the Saggart Luas tram stop, close to where the crowd was gathered.
Public order officers eventually pushed protesters farther from the hotel, using shields to advance. A mounted unit with horses, a dog unit, and a police helicopter were also at the scene. At least one officer was affected by pepper spray.
Protesters tried to block police vehicles with steel barriers, and some used horse-drawn carts and scrambler bikes to charge at the police line. A laser was pointed at the helicopter flying overhead.
On the night of October 20, the first protest passed without serious incidents, but violence broke out the following evening. A female officer was injured and later released from the hospital after treatment for a foot injury. A police car was set on fire earlier in the week.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene after the clashes, said he is determined that those involved will face justice. "This was not a peaceful protest," he said. "It was violence aimed at damaging the Citywest building and intimidating people inside."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the violence, saying there was "no justification" for attacks on police. Protesters had displayed Irish flags, shouted anti-immigration slogans, and thrown objects at officers throughout the night.
