Garda Commissioner pledges ‘robust response’ to any further disorder near hotel

By Cillian Sherlock, Grainne Ni Aodha, Jonathan McCambridge and David Young, PA

There will be a “robust response” to any continued disorder outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers, the Garda Commissioner has said.

Five men have so far been charged with public order offences following violent clashes outside the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday night.

The men, two of whom are aged in their 50s and three in their 40s, were scheduled to appear before the city’s Criminal Courts of Justice on Wednesday.

The violence flared following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named due to rules that apply to all sexual assault cases, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

A total of six people were arrested amid the disturbances on Tuesday.

A woman in her 50s who was detained has since been released without charge pending a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Police were attacked with missiles and fireworks after violence flared outside the hotel.

A female Garda member injured during the violence has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A Garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is “determined” that further people will be “brought before the courts to face justice”.

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: “This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.”

The protest outside the hotel came after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be “no justification” for attacks on gardaí.

Members of the Garda public order unit were deployed during the disturbances.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans, and throwing missiles.

Garda cordons sustained attacks including physical violence, bricks thrown and fireworks discharged at gardai, as well as the burning of a Garda van.

There were also attempts to charge the Garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes.

Meanwhile, a Garda helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.

Commissioner Kelly said a further gathering outside Citywest has been proposed on social media.

He added: “My clear message to persons attending any public gatherings is: do not get involved in violent disorder.

“Reckless decisions in this regard may affect the course of your future.

“An Garda Síochána’s response to any public gathering will be fair and proportionate.

“However, I can promise that we will have a robust response again to any further disorder.”

During the earlier disturbances, a large crowd remained in the area until late in the night and public order officers with shields, and some on horseback, moved protesters back.

A line of gardaí prevented the protesters from getting to the hotel.

A number of those involved in the disturbances had their faces covered.

The Luas Red Line services between Belgard and Saggart were suspended ahead of the protest. Later, the glass at the Luas stop at Saggart was smashed.

Nearly 300 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty in response to the public disorder.

This included more than 125 uniformed gardaí, 150 members of the public order unit and a water cannon, which was not ultimately used. Mounted and dog units also attended, supported by members in the air support unit and the Garda regional control rooms.

The Garda said public order units were deployed in full protective equipment and utilised pepper spray to “repel sustained physical attacks”.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to probe the incident.

It was the second night in a row a protest has been held outside the hotel, which is being used as state accommodation for people seeking international protection.

Monday night’s demonstration passed without significant incident.

Mr Martin said he had been briefed on the violence.

“I pay tribute to the frontline gardai who acted courageously and quickly to restore order,” he said.

“The Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner have briefed me on the operation, and I thank everyone for their work.

“An Garda Síochána protect us all and have a proud tradition of service to the Irish people.

“There can be no justification for the vile abuse against them, or the attempted assaults and attacks on members of the force that will shock all right-thinking people.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris said there was “no excuse” for the violent “thuggery” witnessed outside the hotel.

“I condemn the violent attacks on members of An Garda Síochána outside Citywest last night,” said the Tánaiste.

“There is understandable shock and horror right across our country over the alleged incident that is now before the courts. The full facts must and will be established as people rightly expect.

“But there is no excuse for this type of violence and thuggery against the men and women who serve to protect us and victims of crime every day.”

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said those involved in the violence will be brought to justice.

“People threw missiles at gardaí, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire,” he said.

“This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the gardaí.

“Those involved will be brought to justice.”

The minister highlighted that a man had been arrested and appeared in court in relation to the alleged sexual assault on Monday.

He added: “While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.

“Unfortunately, the weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected.

“The gardaí are prepared for this, but attacking gardai and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe.”

He added: “Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not.

“There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed.”