Waterford Gardaí deployed at Citywest

Members of An Garda Siochana from Waterford have travelled to Dublin to support the policing operations at Citywest.

Since Monday evening, protests have taken place outside the hotel which is housing asylum seekers.

Over 300 Gardaí were involved in policing last night's protests.

Galway Senator Seán Kyne said that "a call had issued to a number of divisions outside Dublin, and members of the force from Kildare, Laois and Waterford responded and travelled to Dublin to support the policing operations."

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said that An Garda Siochana escalated their capacity in response to mounting violence, threats and attacks on personnel. 

Public Order Units with riot shields were supported by water canon, mounted units and dog units.

“I truly commend all members of An Garda Siochana on duty yesterday for their professionalism and courage and I have been absolutely encouraged by the continuing public support we have received" Kelly said.

Taoiseach Michael Martin said in a statement that “frontline gardaí acted courageously and quickly to restore order.” 

“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" he said.

The unrest follows the alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.