Protesters let off pink smoke during asylum demonstration at Citywest

The area saw disorder last week after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the area.
Protesters let off pink smoke during asylum demonstration at Citywest

By Rebecca Black, PA

A peaceful demonstration has taken place at a hotel housing asylum seekers in south-west Dublin.

People gathered at Citywest Hotel in Saggart, holding banners in the colours of the Irish flag which read “she was 10”, and let off pink smoke.

The area saw disorder last week after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the area.

People protest outside the Citywest Hotel
People protest outside the Citywest Hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions, appeared in court last Tuesday charged over the incident.

Protests were held at the hotel for several evenings, with disorder breaking out on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Protesters have carried Irish flags, chanted anti-immigration slogans, and thrown missiles.

On Monday evening, there were peaceful scenes from 5pm in a pre-arranged women and children’s protest.

Gardaí maintained a presence, and barriers had been erected.

The protest finished with the singing of Crazy World by Aslan.

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