A police van has been set alight and bottles have been thrown at journalists as protesters gathered outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin.
It is the second night of demonstrations outside the hotel in the capital after an alleged sexual assault in its vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.
A large crowd has gathered in the area and members of the Garda’s public order unit have been deployed.
Footage shows several of the protesters displaying Irish flags.
The hotel being used as state accommodation for people seeking international protection.
Monday night’s demonstration passed without significant incident
DublinLive reports there are around 500 people gathered at the hotel this evening.
The Luas red line is not running between Belgard and Saggart due to the protest.
A Garda van was set alight
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Gardai officers block protesters outside the hotel
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Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said there is “no excuse” for violent scenes in Dublin.
He said: "Unfortunately, the weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. The gardai are prepared for this, but attacking gardai and property is not an answer, and won’t help to make anyone feel safe.
"It is clear to me from talking to colleagues during the day and this evening that this violence does not reflect the people of Saggart. They are not the people participating in this criminality, but rather the people sitting at home in fear of it.
"Attacks on gardai will not be tolerated. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not. There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed tonight."
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The police van was set alight
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Protesters wielding traffic cones and implements ran towards the blockade as a police helicopter flew overhead.
They were pushed back, and more fireworks and missiles were thrown.
At 9pm, another unit of gardaí arrived carrying riot shields to push the crowd north along Garter Lane and away from the entrance to the hotel.
The Irish Times reports two bins of glass bottles and some bricks were acquired by protesters, with the contents launched at gardaí.
Disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel used to house asylum seekers
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Onlookers watch a police vehicle burning in Dublin
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A riot shield was wrestled from a member of the gardaí.
Officers have been spraying those that charge towards them with tear gas or pepper spray, resulting in fewer attempts to break through their barrier.
A statement from An Garda Siochana said: "This evening, members of An Garda Síochána on duty at a public gathering at Citywest were subjected to sustained levels of violence.
"This was not peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure.
"During the evening there were sustained attacks on Garda Cordons, including physical violence, bricks thrown and fireworks discharged at Garda members and the arson of a Garda van.
"Bins with hundreds of used glass bottles in the area were emptied and contents used as missiles.
"Attempts to breach the Garda cordon were also made by charging the line with horse drawn sulkies.
"Individuals were observed carrying implements such as garden forks and tools and damaging walls in the locality to obtain missiles.
"The Garda helicopter was targeted with lasers.
"One member of An Garda Síochána has received medical attention for a foot injury. 6 persons have been arrested, primarily for Public Order Offences.
"An Garda Síochána had a policing operation in place for this public gathering organised by disparate groups on social media, who stir up hatred and violence and encourage and entice others to get involved.
"Over the course of the evening, nearly 300 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty, including over 125 uniform members, 150 Public Order members, Water Cannon, Mounted Unit and Dog Unit supported by members in Air Support Unit and Regional Control rooms.
"Units across the Dublin Region were supported by colleagues from the Garda Eastern Region.
"An Garda Síochána Public Order Incident Command policy was implemented.
"Garda Public Order Units were deployed in full protective equipment and utilised Incapacitant spray to repel sustained physical attacks on Garda Lines.
"An investigation has been commenced and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed."
Speaking about tonight’s violent disorder Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "An Garda Siochana facilitate peaceful protest on daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardaí.
"I utterly condemn the attacks on Gardaí who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe. Public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support and the water cannon were deployed along with front-line colleagues, which brought the situation to a conclusion.
"We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice."
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