A police van was set ablaze during a fiery protest outside a migrant holding centre in Citywest, Dublin, as up to 2,000 demonstrators demanded: ‘Get them out!’
Violence Erupts at Migrant Centre
Masked protesters waved Irish flags and hurled barriers at Gardaí in a chaotic scene. Footage shows a young protester smashing the police van’s windscreen with a hammer before the vehicle was set on fire.
Police lines fiercely held the crowd back from storming the centre, which is used to accommodate people seeking international protection.
Riot Police and Water Cannon Deployed
Many protesters, hooded and with faces covered, were enraged over an alleged rape in the area earlier that day. Officers on horseback struggled to push back stone-throwing crowds.
Backup units arrived in full riot gear, marching down Garter Lane behind the Garda Water Cannon — deployed for the first time since its purchase following Dublin riots two years ago.
Earlier, missiles and fireworks were also launched at police, escalating tensions.
Justice Minister Condemns Violence
“There is no excuse for violent scenes in Dublin,” said Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan. “The weaponising of a crime to sow dissent is not unexpected. Attacking Gardaí and property is not an answer. It won’t make anyone safe.”
O’Callaghan praised peaceful protest as a democratic right but stressed that the violence does not represent the people of Saggart — rather, those living in fear of it.
So far, no arrests or injuries have been reported amid the unrest.
What’s Next?
Gardaí remain on high alert in Citywest as the situation continues to simmer. The deployment of the Water Cannon marks a new chapter in how Dublin handles civil disorder, signalling authorities are ready to act decisively to restore order.
