A police van has been set on fire during a protest outside a migrant holding centre in Citywest, Dublin.
As much as 2,000 protesters chanted ‘get them out’ as they waved Irish flags and threw barriers at Garda on Tuesday night.
One youth was pictured hitting the police van with a hammer, smashing the windscreen into pieces.
Police lines are holding the protesters back from moving into the centre getting used as accommodation for people in search of international protection.
Many had their hoods up and faces covered and were indignant at an alleged rape in the realm within the early hours of Monday.
Officers on horseback tried to maneuver the group back as they threw stones and other missiles on the gardai.
It’s the primary time Garda have deployed its own water cannon which was purchased after the riots in Dublin city centre two years ago.
There are currently no reports of arrests or injuries.
Earlier tonight, missiles and fireworks were thrown on the police.
Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said there may be ‘no excuse’ for violent scenes in Dublin.
He said: ‘Unfortunately, the weaponising of a criminal offense by individuals who want to sow dissent in our society isn’t unexpected.
‘The gardai are prepared for this, but attacking gardai and property isn’t a solution, and won’t help to make anyone feel secure.
‘It is evident to me from talking to colleagues throughout the day and this evening that this violence doesn’t reflect the people of Saggart.
‘They will not be the people participating on this criminality, but relatively the people sitting at home in fear of it.
‘Attacks on gardai is not going to be tolerated. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence isn’t.
‘There isn’t a excuse for the scenes we’ve got witnessed tonight.’
Quite a few those gathered stepped away from the realm because the police moved towards them after 9.30pm.
Those left congregated engaged in a standoff with officers. Police stood in front of the Garda water cannon truck.
Members of the Public Order Unit, armed with shields, step by step ran towards the group that was left, pushing them further down the road away from the migrant holding center.
Those that refused to maneuver were pepper-sprayed.
The protest significantly died down after 9:30pm, with those left slowly moved back by officers.
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