Shortly after 8 o’clock last night, some two thousand people gathered outside the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, which is now an IPAS centre, and what started as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent as bottles and bricks were hurled at over 300 Gardai who had been deployed to police the gathering.
A garda van was set on fire outside the gates to Citywest, and Gardai say the level of violence exhibited was a serious attempt to intimidate and injure.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "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."
A statement from Gardaí described 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 the contents were 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 like garden forks and other tools, damaging walls in the locality to obtain missiles, and the Garda helicopter was targeted with lasers."
Riot police line out during violent breach of peace in Citywest.
The Luas and Dublin bus services to Saggart were suspended for a time.
The protests outside Citywest were apparently in response to an alleged incident of sexual assault.
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged attack and is due to appear in court in Dublin this morning.
Gardai made six arrests during last night's riots, and a senior investigating officer has been appointed to oversee the follow-up investigation.
A Garda van set alight on Garter Lane near Citywest.
A Garda statement added, "There was 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.
"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."
Gardai used pepper spray to try to control the crowds.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly added, "I utterly condemn the attacks on Gardaí who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe. Public order units, the dog unit, the 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."
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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