Police van set on fire at Citywest migrant hotel protest in Dublin

A police van has been set on fire during a protest outside a migrant holding centre in Citywest, Dublin.

Up to 2,000 protesters chanted ‘get them out’ as they waved Irish flags and threw barriers at police.

An individual, who appears to be a youth, is hitting a police van with a hammer, smashing the windscreen into pieces.

Police lines are holding the protesters back from getting into the centre being used as accommodation for people seeking international protection.

Many had their hoods up and faces covered were angry at an alleged rape in the area in the early hours of Monday.

Officers on horseback tried to move the crowd back as they threw stones and other missiles at the gardai.

More units have been sent to the scene as police are now in full riot gear as they marchdown Garter Lane followed by the Garda Water Cannon.

It is the first 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 at the police.

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.’