Dublin/Ireland: In the Irish capital of Dublin, anti-immigrant riots continued for the second consecutive night after they broke out on Tuesday. Wednesday night, violent incidents left two police officers wounded and hospitalised. Irish national police An Garda Siochana arrested 24 people over the violent incidents, according to a new report by The Telegraph.
The Telegraph says that there is footage circulating online showing scenes of rioters confronting police and setting a police van on fire. The rioters reportedly used stones, bricks and fireworks against police, it is learned.
The violence reportedly started outside an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in suburban west Dublin. It started after a peaceful demonstration protesting the alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the area on Monday. Police had arrested a 22-year-old man over the crime, where the victim was under the care of the Irish Child and Family Agency, Tusla.
The man, who allegedly committed the grievous crime in the early hours of Monday, has been charged under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 and Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
Regarding the violence, it was largely carried out by young adult men and teenagers, the Garda informed. Out of the 24 arrested, 17 were charged with public order offences. Police also confirmed that the violence was premeditated and coordinated online.
The violence happened outside a hotel complex which houses families, including school children, under the Irish government’s international protection programme for asylum seekers. The area has been sealed off since Wednesday and is under the guard of a heavy police presence.