DUBLIN, Ireland: Anti-immigrant protesters set fire to a police vehicle and attacked officers near a building housing asylum seekers in Dublin on October 21, Ireland's justice minister said. The violence broke out a day after a man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a young girl nearby.

The unrest happened two years after a similar anti-immigrant protest led to major riots in central Dublin following the stabbing of three children.

According to The Irish Times, more than 500 people joined the latest protest outside a building in West Dublin. Videos shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed crowds waving Irish flags and holding anti-immigrant signs, while some threw bottles and fireworks at police.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan condemned the violence, saying, "The weaponizing of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected. This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response."

Police said a man in his 20s had been charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in Saggart, Dublin, early on October 20. The 26-year-old suspect appeared briefly before Blanchardstown District Court, where he was charged under Ireland's sexual assault laws.

During his arrest, he reportedly told police, "I have nothing to say." The court granted him legal aid and an Arabic interpreter, but no bail application was made.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told parliament that reports indicated the suspect had been issued a deportation order in March. Minister O'Callaghan said he had requested a full review of how the asylum application in the case was handled.

Police have not commented further on the investigation.

Ireland has no far-right members in parliament, but anti-immigrant sentiment has been growing in recent years, with more frequent rallies calling for stricter immigration policies.