DUBLIN, Ireland: The protests outside the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on October 23 passed off peacefully, with no significant incidents reported during the public gathering.
The demonstration, which ran from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., was the fourth consecutive night of protests near the asylum seeker accommodation site.
However, Gardaí made two separate arrests for public order offenses in the nearby Saggart area.
A man was arrested shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Garters Lane, Saggart, Co. Dublin, and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on the morning of October 24. Earlier, another man was arrested at the same location around 3:30 p.m. for similar offenses and will also appear in court.
The latest arrests come after two nights of violent disorder earlier in the week, when protesters carried Irish flags, shouted anti-immigration slogans, and threw objects at Gardaí.
Ireland's Minister for Justice had cautioned that any further violence around asylum seeker accommodation in Dublin would face a "very forceful response."
The statement came after two nights of riots near the Citywest Hotel, which is being used to house asylum seekers. The Gardaí have appealed especially to young men to avoid taking part in public disorder.
The unrest began after the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near the hotel in the early hours of October 20. A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident, but cannot be named due to legal restrictions.
Since then, violent clashes have led to four police officers being injured, over 30 arrests, and significant vandalism and arson in the area.
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said on October 23, "If people decide to go there and create violence, they will be met with a very forceful response from An Garda Síochána and our criminal justice system."
He added that while people have every right to protest or oppose government policy, "they are not entitled to use violence, break the law, or attack gardaí who are there to protect the public."
Police said public disorder is not "fun and games" and warned it could have long-term consequences for those involved. Gardaí shared footage on social media showing violent confrontations and confirmed that another protest was planned, but that passed off peacefully.
