Police helicopter targeted with lasers by 'mob intent on violence' in Dublin

A police officer has been injured after a night of violent protests outside an asylum hotel in Dublin - with six arrests made.

Bricks were thrown and fireworks were discharged outside the Citywest Hotel - with glass bottles used as missiles and a police van set on fire.

A Garda helicopter was also targeted with lasers, and the police service says some of those on the streets were seen carrying garden forks.

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.

"We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice."

It is the second night of demonstrations after an alleged sexual assault in its vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Some of the crowd threw stones and other missiles at police officers as they moved the protesters back - and water cannon was deployed at the scene.

A line of officers was preventing the protesters from approaching the hotel.

'No excuse for violence and thuggery'

Ireland's premier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, paid tribute to the officers who were on the frontline of the protests.

"There can be no justification for the vile abuse against them, or the attempted assaults and attacks on members of the force that will shock all right-thinking people," he said.

Deputy premier Simon Harris said there is "no excuse" for the violent "thuggery" seen outside the hotel.

"I condemn the violent attacks on members of An Garda Siochana [police] outside Citywest last night," he said.

"There is understandable shock and horror right across our country over the alleged incident that is now before the courts. The full facts must and will be established as people rightly expect.

"But there is no excuse for this type of violence and thuggery against the men and women who serve to protect us and victims of crime every day."

Perpetrators 'will be brought to justice'

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan said those involved in the violence will face justice.

"The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest must be condemned," he said.

"People threw missiles at Gardai, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire.

"This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the Gardai.

"Those involved will be brought to justice."

The minister said a man had been arrested and had appeared in court in relation to the alleged assault in the vicinity of the hotel.

He added: "While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area."

He said attacks on officers would "not be tolerated", adding: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not.

"There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed."

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The demonstration on Monday night passed without a significant incident.

It comes two years after anti-immigrant demonstrators triggered a major riot in the centre of Dublin after three young children were stabbed.

(c) Sky News 2025: Police helicopter targeted with lasers by 'mob intent on violence' in Dublin