Arrests after violent protest outside Dublin migrant hotel

BBC:

Six people have been arrested after Irish police were attacked with bricks, fireworks and glass bottles at a protest outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin.

A police vehicle was also set on fire at the Citywest Hotel, in Saggart, on Tuesday evening. A line of riot police prevented the protesters getting to the hotel.

Gardaí (Irish police) said protesters attempted to breach the police cordon by charging the line with horse-drawn sulkies (carts). Some carried garden forks and tools, while others damaged walls to get missiles.

The police helicopter was targeted with lasers, and one officer received medical attention for a foot injury.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: “The actions can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against gardaí.

“I utterly condemn the attacks on gardaí who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe.”

He said about 300 officers were on duty, with about half from the public order unit. A water cannon was deployed, as well as officers on horseback and a dog unit.

Broadcaster RTÉ reported that several thousand people had gathered near the hotel.