WATCH: Chaotic Scenes In Citywest As Garda Van Set On Fire During Protest

Some protestors have aimed fireworks in the direction of riot police.

Hundreds of people have turned out a protest in Citywest.

                                   Image via X

It follows the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl.

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— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

A Garda van has been set on fire, while protestors can be seen aiming fireworks at riot police.

Public Order Unit gardai now on horses, have never seen that before in Ireland.
Immediately gardai made a move just after 9pm they pushed the crowd right back from Citywest IPAS centre - the pepper spray was very, very strong and sent the crowd running pic.twitter.com/Pic9L0SeUS

— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

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— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

Crowds can be heard chanting "get them out", with Gardai deploying pepper spray to disperse crowds.

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— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

There’s now a massive Garda presence in the area, with the Garda helicopter overhead.

Some people can also be seen throwing glass objects at members of the Public Order Unit.

Tweets by Journalist Conor Lally also show how a water tanker has been deployed, the first time it has been used since it was purchased two years ago.

Big push by gardai at Citywest just before 9pm, backed by water cannon, first tine it has appeared on streets since it was purchased two years ago pic.twitter.com/Jl6fgWGFYg

— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

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— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

Garda van up in flames outside the IPAS centre at Citywest. Cowd of well over 500 present. Public Order Unit gardai charged a big group back from centre entrance, pepper spray deployed pic.twitter.com/yCBEZqWc29

— Conor Lally (@conormlally) October 21, 2025

Luas services on the red line are also suspended this evening between Belgard and Saggart.

In a post on social media Luas said that there are currently no Red Line services operating between Belgard and Saggart due to a protest in the area.

Please be advised that there are currently no Red Line services operating between Belgard and Saggart, following Garda directive. Services will operate between Tallaght / Belgard and Connolly only. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. @TFIupdates

— Luas (@Luas) October 21, 2025

The Luas will operate between Tallaght/Belgard and Connolly only.

Some businesses also closed early in anticipation of the protest.

The protest comes as Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan says there is no on-going threat to public safety in Saggart and no correlation between crime levels - and the presence of asylum seeker accommodation centres.

Justice Minister @OCallaghanJim condemns tonight’s violence at #citywest in Dublin @rtenews pic.twitter.com/VOyeFwrRF6

— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) October 21, 2025

In a statement tonight, the Minister says he's been briefed on recent events in the area and has asked for a detailed account of the management of the asylum application process in the case.

The Tánaiste has also condemned violent attacks on Gardaí outside Citywest in Dublin tonight.

Simon Harris says there's understandable shock and horror right across the country over the alleged incident that's now before the courts, but says there's no excuse for this type of "thuggery" against the men and women who serve and protect us every day.

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— Jim O'Callaghan TD (@OCallaghanJim) October 21, 2025