City West, Dublin – Tuesday after 8pm, a night-time video filmed by Don Róiste shows a Garda van engulfed in flames as a crowd gathers around, many recording the scene on their phones.

Flames shoot through the van’s windows, sending thick smoke into the night sky. The fire casts a harsh light over the crowd as the situation grows increasingly chaotic. Voices in the footage can be heard shouting, “JJ go on, Snuggie, why don’t you let me get this?” and “Is it on fire,” adding to the sense of panic as the blaze intensifies.

The violent episode occurred during protests linked to an alleged sexual assault near the Citywest Hotel, which functions as an International Protection Accommodation Service centre housing asylum seekers.

Initially peaceful on Monday night, the demonstrations turned violent on Tuesday, drawing about 2,000 people. Hooded and masked individuals threw missiles and fireworks at Gardaí, vandalized a Luas stop, and set the Garda van alight.

The Garda Commissioner condemned the actions as “thuggery,” saying the mob was intent on violence against police. Six arrests were made following the initial outbreak, prompting the deployment of the Garda Public Order Unit, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, Air Support, and water cannon.

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