Gardaí have said they will remain overnight at the site known as Trudder House or River Lodge in Co Wicklow following the serious public disorder last night.
There is currently a significant garda presence in Newtownmountkennedy and some gardaí will remain at the site there throughout the night.
They also said a "number of resources" have been deployed to the Wicklow garda division today following the disturbances at the site last night.
Earlier a group of around 20 protesters returned to the site known as Trudder House or River Lodge in Co Wicklow with a garda barrier having been placed on the road leading up to the site.
It follows disturbances at the site last night, with gardaí saying they came under attack and the Public Order Unit deployed shields and incapacitant spray during a protest.
Locals have accused gardaí of using unnecessary force and aggressive tactics.
This afternoon one woman there said they are unhappy that the road, and access to the nearby GAA pitch, have been blocked.
She said a march is planned through the town over the weekend and that the protests will continue.
Three men and a woman have appeared at Bray District Court charged with public order offences at the site, which has been earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has condemned the attacks on gardaí, while Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described last night's scenes as "unacceptable" in terms of a protest.
"A number of trespassers were also identified on and removed from the site," gardaí said in a statement last night.
Gardaí said "a number of trespassers were also identified on and removed from the site".
It added that uniform gardaí were "subject of both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown this evening".
Fires were lit at the scene, the statement said, and gardaí also recovered an axe.
Gardaí said that as the situation intensified, they used force to defend themselves "as part of an escalated response to the situation", adding that the Public Order Unit was deployed.
"The use of force included the use of incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields," gardaí said.
Gardaí have said that it was not aware of anyone being injured in the incident and that fires were lit at the scene.
Gardaí maintained a presence at the site following the protest, but say there were no further incidents.
In the statement, An Garda Síochána said that it "respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; this right does not extend to breaches of Criminal Law, the interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities, or to attack members of An Garda Síochána.
"Any garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort."
They said they are also aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread about the incident.
But local protesters also released a statement accusing gardaí of using unnecessary force and intimidating and aggressive tactics against what they say was a legitimate and peaceful protest.
Videos online appear to show material being burned at the entrance to the site.
Earlier, videos also appeared to show some scuffles between gardaí and protesters.
There have been ongoing protests in the area since construction work began last month on the former HSE site, where the Department of Integration said it was considering locating 20 eight-person tents for international protection applicants.
Earlier this month, a small fire was lit on the site which gardaí confirmed they were investigating.
Locals say they object to the site being used to accommodate asylum seekers, saying the site is unsuitable and that the resources of the village are already overstretched.
Additional reporting: Samantha Libreri, Paul Reynolds
