The violence which broke out outside an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Dublin last night was orchestrated and preplanned online, the garda officer in charge of the policing operation has said.
Scene Commander Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty described it as "a public gathering organised by disparate groups on social media who stir up hatred and violence and encourage others to get involved".
Gardaí had intelligence that violence was being planned last night and issued a call out two hours before the protest commenced to trained public order officers from outside the Dublin region to report for duty if available.
Officers from Kildare, Laois, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford responded and travelled to Dublin to support the policing operation.
The protest began after a man had appeared in court charged with the sexual assault of a girl two days ago.
Watch: Cleanup operation in aftermath of Citywest protest
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the scenes of violence during a protest outside an accommodation centre for international protection applicants at Citywest as "thuggery".
Around 2,000 people attended the protest, but shortly afterwards hooded and masked men threw missiles and fireworks at gardaí, vandalised the Luas stop and a garda van was set on fire.
Five men, three aged in their 40s and two in their 50s, are due in court this morning charged with public order offences.
A woman was also released without charge after being arrested overnight.
One female garda sustained foot injuries during the disorder.
The Garda Public Order Unit in full riot gear, the Mounted Unit, the Dog Unit, Air Support and a water cannon were deployed.
Mr Kelly said while gardaí facilitate peaceful protest on daily basis, "this was obviously not a peaceful protest".
"The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against gardaí."
The Commissioner commended gardaí for their courage and said the process had now begun to bring those involved in the violence to justice.
More arrests expected, gardaí say
Acting Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary said the violent protests last night were unacceptable and public safely was threatened.
Mr Cleary said these types of protests are organised online and involve a number of different groups.
"You had everything from some peaceful protesters, you had youths on horses, on scrambler motorcycles. You had violent dogs there who were there purely there to promote violent and incite fear," he said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Cleary said more arrests are expected, adding that gardaí will be relentless in their pursuit of those involved.
Watch: Garda van set on fire during disorder in Citywest
"It was a violent riot driven by thugs intent on violence, and it wasn't just an attack on gardaí, it was an attack on community safety, and we won't tolerate that.
"So I want to reassure the public that we were able to contain that violent disorder last night, restore public order, and we will be prepared for any future incidents of violence that might erupt."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin "strongly condemned" the violent disorder and paid tribute to the courage of gardaí who restored order quickly.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "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."
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan described the violence as unacceptable "by people who wish to sow dissent in our society".
Calm restored after over two hours
The Garda Public Order blocked roads in the Citywest area, after violence broke out yesterday evening.
The protesters were dispersed after two-and-a-half hours and calm was restored.
Groups of demonstrators hurled abuse at gardaí. Some, including men on horses and a sulky, tried to breach garda lines but were guided away by unarmed, uniformed gardaí wearing soft caps.
The situation turned violent as groups of young men, some wearing hoods with their faces covered, hurled traffic cones, bricks, bottles and other missiles at gardaí.
Bins were also emptied and their contents used as missiles.
Gardaí say individuals were seen carrying tools and garden forks and damaging property in the area. The garda helicopter was targeted with lasers.
Fireworks and rockets were also fired at a line of gardaí across Citywest Drive.
Watch: Gardaí and protesters in a standoff at Citywest
Pepper spray was used against protesters who tried to breach garda lines, with gardaí saying they adopted a graduated response to the violence.
It is the first time An Garda Síochána deployed its own water cannon, which was purchased after the riots in Dublin city centre two years ago, but the large water spray guns were not used as the protesters dispersed in front of advancing gardaí.
The Luas and Dublin bus services to Saggart were suspended for a time.
Calm was restored by 10pm.
Over 300 gardaí, including 125 in uniform as well as the public order and specialist units, were deployed in the policing operation.
Detectives are gathering CCTV and bodycam footage and say this will be used to identify further violent demonstrators for potential prosecution.
Dublin Fire Brigade said it supported various agencies in the clean up following the civil disturbances at Citywest.
No injuries were reported to Dublin Fire Brigade personnel.
