Gardaí have begun a criminal investigation after violence broke out at a large protest outside an accommodation centre for international protection applicants at Citywest in Co Dublin.
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.
The Luas and Dublin bus services to Saggart were suspended for a time.
The Garda Public Order Unit in full riot gear, the Mounted Unit, the Dog Unit, Air Support and water cannon were deployed.
The protesters were dispersed after two-and-a-half hours and calm was restored.
One female garda sustained foot injuries.
Six people were arrested for public order offences.
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.
Watch: Gardaí and protesters in a standoff at Citywest
Fireworks and rockets were also fired at a line of gardaí across Citywest Drive.
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.
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.
'Violence and thuggery'
Taoiseach Micheál Martin "strongly condemned" the violent disorder and paid tribute to the courage of the 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 and "weaponising.. by people who wish to sow dissent in our society".
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the gardaí will always facilitate peaceful protest but described what happened at Citywest as "thuggery" and said there was a mob there who were intent on violence against the gardaí.
He also commended the gardaí for their courage and said the process had now begun to bring those involved in the violence to justice.
Speaking on the RTÉ Prime Time Presidential Election debate, Independent candidate Catherine Connolly said the scenes in Citywest were "deeply disturbing".
She said: "It's very upsetting that we have hundreds of people gathered and the Public Order unit called from the gardaí."
Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys said what happened in Citywest was "awful" and she called on people involved to "go home".
