Five men have been charged with offences connected to violent disturbances outside an accommodation centre for International Protection applicants in Dublin.
The main entrance to the Citywest site is closed and gardaí are carrying out a forensic examination of the scene.
They have removed missiles and weapons in evidence bags as detectives examine CCTV and bodycam footage.
Around 2,000 people attended a protest in the area last night, but shortly afterwards, hooded and masked men threw missiles and fireworks at gardaí, vandalised a Luas stop and a garda van was set on fire.
Watch: Garda conduct forensic examination of Citywest scene
One female garda was injured during the violence and six people were arrested.
Five men, aged in their 40s and 50s, have appeared in court charged with public order, breach of the peace and weapons offences.
A woman was released without charge pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gardaí said there will be further arrests and prosecutions after what the force's Commissioner Justin Kelly described as "thuggery" from "a mob intent on violence".
A number of homes in the area were left without power after meter boxes were damaged when bricks were removed to be used as missiles.
Local residents, who did not wish to be identified, condemned the violence and said they were afraid.
The protest began after a man appeared in court charged with the sexual assault of a girl two days ago.
Tusla said that it has put additional family support and counselling in place and opened a helpline for people in the area with child protection concerns.
The number is 1800 805 665 and the helpline is open from between 10am and 5pm from Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Watch: Clean up in aftermath of Citywest protest
The violence was orchestrated and preplanned online, according to the officer in charge of the policing operation.
Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty described the event 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 began to trained public order members from outside the Dublin region to report for duty if available.
Officers from Kildare, Laois, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford responded and travelled to Citywest to support the operation.
Commissioner Kelly said while gardaí facilitate peaceful action 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," he said, and commended gardaí for their courage.
In a statement, Commissioner Kelly added that a criminal investigation into all the circumstances of this violent disorder is underway under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
"I am determined that further persons will be identified and brought before the courts to face justice.
"This violent disorder impacted the local community, business and public transport in the Saggart area directly affecting local residents. This is totally unacceptable."
Acting Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary said the violence was unacceptable and public safely was threatened.
He said these types of demonstrations 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."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Cleary said that gardaí will be relentless in their pursuit of those involved.
"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."
Watch: Garda van set on fire during disorder in Citywest
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".
The Garda Public Order Unit 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 officers 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 that 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.
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 public order and specialist units, were deployed in the policing operation.
Dublin Fire Brigade said it supported various agencies in the clean up following the civil disturbances at Citywest.
No injuries were reported to fire brigade personnel.
