Twenty-three people have been arrested during a second night of disturbances at the Citywest accommodation centre in Dublin, which gardaí say was predominantly carried out by teenagers and young adult males.
Missiles and fireworks were thrown at gardaí and the public order unit along with other specialist units were deployed to disperse the crowd last night.
Over 300 gardaí were involved in policing the protests. Two were injured and taken to hospital.
The policing operation began just before 7pm as gardaí prevented protesters arriving at Citywest from gathering in large numbers to form a critical mass.
Uniformed gardaí in soft caps directed people to leave the area under Section 8 of the Public Order Act
They also linked arms and formed lines, which protesters tried to breach, and were subjected to verbal abuse.
Missiles were thrown at gardaí, two were injured, one in the arm or shoulder, while one officer was hit on the head with a bottle. Both were treated in hospital.
Fireworks were also fired at gardaí and the graduated policing response was escalated.
Groups of men broke masonry off the road and the Luas stop to throw at gardaí.
The public order and mounted units were deployed to push protesters back as the graduated policing plan was stepped up. The water cannon was on standby but not used.
The air support and dog units along with 150 uniform gardaí and 120 public order officers were also involved.
The Minister for Justice again commended gardaí yesterday for what he called their professional response to the "thuggish violence at Citywest".
Jim O'Callaghan said that many people have been arrested, more will follow and they will be charged, named and dealt with "relentlessly" by the criminal justice system.
An investigation to identify all those involved is ongoing.
The demonstration had began after a man had appeared in court charged with the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the early hours of Monday morning.
A total of 30 people have now been arrested and many of these are expected in court on public order charges later today.
