A derelict factory, initially intended for housing asylum seekers, was set ablaze following nighttime protests at the location within Dublin's Coolock area.
Over 1,000 individuals gathered outside the former Crown Paints site on Friday evening in northern Dublin, with Gardaí present to maintain order. Demonstrators held signs expressing solidarity for Irish citizens and opposition to plans using the building as an accommodation facility for asylum seekers.
A police representative relayed that "Gardaí are currently responding to a public disorder incident at Malahide Road, Coolock." A small fire near the protest site was being attended by local fire services and no injuries were reported.
The demonstration escalated when participants dispersed from the Gardaí station in Coolock and returned to the vacant factory, leading to disorder within the crowd. The group "Coolock Says No" organized the protest against the intended use of the property for asylum seekers' accommodations, assuring peaceful conduct prior to the incident.
The situation intensified with several individuals involved in violent actions earlier in the week, including arson and hurling objects at law enforcement personnel. Following these disturbances, multiple arrests were made, and charges have been filed against a number of those detained.
This event unfolded amidst growing tension surrounding asylum seekers' presence in Ireland, exemplified by an earlier confrontation where individuals with weapons attacked 15 refugees in tent shelters at City Quay, prompting their retreat to a police station.
Read next
Over 1 million people gather in Madrid for outdoor mass with Pope Leo
Over one million people gathered in Madrid for an open-air mass led by Pope Leo. During the service, the American pontiff highlighted the contradiction between Christian principles and far-right ideology, stating, “No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother.”
Crowds began forming hours before dawn on Sunday
Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang to strengthen China-North Korea relations
Xi Jinping has begun a two-day visit to North Korea, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years as he seeks to strengthen relations with the ally.
Footage from the Xinhua state news agency showed the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arriving at Sunan international
Denmark's mullet championship celebrates the 'beautifully ugly' and divisive hairstyle
Copenhagen recently hosted the 2026 Mullet Championship, where more than 1,000 spectators gathered on an outdoor stage to celebrate the enduring hairstyle characterized by short hair in the front and length in the back.
Twelve participants competed in the event, which was organized by 37-year-old electrician Steffen Stiw Weber.