Dublin is in turmoil tonight. A community’s heartbreak has turned to fury after reports that a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted inside the Citywest migrant hotel.
Crowds gathered outside the building in protest — what began as quiet outrage soon erupted into chaos. A police van was set on fire, and clashes with officers filled the streets. “People came here to support that little girl,” said local councillor Dermot Richardson. “But fear and anger took over — violence helps no one.”
A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with the assault and remains in custody. Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, called the case “extremely serious,” admitting the State had “failed to protect this child.”
It’s a night that’s left the nation shaken — not just by what happened, but by the question echoing across Ireland:
How could this happen to a child under the State’s care? 💔
