'It's absolute madness' - locals angry at outsider involvement as six arrested after scenes of 'sustained violence and thuggery' at Citywest hotel

"Officers used pepper spray as fireworks and bottles hurled at them Local families left 'scared' by scenes of destruction Gardaí in riot gear pushed protesters back as the garda helicopter deployed Bricks used to house electricity meters hurled at gardaí by gang in hoods and masks Justice Minister vows 'forceful response from gardaí' A garda vehicle was also set on fire as a large crowd gathered at the Citywest Hotel yesterday evening. Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the scenes,"

"Of the six people arrested last night, five men - two in their 50s and three in their 40s - have been charged with public order offences and are scheduled to appear before a sitting of Court 3 at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin, this morning. A woman in her 50s, also arrested, has been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions."

Nearly 300 gardaí attended disturbances outside the Citywest Hotel after large crowds gathered. Officers used pepper spray while fireworks, bottles and bricks were hurled, and bricks used to house electricity meters were thrown by masked individuals. A garda vehicle was set on fire and scenes of smashed glass and broken bricks left local families frightened. Six people were arrested; five men were charged with public order offences and one woman was released without charge pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions. A female garda received hospital treatment and has since been discharged. Council workers and the garda technical bureau began cleanup and forensic work.

Read at Irish Independent