Another fire breaks out after protest at Dublin factory earmarked for asylum seekers

A fire has broken out at a former factory in north Dublin following a protest over the site being earmarked to house asylum seekers.

A crowd of more than 1,000 people attended the protest at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock which witnessed violent disorder this week.

Gardaí have stated: "No injuries have been reported.

"A section of the Malahide Road, Coolock is currently closed in both directions. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route if travelling in this area."

Earlier, Taoiseach Simon Harris warned that anyone who engages in “thuggery” and breaks the law while taking part in protests at Coolock will “face the full rigour of the law”.

Speaking in Donegal, he said: “In relation to protest, anybody in Ireland is legitimately entitled to protest, it is a key tenet of our democracy and it is something I would always support the right that people have to protest.

“But I have to say what we have seen in recent days has not been that.

“What we have seen in recent days has been an attempt by a relatively small number of people to engage in lawlessness, to engage in thuggery and to engage in criminal activity.

“That is why there have been several arrests, it is why more than 19 people appeared before the courts in recent days.

“It is why a number of people have now been charged with criminal offences.”