LAST UPDATE | 28 Feb

GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING THE alleged physical assault of a young girl by an individual at a hotel in Kildare are not considering the incident a sexual crime, The Journal understands.

Rumours circulated on social media in recent days claiming that a young girl staying at the hotel near Celbridge, which houses International Protection applicants, was violently sexually assaulted by three men on the grounds of the facility.

The claim led to a demonstration outside the hotel on Tuesday evening, which was attended by figures prominent in the anti-immigrant movement and during which officers were targeted with fireworks.

Gardaí said earlier today that they were investigating the alleged physical assault of a girl by an individual, but The Journal understands that the incident is not being treated as a sexual crime.

Investigators are liaising with Tusla, the child and family agency, on the matter and a Garda spokesperson described the incident as an allegation of “physical abuse” against a child by an “adult directly to known to them”.

It added: “An Garda Síochána is not investigating any further allegations at this time.”

Gardaí also said in another statement this evening that they are investigating a number of individuals who attended the demonstration last night, after fireworks were thrown in the direction of some members of the force who were in attendance.

No Gardaí were injured during the protest, and a Garda spokesperson said that investigators are carrying out inquiries into “the actions of a number of those present”.