LAST UPDATE | 22 Jul

A FIFTH FIRE in as many days broke out yesterday evening at the former Crown Paints site in Coolock, Dublin where violent anti-migrant protests have taken place. 

Gardaí said the Malahide Road was closed to allow fire services to access the site.

Dublin Fire Brigade extinguished the fire and made the area safe. The road has since reopened.

A garda spokesperson said that no injuries have been reported at this time and enquiries are ongoing.

During the protests there have been violent clashes with gardaí and journalists at the site have been threatened. Three gardaí have been injured when they were attacked by rioters.  

Taoiseach Simon Harris and and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke on Sunday about the ongoing protests in Coolock in Dublin against plans to house up to 500 people seeking international protection in the area. Both have called for calm while McDonald called for action from Government to solve the issue. 

The Department of Integration has previously confirmed that the old Crown Paints factory in Coolock will be used to house the people.

However protests followed by scenes of violence broke out on Monday when a Government-contracted provider attempted to begin work on the site.

Some in the community have said that there has not been adequate engagement with the community on these plans, a point which McDonald reiterated today in a statement after the call with the Taoiseach.

Others, however, are against housing any people seeking international protection at the site, with some holding signs reading “get the out” and have painted barricades to the building with the words “get the smell bags out”.

At the first incident on Monday, The Journal witnessed many incidents of public destruction, racism and clashes between protestors and the gardaí.

Over 20 people have been charged and one other person has been arrested in relation to behaviour which took place at the many demonstrations in Coolock this week. 

Videos apparently showing members of the public inside the structure have appeared online.

With reporting from Jane Moore