Protesters in Dublin have attacked police officers and set vehicles on fire at a site designated to house asylum seekers. 

Violence erupted on Monday as preparations were made to turn a disused paint factory into accommodation.

Irish PM Simon Harris called the violence “reprehensible”, saying: “No person has a right to burn cars, damage property or attack members” of security and emergency services.

“These actions are criminal and are designed to sow fear and division.”

Protesters gathered in the morning, some with their faces covered, and a number of fires were set. Videos and pictures posted on social media on Monday showed a digger truck in flames.

The violence escalated as bricks and fireworks were thrown at officials and bins and mattresses were set alight.

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Construction workers who were to begin renovating the premises were removed from the site.

“A security guard was attacked for simply doing his job,” said Mr Harris. “He and his family are in my thoughts and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.”

Pepper spray was used by police in an attempt to disperse a crowd close to a makeshift anti-immigration camp.

Fifteen people, thirteen men and two women, appeared before a late-night sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday, charged with a range of public order offences.

The protest camp was set up several months ago to prevent workers from renovating the premises, with people there around the clock.

A man with a megaphone told the crowd the government is going to “change the constitution”.

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He claimed ministers will “change the 39th amendment to take our private property”.

“They are going to ask you if you have a private room and force you to put them in,” he said.

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