Second fire at north Dublin Coolock site
RTÉFirefighters in Dublin have brought a “small fire” at a site in Coolock that was being renovated to accommodate asylum seekers under control.
It is the second night in a row that the former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road in the city has been on fire.
Dublin Fire Brigade was alerted at about 19:30 on Thursday.
Two fire engines along with a District Officer from North Strand fire station responded to the incident.
Gardaí (Irish police) have said they are responding to a public order incident.
Riot police have been deployed to the area and objects have been thrown at them, RTÉ have said.
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 on Friday there had been a protest outside the building over its proposed use for asylum seekers.
RTÉ has reported that it was attended by more than 1,000 people and organisers described it as a peaceful meeting.
On Thursday The Dublin Fire Brigade brought a fire, which it is understood is being treated as arson, under control.
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What has been happening at Coolock?
The site at Coolock in North Dublin was being renovated to become accommodation for asylum seekers.
Work had been due to begin on the Malahide Road site later in the week.
It had been the centre of protests and violence earlier in the week over the plans.
On Monday protestors took to the site after machinery and pallets were set alight causing a large fire.
More than 200 gardaí were deployed.
Three Garda cars were damaged, one of which was set on fire.
It said pepper spray was used by police as a security guard and a number of gardaí were injured during clashes with protesters.
Petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown, mattresses were set on fire damaging a JCB and fires were lit on the roads during the disturbances.
Gardaí described the disturbances as a public order incident and the road was closed for a period.
Twenty-one people were arrested and charged, 15 of whom appeared in court on Monday and six on Tuesday afternoon.
