Gardaí are investigating the alleged rape of a ten-year-old Irish child at the Citywest hotel in Dublin on Monday by an asylum seeker who is understood to be from Africa.
The Irish Mirror has reported that: “the 10-year-old Irish girl is alleged to have been sexually assaulted by a foreign national male, who is understood to be from Africa. The incident is alleged to have occurred on the grounds of the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Monday morning, not inside the building.”
The little girl is believed to be in the care of Tusla, the State’s Child and Family Agency, but was not being housed at the hotel. Gardaí are investigating as to how the alleged victim was on the grounds of the hotel.
Gardaí said that a man in his twenties “is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin region.”
The Irish Times said that: “the suspect arrived in Ireland six years ago and failed in his application for international protection in 2024. He has been the subject of a deportation order since March of this year.”
This morning (Tuesday) An Garda Síochána appealed for witnesses. In a statement they said that “gardaí are appealing for witnesses in connection with the investigation into an alleged assault of a female juvenile, reported to have occurred at Saggart, Co. Dublin on Monday, 20th October 2025.”
“An Garda Síochána would like to speak to any persons who was in the City West Drive, Garter Lane, City West Luas Stop, or Saggart Luas Stop areas between 11:00pm on Sunday 19th October 2025, and 01:30am on Monday 20th October 2025.”
“The Garda investigation team can be contacted at Clondalkin Garda Station on (01) 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
“A male (20s) is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin region.”
Yesterday, An Garda Síochána told Gript that “Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault of a female juvenile reported to have occurred at Saggart, Co. Dublin on Monday, 20th October 2025.
A male (30s) has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin region.”
The spokesperson added that investigations are ongoing.
In June of this year, the State signed off on an agreement to buy Citywest for €148.2 million. The centre currently holds 2,000 refugees with a capacity for 2,300. The purchase has been the source of ongoing controversy in the local community.