Dublin: Gardaí have launched a formal investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Monday morning. A man in his thirties has been arrested in connection with the incident and is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Dublin Garda station.
In a statement, Gardaí confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into “a reported sexual assault of a minor girl in the Saggart area of Dublin on Monday, 20 October 2025.” Officers remain on the scene, and further enquiries are being carried out.
The incident has sparked public outrage in the Saggart area. Protesters gathered near the Citywest Hotel — which currently accommodates refugees — holding banners and calling for greater community safety. Gardaí were deployed in large numbers to maintain order during the demonstration.
The Citywest Hotel, purchased by the Irish government earlier this year for €148.2 million, serves as one of the country’s largest refugee accommodation centres, currently housing around 2,000 people. Officials have urged the public not to spread misinformation after unverified social media posts circulated false claims related to the case.
Child in Tusla Care
The child is now in the care of Tusla, Ireland’s child and family agency. In a statement, Tusla confirmed that the girl had been voluntarily placed in its care earlier this year due to family circumstances. She had been living in a supervised residential facility when the incident occurred.
According to Tusla, the girl had left on a supervised trip to Dublin city centre and was later reported missing after contact was lost. Staff members informed Gardaí immediately, and she was subsequently located. Tusla said the child had been “in communication with staff by phone but did not disclose her exact location,” before later reporting that “she had encountered some distressing circumstances.”
Authorities confirmed that the girl was later found in a critical condition and received immediate medical attention.
Gardaí and Tusla continue to coordinate closely on the investigation.
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