The Workers’ Party condemns the alleged sexual assault of a girl in Citywest, Dublin, earlier this week, as well as the rioting and violence that targeted international protection applicants in the aftermath.

The girl had gone missing while in the care of Tusla, which now has serious questions to answer following the alleged incident. More generally, the government, which recently purchased the Citywest Hotel to use as an IPAS centre, must account for their running of the already-controversial site, considering Gardaí closed a section of it off for forensic examination as part of their investigations.

The alleged victim must be supported to the fullest extent possible, and the alleged suspect must be brought to justice to the fullest extent that the law can provide for.

The targeting of international protection applicants in the aftermath must also be condemned. Attempts to intimidate people who have no connection to the alleged incident are shameful. This is not an attempt to protest the failures of the government on dealing with the issue of sexual assault, crime in general or even on the issue of immigration. Rather, it is the cynical use of a very serious incident by reactionary elements to instill fear and further division.

The growth of a reactionary, anti-immigrant right-wing force in Irish politics can be attributed to a combination of factors: one is the worsening neglect by successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments of working class communities. The other is the failure of the left at large; namely, the left’s failure to articulate a rational, class-based position of regulated migration. This, combined with the abandonment of class politics in general by much of the left, has left fertile ground for reactionaries to organise in, allowing them to exploit such events to fill a political vacuum and position themselves in the eyes of many as the defenders of women and Irish workers.

Media reports in the aftermath of the incident tell that the suspect first arrived in Ireland six years ago, had failed in his international protection application last year, and has been subject to a deportation order since March of this year. This is symptomatic of a dysfunctional asylum process, which benefits only the profiteers who operate IPAS accommodation and the employers seeking a pool of easily-exploited migrant labour. It is essential that asylum claims be assessed quickly and fairly, as well as in keeping with the principles of international law.

It is also essential that the integrity of the asylum system be protected, including by enforcing the law in cases where claims are rejected. The practice of allowing those whose claims are rejected to remain in Ireland long-term undermines the legitimacy of the system, provides ammunition to reactionary elements, and ultimately harms those in need of protection.

The Workers’ Party calls for full accountability for any crimes committed, as well as proper oversight of systems such as Tusla and IPAS centres.