Police on duty outside a premises in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow came under attack by persons gathered at the location on Thursday night, April 25, An Garda Síochána (Irish police) confirmed.
The incident developed as a result of workers, contracted to carry out lawful employment on the site, entering the property, An Garda Síochána said in a statement on Thursday.
The property has been identified to house and to put up tents for international protection applicants.
A number of trespassers were also identified on and removed from the site on Wednesday night.
Uniformed Gardaí have been subject to both verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated into rocks and other missiles being thrown on Thursday evening.
Fires were lit and an axe was recovered by Gardaí during Thursday's incident.
An Garda Síochána said on Thursday night that as the situation intensified, members of An Garda Síochána used force to defend themselves as part of an escalated response to the situation.
Assistance was provided by members of An Garda Síochána Public Order Unit and approximately 50 members of An Garda Síochána were at the scene on Thursday night.
The use of force included the use of incapacitant spray and deployment of Public Order Gardaí in Public Order helmets and shields.
Three Garda Patrol cars were damaged during Thursday night's incident, including broken windows and slashed tires.
Six persons were arrested for alleged offenses under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and were detained at Garda stations in Wicklow.
An Garda Síochána said on Thursday night that it was not aware at the time of any persons injured during this incident.
Persons gathered at the entrance were moved away from the entrance but remained gathered in the area.
An Garda Síochána noted that it respects the right of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; this right does not extend to breaches of Criminal Law, interference with the rights of other citizens to carry out their daily activities or to attack members of An Garda Síochána.
Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort.
An Garda Síochána said it is "also aware of misinformation and disinformation being spread in relation to this ongoing incident."
RTE News reported on Thursday night that videos circulating online appeared to show material being burned at the entrance to the site known as Trudder House or River Lodge.
In recent weeks, protests have been staged at the site which was being assessed by Ireland's Department of Integration for housing asylum seekers.
Some locals claim that resources in the area are already overstretched.
There was a fire at the site, allegedly arson, in the early hours of April 13.
Last week, Wicklow People reported that Ireland's Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth had confirmed the arrival of tents at the site to accommodate approximately 160 asylum seekers.
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