Three police officers were injured during anti-immigration protests at a site designated for housing asylum seekers in Dublin, authorities reported.

This incident is the latest in a series of clashes in a deprived northern suburb of the Irish capital. Initially, a public gathering at the site on Friday was peaceful but later escalated into public disorder.

A fire broke out, and police faced verbal and physical abuse, including being pelted with rocks and bricks.

The Garda, Ireland’s national police force, used pepper spray and batons in self-defense, Barron’s reported.

The injured officers are recovering, according to a police update on Saturday.

Written by B.C. Begley