A migrant who allegedly sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl outside an asylum seeker hotel in Dublin was awaiting deportation, a court heard on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old appeared via video link before a judge at Cloverhill District Court in the city where a fiery riot broke out on Wednesday night, sparked by anger over the alleged attack in the early hours of Monday and migrants in the city.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke through an Arabic interpreter during the 10-minute hearing when he was remanded back into custody.

The man who is believed to come from an African country is reported to have arrived in the Republic of Ireland six years ago.

He allegedly had his application for asylum, known in Ireland as international protection, turned down last year, and is said to have been subject to a deportation order since March this year.

The alleged victim, who also cannot be named, was an Irish girl who was in care, and had reportedly absconded while being escorted on a trip.

She was allegedly attacked in Garter Lane next to the sprawling Citywest Hotel and conference centre in south-west Dublin which accommodates up to 2,300 people, mainly those seeking international protection and a number of Ukrainian refugee families.

The centre has become a totem for anti-migration feeling in Ireland, as a second night of protests yesterday saw 23 people arrested.

Bottles, bricks and fireworks were launched at officers, with two taken to the hospital with injuries, police said.