'I'm proud to be an immigrant' - Ireland AM star speaks out after Dublin riots

Television presenter Katja Mia has spoken out following the riots that occurred in Dublin on Thursday evening. The surreal scenes transpired following a stabbing attack in the capital yesterday afternoon.

The broadcaster, who was recently named as the new host of the Six O'Clock Show on Virgin Media alongside Brian Dowling, said she was proud of her background and is someone who has come from "humble beginnings". 

"I know they're targeting immigrants," Mia stated on Ireland AM on Friday morning.

"I'm proud to be Irish, but I'm even more proud to be an immigrant. My parents came to Ireland in 1997, they left Burundi with nothing.

She added: "A lot of asylum seekers regret their circumstances and they want nothing more than to integrate and to contribute to society - to be part of a new Ireland."

34 people were arrested and 32 people appeared before the courts today after a night of rioting in Dublin City Centre following the stabbing of five people, including three children on Parnell Square.

Following the incidents, groups of people gathered in the city and clashed with gardaí, looted shops and set fire to a number of vehicles, including Garda cars, buses and a Luas tram.