Major disruption expected due to protest over govt plans to purchase Citywest hotel

Sarah Slater

Major disruption is expected on the N7 on Friday afternoon due to a protest over government plans to purchase Citywest hotel in Dublin to increase international protection applicants' accommodation.

A vehicle rollout protest by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase residents group based in Saggart has been organised for 3:15pm.

A portion of the hotel located in Dublin is already being used by the government to provide housing for IPAs, and the move would see 1,000 people being able to be accommodated there.

It has been reported that the hoped for expansion could cost the state €100 million if purchased.

The current owners of Citywest received €51 million from the State for the first nine months of last year for use of the facility. The hotel is the biggest in the country.

The government has pledged to cease using private accommodation for such applicants replacing it with State owned facilities.

Friday afternoon’s action, which is expected to disrupt heavy weekend traffic, follows a peaceful protest outside the Dáil last Wednesday.

The moving car protest will involve a loop of Saggart village surrounding the hotel and will then continue across three lanes of the N7 to Naas in Co Kildare where it will end.

Over the past number of days the residents group have been involved in slow driving protests around the local Saggart area

A group spokesperson explained that the “government’s decision” to purchase Citywest Hotel and convert it into a permanent refugee center will have an “irreversible effect on our village”.

The spokesperson continued: “Such an action will not only strain local infrastructure and resources but also place significant stress on both the existing and newly arrived populations. Both groups are likely to suffer from inadequate integration efforts, which are essential for fostering mutual understanding and harmony.”

The spokesperson highlighted that the group is fighting to “reclaim” what they view as their local amenities and save their leisure center, gym, and restaurant, which are part of the Citywest Hotel complex.

“(These) are likely to close with the purchase. We want our convention center back so it can again host events.

“Furthermore, transforming such a significant local landmark into a permanent center is affecting local businesses reliant on tourism and disrupting the quiet ambiance many of us value,” the spokesperson noted.

“It is causing challenges in community integration and our security. It is placing a burden on our public services, such as education, healthcare, and transportation, and we have seen very little help from the government for our village”.