Legal action considered to stop government purchasing Citywest hotel for IP applicants

Sarah Slater

Legal action is being considered by a residents group in a bid to stop government plans to purchase Citywest hotel in Dublin to increase international protection applicants accommodation.

A portion of the hotel located in west 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.

A vehicle rollout protest by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase residents group based in Saggart took place last Friday and a protest outside the Dáil on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the group claims that the government’s decision to purchase Citywest Hotel and convert it into a permanent refugee centre 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 people.

“Both groups are likely to suffer from inadequate integration efforts, which are essential for fostering mutual understanding and harmony.”

The group pointed out that “transforming such a significant local landmark into a permanent centre is affecting local businesses reliant on tourism and disrupting the quiet ambiance many of us value. It is causing challenges in community integration and our security.”

They claim the move will place a burden on public services, such as education, healthcare, and transportation, and “we have seen very little help from the government for our village”.