Citywest Hotel sale: Two protests planned on Sunday by residents group

Sarah Slater

Two protests by a residents group are to take place on Sunday outside the former hotel and conference centre Citywest and in Dublin city centre.

The protests, the fifth by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase group, are aimed at highlighting residents' opposition to the Government’s planned multimillion euro purchase of Citywest hotel in Dublin as accommodation for international protection applicants.

The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, announced on Tuesday that the Cabinet approved the purchase of the site for €148.2 million.

Mr O’Callaghan’s announcement came after several months of negotiations and disquiet among the local Citywest community.

A spokesperson for the group posted on social media outlined that they are “calling on supporters from other counties to join us in a strong show of unity” for a peaceful protest outside Citywest Hotel.

The first protest is to take place at 2pm from the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square through the city centre and the second at 6.30pm in Saggart village.

The group is also planning another vehicle protest next week in Mr O’Callaghan’s constituency.

The Minister highlighted that owning the hotel and conference centre, rather than leasing it, would provide great “value for money” and long-term saving for the State.

He added: “In a sector that has seen extremely high costs in recent times, purchasing Citywest makes prudent financial sense for the State compared to costs of leasing the site.

"The purchase represents a payback period to the State of approximately four years, and over 25 years, the purchase and operating cost model offer savings of more than €1 billion, while delivering a permanent State asset.”

Mr O’Callaghan said he is “committed” to reforming Ireland’s international protection system to ensure its efficiency and robustness.

He noted that a “stable and sustainable accommodation network” is a central element of that reform.

The hotel has been used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers since 2022. The site has the capacity to accommodate up to 2,300 people. It was first used by the State as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Legal action is also being considered by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase residents group also based in Saggart. The group held a drive slow protest on the N7 last Friday and a protest outside the Dáil last 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 that they “have seen very little help from the Government”.