A residents group is considering taking legal steps to prevent the government from going ahead with plans to purchase the Citywest Hotel in Dublin to expand accommodation for international protection applicants, reports Breaking News.
Part of the west Dublin hotel is already being utilized by the state to house IPAs, and the full acquisition would allow for the accommodation of up to 1,000 individuals.
Reports suggest that the planned expansion could cost the government €100 million if the property is bought outright, reports Breaking News.
The existing owners of Citywest received €51 million from the state for use of the hotel over the first nine months of last year. It is the largest hotel in the country.
A vehicle-based protest organized by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase group, made up of residents from Saggart, took place last Friday, followed by a demonstration outside the Dáil on Wednesday, reports Breaking News.
A spokesperson for the group stated that the government’s plan to turn the hotel into a permanent refugee centre would have an “irreversible effect on our village”.
The spokesperson added: “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,” reports Breaking News.
The group also argued 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 believe the proposal will overburden public services like schools, healthcare, and public transport, saying, “we have seen very little help from the government for our village”, reports Breaking News.
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