Security at the Citywest Hotel remains tight, with a strong garda presence visible throughout the area over the last number of weeks.
Steel barriers, were raised in height, are blocking the main driveway that leads to the hotel’s entrance, reports RTE.
Inside the expansive complex, the atmosphere remains calm yet filled with tension.
RTÉ News was granted access to the premises to speak with some of the 1,200 residents, most of whom are Ukrainian refugees, reports RTE.
The hotel also accommodates people seeking international protection. While a small number live in the main building, around 460 reside in a separate structure designated as a Transit Hub, which was off-limits to reporters.
Among the 1,200 residents, there are approximately 350 Ukrainian families, and many of their children attend nearby schools, reports RTE.
Anastasia is one such resident, living there with her two young children — a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
When the protests began, she immediately packed an emergency backpack, just as she had done back in Ukraine, reports RTE.
“I put in medicine, I put clothes for kids, I put documents. I started to look, where is emergency exit, what I should do if everything will get very bad,” she explained, reports RTE.
Clearly distressed, Anastasia described how she had to warn her children to be cautious, reports RTE.
“I started to talk to them to say that we are not safe. I said you should be careful, maybe not playing outside because not safe for you playing outside. After school, we went to the room, and stay all day in the room,” reports RTE.
Despite his age, her two-year-old son tried to reassure her, promising to protect her.
“Yesterday, my son said, ‘I will be protecting you, no worries Mama’, but I know he’s so small,” reports RTE.
Natalia, another resident, does not have children herself, but when the protest turned violent on Tuesday night, she ended up caring for her friend’s child.
Her friend, who was returning from work, couldn’t get back into the complex by car, so Natalia took the child for the night while the mother stayed in Lucan, reports RTE.
Many residents had to sleep in offices or find temporary accommodation elsewhere due to the unrest.
Natalia said that those inside were “cut off” from the events happening outside, reports RTE.
“So, we were not allowed to even go to the reception desk (of the hotel). There was no opportunity to get out from the hotel when the protests were on,” she said, reports RTE.
She has now decided to remain indoors for the next few days.
The Citywest Hotel also houses several residents with disabilities, reports RTE.
Vaslylyna, who is visually impaired, said her greatest fear this week was that a fire might break out because she wouldn’t know where to go.
She admitted she still feels a deep sense of fear, reports RTE.
“I don’t go anywhere these days, even to the supermarket,” reports RTE.
Speaking through a translator, she added that if she ever needs to go to hospital, she would ask someone for help.
Those interviewed expressed their gratitude to both the gardaí and the Citywest staff for ensuring their safety, reports RTE.
They also praised the local Saggart community — including school staff, parents, and colleagues — for being “so good”.
However, the disturbances of the past week have clearly unsettled many of those staying at the Citywest accommodation centre, reports RTE.
Residents remain exhausted, anxious, and afraid.
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