Imagine returning home with your child, only to be surrounded by strangers shouting hateful words and blocking your path. This is the chilling reality for families at the Citywest IPAS centre in Dublin, where ongoing harassment and intimidation have become a daily nightmare. But here’s where it gets even more disturbing: children are being targeted, told to 'go home,' and even having their belongings taken, while their parents endure verbal abuse and derogatory names. And this is the part most people miss—the psychological toll on these families, especially the children, who are left feeling unsafe and confused.
The situation escalated dramatically after violent protests erupted outside the centre in late October. Since then, residents report that the harassment has intensified. Ronan Murphy, a teacher at Scoil Aoife community national school, shares alarming insights from his students. During the school’s morning 'news' segment, children recount stories of 'scary people with masks' and violent incidents in their community. These aren’t just isolated events; they’re a pattern of fear and aggression that’s tearing apart a sense of safety.
One Ukrainian mother, who wished to remain anonymous, described a terrifying encounter. While returning to the Citywest hotel with her 12-year-old daughter, their car was surrounded by five individuals, some waving Irish flags. They shouted, 'Get out. This is our street!' and hurled insults like 'You bitch.' Her daughter, scared and crying, felt utterly unsafe as the protesters filmed them up close, even capturing the child’s face. Despite her pleas for help, the nearby gardaí offered little assistance, advising her only to 'drive slowly.' The situation escalated further when the protesters began kicking her car, and she was later told to stop filming and delete her video.
This mother has since filed a detailed complaint with Clondalkin Garda station, questioning the level of protection provided to residents. Her questions are haunting: What can gardaí do to ensure the safety of families under direct threat? And how can residents protect themselves and their children in such hostile environments? So far, she has received no response.
An African father, also anonymous, paints a grim picture of the broader context. He notes that racism has been on the rise, but since the riots, it feels like 'hunting season against coloured people.' White teenagers are increasingly targeting children of colour, taking their belongings and shouting, 'This is our country. F**k off.' Immigrant parents are now hesitant to let their children play outside alone, and he cites a recent incident where an Irish-born teenager of Sudanese heritage was severely beaten. When families turn to the Garda for help, they’re met with inaction, leaving them feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
During the riots on October 21st and 22nd, school attendance plummeted as parents kept their children home. Mr. Murphy recalls children discussing the chaos—fires, thrown objects, and a general sense of danger. While younger children may not fully grasp that the violence is directed at them, the fact that they’re exposed to such stories is deeply troubling. Schools are striving to create a safe environment, but incidents like these undermine those efforts.
Here’s the controversial part: Some argue that the gardaí’s response—or lack thereof—reflects a broader systemic issue in addressing hate crimes and protecting vulnerable communities. Is this a failure of law enforcement, or are there deeper societal issues at play? And what does this say about our collective responsibility to ensure safety and dignity for all residents, regardless of their background?
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice, which oversees IPAS and Ukrainian refugee accommodation, emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff are their top priority. They claim to be working closely with An Garda Síochána to review and enhance security measures. But for the families at Citywest, these assurances ring hollow as they continue to face daily harassment.
What do you think? Is enough being done to protect these families, or is this a symptom of a larger problem? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could lead to real change.
