Ninth Level Ireland

“A local councillor has called for the establishment of a code of conduct for students who live away from the University of Limerick (UL) campus. Green member Sean Hartigan has held meetings with residents of the Magazine Road in Cork, where a protocol was put in place, and, he says, has seen anti-social behaviour there decrease …” (more)

[Nick Rabbitts, Limerick Leader, 17 July]

“A total of 160 University College Cork students were found to have breached public health guidelines designed to stop the spread of Covid, with 43 of these students temporarily suspended while an investigation was conducted, the Irish Examiner can reveal …” (more)

[Nicole Glennon, Irish Examiner, 16 July]

“University of Limerick has sanctioned a number of students who have been officially reported and investigated and found to have broken the institution’s code of conduct relating to the current Covid-19 restrictions …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 21 April]

“More than 300 unauthorised gatherings and parties were recorded on university campus residences in the first semester of the academic year, new figures show. Data released to the Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act by each of Ireland’s universities showed that 347 unauthorised gatherings took place from September to December …” (more)

[Jade Wilson, Irish Times, 18 April]

“A landlord has welcomed a High Court order quashing a ruling by a district court judge which held him responsible for noise pollution emanating from students holding lockdown parties at two of his properties near University College Cork …” (more)

[Barry Roche, Irish Times, 15 April]

“Hundreds of young people are making up for the disappointment of a quieter St Patrick’s Day by partying harder than ever in the Holyland, residents said. It follows reports of ‘busloads being shipped in to view properties in the area’ – even though term has finished and there is no need for students to be there …” (more)

[Claire McNeilly, Belfast Telegraph, 30 March]

“Queen’s University, Belfast responded to The Gown that they did have Information Sharing Agreements with public agencies such as the Police and Belfast City Council, following concerns raised by students connected with the Student’s Union. Some representatives said that there were dangers for public trust if Queen’s University held any information on non-student members of the public who had breached Coronavirus laws …” (more)

[Peter Donnelly, The Gown, 25 March]

“I refer to article of March 3 last by your correspondent Eoin English Residents near UCC fear summer of Magaluf-style parties which outlined the stark reality of life for the residents of Magazine Road and the surrounding areas adjacent to UCC. Both UCC and MTU (formerly CIT) expanded significantly over the years, but little or no provision was made for the additional accommodation requirements of students …” (more)

[Tony Long, Irish Examiner, 19 March]

“Young people have been made scapegoats for the pandemic, a students’ union has said. Ulster University Students’ Union president Collette Cassidy made the claim after St Patrick’s Day passed off without major incident …” (more)

[Gareth Cross, Belfast Telegraph, 18 March]

“Residents in Belfast’s Holyland area have voiced their anger after it emerged that the city council requested powers from Stormont to deal with issues in the area six months ago – but was blocked …” (more)

[Andrew Madden, Belfast Telegraph, 16 March]

“Universities have avoided using suspension or expulsion to deal with breaches of Covid-related regulations. Students have been banned from living in campus accommodation, fined, or told to write reflective essays or letters of apology after partying or breaking public health rules …” (more)

[Independent, 16 March]

“The PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has warned anyone planning to travel to the Holyland area of Belfast for St Patrick’s Day that police will deal robustly with Covid-19 breaches and anti-social behaviour. Mr Byrne is also backing a call by the area’s MP for a task force to oversee change in the main student area of Belfast – not just on St Patrick’s Day but all year round …” (more)

[Lauren Harte, Belfast Telegraph, 15 March]

“A task force is needed to oversee change in the main student area of Belfast – not just on St Patrick’s Day but all year round, the area’s MP has said. The Holylands area has become synonymous with anti-social behaviour on March 17, with large crowds, including those from outside the area, gathering to party …” (more)

[Mairead Holland, Belfast Telegraph, 15 March]

“More than 200 students have been suspended from Queen’s University, Belfast in just seven months for breaching coronavirus regulations, it can be revealed. In total, 252 students have been reported to the university by police, while 229 were suspended for a fortnight after flouting the health and safety rules …” (more)

[Claire McNeilly, Belfast Telegraph, 10 March]

“Residents of the Holyland have rounded on the First and deputy First Ministers for their ‘wholly inadequate’ response to concerns about house parties in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day. The south Belfast student area is notorious for revelry at this time of the year …” (more)

[Claire McNeilly, Belfast Telegraph, 10 March]

“The head of the Limerick garda division has questioned the need for so many students to be living near the University of Limerick during the pandemic. Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche says a number of students have moved from elsewhere in the city into off-campus accommodation in Castletroy …” (more)

[David Hurley, Limerick Leader, 8 March]

“The University continues to be proud of the exemplary way in which the vast majority of our students have responded to the challenges that the pandemic has posed. Although this has not been the academic year that we hoped for, we continue to be impressed by the commitment, dedication and adaptability that our students have shown to their studies …” (more)

[QUB, 8 March]

“Landlords of properties rented to students in Castletroy, Limerick, where house parties have come under the spotlight during the Covid-19 pandemic are to be targeted in a joint operation coordinated by Limerick City and County Council and gardaí …” (more)

[David Raleigh, BreakingNews.ie, 5 March]

“There has been plenty of tough talking from third-level colleges when it comes to taking a zero tolerance approach to Covid-19 breaches by students. Much of it is just that. The reality is that the most egregious breaches captured on shaky mobile phone footage have been taking place outside college campuses in the private rented sector …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 3 March]

“Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has described a party held by students in the University of Limerick (UL) as ‘completely unacceptable’ and a ‘slap in the face to everyone sacrificing so much’. Over 50 fines have been issued to students of the University of Limerick (UL) after coronavirus restrictions were breached during a street party in Castletroy yesterday, according to RTÉ News …” (more)

[Mairead Maguire, University Times, 3 March]