Ninth Level Ireland

“A series of gatherings in breach of Covid-19 restrictions have caused DCU Campus Residences to increase disciplinary actions towards tenants. This comes after a party with a gathering was hosted on the 11th of this month in House 11 in College Park Residences on campus. An inside source confirmed that the gathering was hosted by a short stay renter and had people from outside of DCU in attendance, including some students from Queens University Belfast …” (more)

[Niamh Quinlan, The College View, 25 November]

“Hundreds of Northern Irish students have been suspended and hit with fines totalling over €14,000 for breaking lockdown restrictions. Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has imposed sanctions on 109 students for coronavirus-related offences, while Ulster University (UU) said it has dealt with 146 transgressions …” (more)

[Claire McNeilly, Independent, 19 November]

“Six residents in Trinity Hall (Halls) were this week fined €250 each for hosting an indoor gathering, which is forbidden under the complex’s coronavirus restrictions. Two of the students involved confirmed to The University Times that they and four others were called to a disciplinary meeting, held over Zoom, where they were issued the fines …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 6 November]

“Labour Party councillor for Limerick City East, Elena Secas is making a strong plea to people for respectful behaviour in residential areas around UL ‘Residents in housing estates adjacent to UL have big concerns about quite large groups of people socializing in their area …'” (more)

[Donal O’Regan, Limerick Leader, 18 October]

“This week, eight students spoke with The University Times about a culture of intimidation and fear at Trinity Hall during the coronavirus pandemic. Students are facing evictions and threats of fines worth hundreds of euros if they break the complex’s strict rules, making residents feel afraid, unwelcome and as if they are in ‘prison’ …” (more)

[University Times, 18 October]

“Trinity Hall – billed by College as ‘an ideal place to make friends and get acquainted’ – has become like a ‘prison’ during the coronavirus pandemic, in which students face threats of severe punishments, evictions and fines worth hundreds of euro for breaking the complex’s strict rules …” (more)

[Jane Cook and Amy Cox, University Times, 16 October]

“Queen’s University Belfast has launched an investigation into a video that appears to show around 20 of its students dancing to ‘Rock the Boat’ in one of its accommodation buildings last week. The video, which was obtained by The University Times, shows the students – none of whom are wearing masks or practicing social distancing – dancing in two rows to the popular 1973 song …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 5 October]

“Simon Harris has warned critics to lay off students – while urging young people to party safely – as Ireland is engulfed by the dreaded second wave of Covid-19. In a wide-ranging interview with the Irish Sun, the Higher Education Minister hits out at the ‘complete bull’ stereotypes that students are ignoring health rules following wild scenes in Galway, Limerick and Cork …” (more)

[Adam Higgins, Irish Sun, 4 October]

“Over the last week, a number of student gatherings have been shut down by An Garda Síochána. According to the Irish Times, Gardaí have shut down 35 ‘student house parties’ over Freshers’ Week at the University of Limerick (UL). Gardaí have also arrested five people as part of the policing plan around UL …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly, Trinity News, 3 October]

“University College Cork has confirmed that 11 students have been suspended on a temporary basis following breaches of student rules relating to public health. In a statement issued this afternoon, UCC acknowledge that while the vast majority of their students have been adhering to national public health guidelines, its Campus Watch had received 11 complaints since the term recommenced earlier this week …” (more)

[Jennie O’Sullivan, RTÉ News, 1 October]

“Galway Gardai say they will not provide specific addresses of student house parties to NUIG but will continue the practice of highlighting problem areas to the university. It had been understood that Gardai would provide the addresses of student house parties they have broken up to NUIG in an effort to enforce regulations on mass gatherings …” (more)

[Galway Bay FM, 30 September]

“NUI Galway students who breach public health guidelines face expulsion from the university. On Monday night up to 1,000 students in Galway gathered along the Claddagh Basin across from the Spanish Arch to celebrate Freshers Week …” (more)

[Eavan Murray, Independent, 30 September]

“Gardaí in Cork have said they are not investigating any suspected breaches of the public health regulations after they responded to reports of crowds queuing outside bars on Oliver Plunkett St in the city …” (more)

[Eoin English, Irish Examiner, 29 September]

“The Garda has agreed to supply college authorities at NUI Galway with the addresses of house parties they break up in an effort to curtail large gatherings. The move comes following a number of events across Galway city held as the new college term got under way on Monday night …” (more)

[Conor Pope, Irish Times, 30 September]

“NUI Galway leadership is to hold a meeting today with Gardai and Galway city council after large groups of students congregated at various areas of the city last evening. The university has described the scenes as ‘deplorable’ …” (more)

[Galway Bay FM, 29 September]

“NUI Galway leadership is to hold a meeting today with Gardai and Galway city council after large groups of students congregated at various areas of the city last evening. The university has described the scenes as ‘deplorable’ …” (more)

[Galway Bay FM, 29 September]

“Student house parties are continuing to be a problem in Cork city during Freshers’ Week. Gardaí said they responded to call-outs to five house parties last night where there were upwards of between 20 and 40 people in attendance, despite calls for students to behave responsibly …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 29 September]

“The President of GMIT Dr Orla Flynn says she is dismayed after large groups of students congregated at the Spanish Arch and Shop Street areas of the city last evening. Her comments come as the county Cathaoirleach James Charity is one of many to have called on third level institutions in Galway as well as the Gardai to take action after images of the crowded scenes were circulated widely on social media …” (more)

[Galway Bay FM, 29 September]

“Residents in Cork city have called for University College Cork (UCC) to call off Freshers Week as the number of Covid-19 cases in Cork continue to rise. Yesterday, a further 54 cases were confirmed in Cork and the county is under consideration for additional lockdown measures …” (more)

[Michelle McGlynn, Irish Examiner, 28 September]

“As many third level students start their new academic year today they are being asked to consider whether they need to travel to rented accommodation in light of new restrictions which will limit on-campus activity. In addition, several colleges have warned students that any breaches of Covid-19 regulations – including guidelines on the numbers who can attend house parties and other social gatherings – could result in expulsion …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 28 September]