Ninth Level Ireland

“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]

“University College Cork students, who breach Covid-19 regulations including guidelines on attending or visiting households on university-owned accommodation, could face expulsion, UCC interim president Prof John O’Halloran has warned …” (more)

[Barry Roche, Irish Times, 27 September]

“Students at University of Limerick who organise house parties that break Covid rules could be fined or expelled. Colleges and institutes of technology have been told to have as few students on campus as possible for the next few weeks …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 26 September]

“There will be a ban on visitors and parties at UCC owned accommodation when students return to college next week, and students who fail to abide by current public health guidelines around gatherings could find themselves facing repercussions …” (more)

[Roisin Burke, EchoLive, 25 September]

“NUI Galway has warned students that they could be expelled for breaches of Covid-19 related public health restrictions, either on or off the campus. As the new academic year gets underway, the university has sent an email to students warning of the dangers of parties or other risks associated with the pandemic …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 24 September]

“A number of students from Ulster University have received a precautionary suspension for breaching coronavirus guidelines. A spokesperson for the university said ten students have received precautionary suspensions, with a further three cases pending since a new disciplinary policy was introduced on Monday …” (more)

[Eimear McGovern, Belfast Telegraph, 23 September]

“It’s feared the current restrictions will drive students in doors to private house parties late into the night. Under the current restrictions socialising for college students will be limited with pubs closing at 11.30 and nightclubs remaining shut …” (more)

[Red FM, 22 September]

“Students may be prevented from returning home at the weekends if coronavirus continues to spread in Belfast and other university towns, Arlene Foster has warned. Mrs Foster’s comments come amid concerns about the potential for students residing together in large numbers during the week bringing Covid-19 back to their local areas …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 22 September]

“A number of students have been suspended from Queen’s University following disorder in the Holyland area of south Belfast in recent days. It’s after the university received notifications of coronavirus regulation breaches from the PSNI, which led to the suspension of the students for two weeks …” (more)

[Eimear McGovern, Belfast Telegraph, 22 September]

“Police have issued 55 Covid notices, including 31 at one house alone, and eight prohibition notices after another night of disruption in the Holyland area of south Belfast. Two arrests were made for drug possession and assault, while a passing police patrol gave first aid to a 20-year-old man who was drunk and unconscious …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 21 September]

“Dancing, drinking and flirting at wild parties will be firmly off the student timetable this term – even for those tempted to attend an illegal event. Universities are paying for ‘Covid marshals’ to break up mass gatherings and stop undergraduates flouting pandemic rules …” (more)

[Observer, 20 September]

“Thirty people from across Northern Ireland attended a house party in Belfast’s Holyland area, police said. Three people attempted to hide by locking themselves in a bathroom for more than 10 minutes as officers dealt with other people …” (more)

[Michael McHugh, Belfast Telegraph, 18 September]

“Police have issued 55 Covid notices and three prohibition notices after calling to seven house parties in the Holyland area of south Belfast. Officers discovered more than 30 people attending one party in an apartment, where three people tried to hide from police by locking themselves in a bathroom for over 10 minutes …” (more)

[Eimear McGovern, Belfast Telegraph, 18 September]

“Dear Student, I hope you are looking forward to the academic year ahead. The University has been working hard to ensure that we can provide you with an authentic campus experience, whilst keeping you safe. I recognise that the vast majority of students appreciate that they, as with all members of society, have a personal responsibility to act in accordance with COVID 19 guidelines …” (more)

[Queen’s University Belfast, 17 September]

“Police have issued a series of sanctions after a another night of partying in the Belfast Holyland area. In one case a 20-year-old man who had been arrested in the area late on Tuesday evening, was arrested on suspicion of breaching bail last night and was charged to appear in court …” (more)

[Belfast Telegraph, 17 September]

“The Health Minister has said that recent scenes of house parties in Belfast’s Holyland district must not be tolerated. Speaking at a Stormont Covid briefing, Robin Swann said footage of young people drinking in student housing near Queen’s University was unacceptable …” (more)

[Gareth Cross and Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 17 September]

“Dangerous and anti-social house parties in Belfast’s Holyland student district will not be tolerated, the health minister has said. Footage showing groups of young people congregating and drinking in the area of terraced housing near Queen’s University was ‘deplorable’, Robin Swann said …” (more)

[Michael McHugh and David Young, Belfast Telegraph, 16 September]

“Trinity raised eyebrows this week after it announced that violation of coronavirus rules in campus accommodation could lead to the offending student’s license to reside in College being revoked …” (more)

[University Times, 13 September]

“NUI Galway has dropped its mandatory requirement that all students must sign a pledge to adhere to public health advice and ‘behave responsibly’ as a condition of registration for the new academic year …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 13 September]