As the ‘Not in Our UCD’ demonstrations end, Chief News Correspondent Ben Sweeney investigates the protests’ effects on the UCD community.
Castleknock Community College has withdrawn from a Literary & Historical Society (L&H) debating event, citing “unrest on the UCD campus” due to the UCD School of Medicine sexual assault and image based sexual abuse case. UCD’s alleged lack of support for the student who was the victim of image based sexual assault lead to the ‘Not in Our UCD’ protest.
Castleknock Community College, was due to send students to the L&H’s Senior Mace competition, which took place on 7 March. The competition included schools from across the country and served as a qualifying round for national and international tournaments. Correspondence seen by the University Observer shows Castleknock Community College dropped out of the competition the day before it occurred, noting that parents were uncomfortable with students attending the event.
Wedge Egan, Senior Mace convenor with the L&H, says that Castleknock Community College’s decision was “unique” and emphasized its rarity. He says that other schools have not withdrawn for similar reasons, although others contacted the L&H to ensure the competition was running amidst the disruptions.
Egan believes that future applicants are “probably very unlikely to go to UCD” following the “negative press” the University has received following the sexual abuse case. He considers that societies, including the L&H, have a significant role in attracting students to UCD but that students are now “second guessing… coming to UCD.”
In a statement, the UCD President’s Office affirmed their support for victims of IBSA and sexual violence generally. The President’s Office “will take steps within the university and across the sector… to tackle IBSA, and protect our community.” They emphasize the student support services available for students “impacted by trauma” following the news.
This story relates to Castleknock Community College, not St. Vincent’s Castleknock College. Sincere apologies to St Vincent’s Castleknock College for any confusion caused. St Vincent’s Castleknock College were never due to take part in this debate competition.