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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has commented on the case of the UCD School of Medicine student who was the victim of a sexual assault and image based sexual abuse ahead of today’s ‘Not in Our UCD’ Rally. Responding to a question put to him by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger yesterday, 3 March 2026, An Taoiseach said, “A student lost her place in medicine as a result of a sexual assault which should not happen.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has commented on the case of the UCD School of Medicine student who was the victim of a sexual assault and image based sexual abuse ahead of today’s ‘Not in Our UCD’ Rally. Responding to a question put to him by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger yesterday, 3 March 2026, An Taoiseach said, “A student lost her place in medicine as a result of a sexual assault which should not happen.”
He continued, “I don’t know the background to it, but I would be interested in getting the full case. I’ll ask my officials to contact UCD in respect of this because the Dignity and Respect framework should be observed and priority, absolute priority, must be given to the victim of gender based or sexual assault.”
“Also, I don’t understand how a rapist would be allowed to complete their degree on campus.” He continued “Rapists should be in jail and should do a conviction for such heinous crimes. If I can get background on that, I will engage with UCD in the first instance - as they were mentioned, I would like to hear their perspective on it.”
Ruth Coppinger TD, in her question to the Taoiseach, stated that, “I’ve spoken to other students who’ve been victims of sexual assault at UCD, and under the Dignity and Respect policy, it seems to be utterly meaningless . . . Even something as simple as that is impossible. In all cases, it’s the victim that ends up losing their education.”
The Taoiseach’s comments come ahead of today’s ‘Not in Our UCD’ rally, which will take place at 12:30 today, Wednesday 4 March 2026, outside O’Reilly Hall. The rally is being organised by UCDSU, AMLÉ, Ruth Coppinger TD, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and ROSA Ireland.
The protest is being held with five key demands:
- Waive costs
- Apologise to students
- Take accountability
- Meet the demands
- Respect victims
The ‘waive costs’ demand is in relation to the costs which UCD are pursuing the victim for in relation to a high court case that the student took in an attempt to allow UCD to continue her studies. Last week, Ruth Coppinger TD told the Dáil that these costs are in the value of “a couple hundred thousand” euro. The meet the demands’ line is in relation to the nine demands published a week ago by UCDSU. At time of writing, UCD has not fully complied with any of the demands.
The story, which was first broken by the University Observer on 12 February 2026, has received widespread media attention, with The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, The Journal, Newstalk and RTÉ’s Prime Time having covered the story in the last two weeks.
The ‘Not in Our UCD’ Rally takes place today at 12:30 today outside O’Reilly Hall.
Speakers for the protest include UCDSU Education Officer Matt Mion, Welfare Officer Emilia O’Hagan, representatives from DRCC and AMLÉ, and Ruth Coppinger TD. The rally is aiming to focus on institutional culture and survivor-centred reform in UCD. At 1pm, the rally will begin to march from O’Reilly Hall towards the School of Medicine.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is available via its national 24-hour helpline at 1800 77 8888.
Women’s Aid helpline is available at 1800 341 900.