FREE STUDENT NEWSPAPER | VOL 16, ISSUE 4 | 27 OCT 2014
NEWS
INSIDE
NUI Galway Students’ Union President Declan Higgins commented; “We are very concerned about this, and we have noted it was reported in local newspapers. This is a massive cause of concern as it is a clear health and safety risk to our students and more over to our community.” Regarding the discovery of the paraphernalia he added; “I will be bringing our concerns to the attention of University management. It is important that anyone concerned about this issue or sees anything suspicious brings it to the attention of the appropriate authorities.” Students’ Union Welfare Officer Aoife Ní Shúilleabháin said; “We would urge all students to take extra care when leaving campus late in the evening or walking in isolated areas.” This advice applies in particular to Students staying out towards Newcastle and Corrib Village. Head of security in NUI Galway Gerry Nolan has pleaded
for students and staff alike to be vigilant for suspicious activity. Due to the sheer size of the campus (263 acres), patrolling it requires co-operation across the board from students and staff a like to tackle issues of this nature. He explained that the security team operating on campus depends on the help of the general public and student body to make NUI Galway a safer place. He went on to say that they are working closely with the Gardaí to tackle the use of heroin on campus. The Students’ Union will be running a personal safety campaign from 3 to 7 November to raise awareness of ways to ensure your own personal safety on and off campus. If you spot anything suspicious on campus please contact either the local Garda Station on (091) 538000 or the NUI Galway Security on (091) 493333. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day.
Almost 3,000 students graduated from NUI Galway during the Autumn Conferring Ceremonies which took place from 18-24 October. Pictured is Charlie Byrne of Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop with Dr John Kenny and President of NUI Galway Dr Jim Browne. Charlie Byrne received an Masters of Arts honoris causa.
FINAL WORD
SPORT
ARTS
Autumn Conferring Ceremonies
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Sin Newspaper can confirm that the heroin problem currently gripping Galway is closer to the heart of campus than initially thought. Large amounts of burnt tin foil, empty packaging and even used syringes have been found on campus. The pathway along the River Corrib past the Engineering building and adjacent to the Student Accommodation at Corrib Village was littered with used drug paraphernalia last week. In recent months the heroin problem in Galway has reached new heights. Gardaí now estimate that there are over 100 known heroin users in the City alone, with a further 700 to 800 suspected casual users of the drug also in the city. The problem has now spilled onto the NUI Galway campus. In August, The Connacht Tribune reported that Judge Mary Fahy had imposed a six month sentence on a man for engaging in
sale of drugs on the NUI Galway campus last April. The sentence does not seem to have deterred those using on campus. Various pieces of equipment designed for the cooking and injecting of the ‘Class A’ substance were found on campus in recent weeks. All the findings have been subsequently reported to campus security. A recent follow up report in the Tribune suggested that heroin use had continued out towards the pitches by Dangan along the Corrib River. They reported that “drug users [were] openly ‘cooking up’ heroin” in the wooded area surrounding the path leading to the Student accommodation and the campus beyond. It is not the first time there has been reports of heroin in close proximity to the student populous. In 2012, Gardaí were called to remove three men from a toilet on campus, one who it transpired had been carrying heroin on his person.
LIFESTYLE
By John Brennan
FEATURES
Heroin use on campus poses threat to students
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