Vol. 23 #07 25 Jan. 2022
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Winner: Best Newspaper at the National Student Media Awards 2019
Student Independent News Nuachtán saor in aisce · Vol. 23 Issue 07 · 25 Jan. 2022
Candles, flowers and placards were left beside photos of Ashling at the Eyre Square Vigil
NUI Galway Students’ Union works to ease safety concerns amongst students following the tragic death of Ashling Murphy By Valerie McHugh
Editor
The recent tragic death of Ashling Murphy has triggered widespread concern amongst students on the topic of women’s safety. Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old recent university graduate and primary school teacher, was murdered while out jogging on the 12 of January. An outpouring of grief and solidarity from students around the country has arisen since Ms Murphy’s murder, with crowds in their thousands attending numerous vigils that have been arranged in her memory. Students’ Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn was one of the speakers at the Eyre Square Vigil which took place on the 13 of January, and spoke on her views surrounding the topic of gender-based violence and harassment. She stated to all in attendance that “until we have gotten rid of rape culture, and until we have created a culture of consent in Ireland, this is going to continue to
happen. If you have ever engaged in ‘lad talk’ or ‘locker room’ talk, then you are a part of this and it needs to end.” As a result of the concerns felt by many students at this time, NUI Galway Students’ Union are promoting a range of new safety initiatives for students. Pocket-seized safety alarms and portable door alarms are available for purchase in the on-campus Student Union shop for anyone who wishes to buy one. The safety alarms can be fastened to any keychain, and the door alarms can be attached to the outside of your door handle. Both omit a loud ringing sound when triggered. The keychain alarms can be sounded by the owner in the event of an attack, and the door alarm can be programmed to sound if someone tries to enter the room from the outside. Speaking to SIN, NUI Galway Students’ Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn said “We have safety alarms on sale in the SU Shop for anyone would like to buy them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2