COLLEGE TRIBUNE Independent Student Media
Issue_06.33
28.01.2020
UNION KEEP HALF
THEIR PROMISES I
Conor Capplis Editor
t’s the beginning of Semester 2, so we thought we’d take a closer look at our Student Union Sabbatical Officers. Union candidates have a history of promising a lot in their campaigns and not always following through. It’s over half-way in the year, and definitely time to start seeing results. We took a look at every SU Officer’s election manifesto and looked at everything they promised you, the students of UCD. From that list, we calculated what they’ve done, haven’t done, and what’s still in the pipeline. So far, they’ve achieved collectively 52% of their election promises, an admirable effort at this point in the year. The ques-
tion remains, how much more will the team get done by the time they get replaced in a few months’ time? Let’s take a look at what each Sabbatical Officer has done so far, and what promises they’ve all but abandoned. First up is our Entertainments Officer Tom Monaghan. So far he’s fulfilled 29% of his manifesto promises, the lowest of the SU Executive. Monaghan has fulfilled on promises such as holding a UCD Hell and Back, introducing Ents DJ Classes and running the entertainment focused SU ENTStagram. While he’s ran successful social events, Monaghan has so far failed to come through on many manifesto promises such as All Ireland Beer Pong Championship, SU Food Fair, a regular ENTS Podcast, Euro
Mile Charity Fundraiser, reviving the ENTS Facebook page, running campaigns around Drug Harm Reduction Through Awareness and Responsible Drinking amongst many other promises. Next, we come to Una Carroll, our Welfare Officer. So far, she’s completed 41% of her campaign promises. She’s successfully lobbied the university to reduce the waiting lists for campus mental health services, managed ongoing campaigns surrounding Disability awareness, sexual health and healthy eating, and works with the Access Centre to improve overall campus accessibility. Although Carroll has so far failed to come through with promises such as reviving the ‘House Hunterz’ student accommodation series, a
52%
The percentage of Union Manifesto Promises so far completed by SU Officers.
campus-wide consent survey and a Red Box Sanitary project; Carroll can be commended for her tireless work on individual student cases. Education Officer Brian Treacy has fulfilled 56% of his manifesto promises. Highlights include: helping students with SUSI grants, working with class reps to ensure lecture slides go up on time, working closely with the Careers Centre, etc. Some promises not yet fulfilled include: SU seminars to help students prepare for all forms of examinations, introduce standardised lecture recordings, introduce group chats for students to ask questions in modules. Treacy has been praised for his extensive case work in which he helps individual
News
Remembering Cormac Ó Braonáin
Big Reads
Student Stories: Living With Chronic Pain
Continued on page 6...
Culture
Upcoming Gigs
Photo Credit: UCDSU
UCD TAKE EASY
ROUTE IN EMPTY 5-YEAR STRATEGY Adam O’Sullivan Reporter
U
CD recently released their strategy document for the period 20202024. Named ‘Rising to the Future’ this document’s overall aim is to continue to flourish in an “age of unprecedented opportunity and challenge”. The strategy is based around four central themes that are said to shape every activity the
university engages in. The strategy is based around a forward-pointing arrow where strategic themes, key enablers and core objectives all facilitate the attainment of strategic goals. In a similar way to their previous strategy UCD fail to present a clear, precise and explicit document of their five-year vision. They are once again awfully ambiguous; they strive for non-numerical goals that are simply immeasurable and un-specific. Although
there is the odd numerical goal here and there, it seems UCD’s only strategy for the next five years is to remain un-accountable and arcane. Theme 1 is about Creating a Sustainable Global Society; UCD wishes to be a “living lab for a sustainable community” by engaging in research which advances sustainable development goals. The basis of Theme 2 is UCD’s aim to Transform through Digital Technology. UCD believes the continuing advancement of digital technology from AI to cloud computing will allow the university to pursue anticipated or unexpected opportunities and challenges. The Continued on page 5...
Record Level Grants see UCD’s Revenue Grow Ian Walsh Reporter
U
CD has cast a solidifying blow of reassurance towards a recent wave of concerns over the level of funding available to third-level educational institutions in Ireland, with the fiscal year ending 2018 boasting a rise in both income and annual surplus. The college’s annual surplus saw a €3.1 million increase over 12 months, reaching €35.2 million. In Continued on page 7...
€122.4M The total figure for UCD-based research grants received in 2018.
€587.1M The total income for UCD in 2018, up by 6% on 2017.
Sport
UCD Sports Run Down
2
Editorial
Editorial
W
elcome back to another Trimester in UCD. We hope you’re ready for another round of news, scandal, stories and big reads. Come to the Tribune first for Independent Student Reporting. Our leading stories: The Students’ Union are coming into election season in a short couple months. With the year promptly coming to a close, and all eyes looking towards candidates to lead the SU for another year, we’ve totted up how this year’s bunch are doing based on their initial promises. The sabbatical officers have so far fulfilled 52% of their manifesto promises. Although collectively the team has suffered a scandal-less year, these figures prompt harsher criticism on the reliability SU candidate manifestos. Over the break, an incident may have gone under your radar. Catholic public speaker, author and co-founder of the ‘Chastity Project,’ Jason Evert was due to speak in UCD at the ‘Incite 2020’ event. After calls came from the UCD LGBTQ+ Society to cancel Evert’s planned visit, and due to public pressure against the American’s visit to Ireland, UCD caved and rescinded his invitation. Our Editorial on page 5 expresses why we believe this to be a foolish and dangerous decision. Evert’s ideas should have been open to debate, discuss and refute if students wished to do so. UCD has pandered to a growing culture of no-platforming and stolen away our opportunity to engage in open discourse within the university. UCD has launched their strategy
Contact Us Editor@collegetribune.ie +353 1 716 8501 PO Box 74, Student Centre, UCD, Belfield Dublin 4 Letters to the Editor should be sent via email and no longer than 300 words.
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
The Team College Tribune 06.33
for 2020-2024. Named ‘Rising to the Future’, this strategy fails to hit the mark for a solid five-year plan. Unfortunately, the strategy lacks substance, concreate promises and numerical goals. The strategy comes off as some sort of bizarre and disassociated PR flier which lacks any real grounding in solving the pressing issues that students talk about every day. Its overall ideas should be praised, but without any concrete numbers to publicly strive towards, no measurable progress can be made. It remains no more than a front for UCD’s public image. An alliance of student political societies have collaborated to form ‘Fix our Education UCD.’ The group aims to bring attention to the lack of adequate funding to third level education and to the alleged misappropriation of those funds. Some criticisms are of UCD’s spending on luxury flights, the reconstruction and redecoration of President Andrew Deeks’ office and the costly construction of UCD’s University Club. In this Issue, we have also revamped our Sport Section. We have changed our content to favour UCD clubs and the commendable and notable achievements coming out of Belfield. If you’d like to get in touch with updates on your club, contact the Editor at editor@collegetribune.ie Enjoy the read Conor
EDITOR’S PICKS
Alex Lohier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deputy Editor
Exceptional Student and Labour Youth Chair Who Made an Impact
18
Dugh Hooley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turbine
By Katie McNulty
UCD Take Easy Route in Empty 5-year Strategy
1&5
www.collegetribune.ie
Aisling MacAree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Features Conor Paterson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Politics Adam Boland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Science
By Adam O’Sullivan
Cecily Nic Cionnaith . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gaeilge
Opinion: Who Cares About the Student Union anyway?
14
By Lisa Frank Murnane
Student Stories: Living With Chronic Pain
Brigid Molloy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Film & TV
16
Mallika Venkatramani. . . . . . Arts & Lifestyle
Original Design Newspaper Produced By Samuel Mc Sherry By Conor Capplis @sms.studio
By Aisling Mac Aree
These Charming Women
Aaron Collier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philosophy Matthew Derwin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Music
27
Why the new Little Women is the better one
News Tips Sometimes the best news story is right under your nose. For any news tips, on and off campus, please contact the editor via social media, telephone, email, or traditional mail.
@collegetribune
Patrick Doherty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Business Rob Ó Beacháin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Law
By Brigid Molloy
Connect With Us
Conor Capplis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Editor
Alternatively, you’re welcome to stop by our Newman Building Office.
Contributors Adam O’Sullivan Reporter Ian Walsh Reporter Luke Murphy Reporter & Music Richard Cunningham Reporter Alessia Mennitto Reporter Hugh Dooley Reporter Mahnoor Choudhry Reporter Katie McNulty UCD Labour Paul Ward Associate Professor Law Shane Clune Turbine Andrew Beaks Turbine Evan Stevens Turbine Lisa Frank Murnane Opinion Blathnaid Corless Opinion & Politics Róisín Ryan Features Soundharya Kumaresan Science Nicholas Lane Music Nicolas Murphy Music Niall O’Shaughnessy Music Euan Lindsay Music Gemma Farrell Film & TV Áine Burke Film & TV Alex Mulhare Film & TV Ciarán Crowther Sport Sarah Escalante Sport Emily Ann Sport Mark Carolan Sport Neil Stokes Sport
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
Contents
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
3
Write For Us. Go to www.collegetribune.ie or email editor@collegetribune.ie
Union Keep Half Their Promises By Conor Capplis
1 Opinion: Who Cares About the Student Union anyway? By Lisa Frank Murnane
UCD Take Easy Route in Empty 5-year Strategy
1
By Adam O’Sullivan
7
By Katie McNulty
How will my vote affect my college life?
By Euan Lindsay
Film Review: 18 Just Mercy By Áine Burke
20
By Cecily Nic Cionnaith
8
UCD Club 26 Updates & Fixtures
By Blathnaid Corless
An Ghaeilge le feiceáil i UCD
By Hugh Dooley
Exceptional Student and Labour Youth Chair Who Made an Impact
Student Stories: Living With Chronic Pain
14 COMMENT: 31 25 UCD Bears Amongst RTÉ Off to Closures, Running Radio Should Start be Revived By Ciarán Crowther 16
By Aisling Mac Aree
EDITORIAL: The Disinvitation of 5 Jason Evert was a Grave Mistake Left Wing Alliance Issue Demands to UCD to ‘Fix Our Education’
Culture Sport
Big Reads
News
Wakey Wakey... time to philosophize!
Finding Meaning in Your Morning Routine By Aaron Collier
28
SPOTLIGHT: UCD’s Artsy Societies
29
By Mallika Venkatramani
Restaurant Review Uno Mas
By Alex Lohier
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32
News UCD Strategy Once Again Equivocal and Imprecise
Student Union Officers Have So Far Fulfilled 52% of Manifesto Promises
Why You Should Care About Your Data
I
Adam Boland Science Editor
n 2018, the world was shaken when it was revealed that the data of up to 87 million Facebook users had been harvested by a political consulting firm called Cambridge Analytica (CA) which had done work for Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. CA had been co-founded by Steve Bannon, the Breitbart disinformation mogul and later senior advisor to Trump who also served as CA’s vice president. The scandal prompted a sharp drop in Facebook use, with the Guardian reporting that since the news broke, actions on Facebook such as likes, shares and posts have dropped by almost 20%. One problem with data protection is that the average person doesn’t think about the nefarious ways in which their data can be used and thus does not view their data as sensitive. What could a criminal want with Facebook pictures of me
cooking a meal in my kitchen or going on holiday? Well, the cooking picture lets the criminal know where you live, and the holiday picture lets them know that you’re not at home. For a thief, that is an information goldmine. In fact, when the internet was invented by Tim Berners-Lee, his first choice of name was ‘The Information Mine’. This, however, was largely so that the initials would spell his name; ‘TIM’. It is easy to think that our personal data is useless, but there are people in this world who can think of very dangerous uses indeed. Whether it is used to influence an election, suppress the human rights of those living under oppressive regimes, steal an identity or blackmail someone, it is worth remembering that our data is valuable. Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram are not free. You pay with your data. If they were truly free, Mark Zuckerberg would not be worth 74 billion dollars.
T
he total calls made to the UCD ‘’Walk Safe Service’’ have decreased by 62% over the last three years, the College Tribune reports. Figures acquired by the College Tribune of calls made to the ‘’UCD Walk Safe Service’’ from the years 2017 to 2019 show that the frequency of calls requesting the service have steadily declined over the last three years. The service, which offers the UCD community ‘’walking escort services from one campus location to another’’ fully PSA licensed individuals, saw a large
spike in the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017 following an alleged rape incident on the UCD campus in November 2016. Since then, the amount of calls made by UCD staff or student members to the service have shrunk, insinuating that the wider UCD community feel more comfortable walking around the campus in the dark. This is undoubtedly good news for the university population, its reputation and its brand image. The ‘’Walk Safe Service’’ aims to make UCD students and staff ‘’who feel a need to be assisted with this added level of security and safety’’ feel safe whilst
Belfield Papers Case Closed? Conor Capplis - Editor
BELFIELD PAPERS: The sensitive documents lay open and unattended, with unsupervised student access to the area.
Walk Safe Calls Down by 62% since 2017 Alex Lohier Deputy Editor
Record Level Grants see UCD’s Revenue Grow
walking through campus in the dark. With the numbers of people requesting the service dwindling, perhaps their offerings have worked. Hopefully this trend contin-
ues downward and the UCD community gains full confidence in the safety of the environment in which they live, work and study.
In November 2019, the College Tribune discovered highly sensitive UCD documents open to student access. Included in these files were payroll reports, employee bank account details, PPS numbers and details of TD donations to student political societies. After the UCD Data Protection Office (DPO) investigated into the matter, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) was informed by the university with a late breach notification. Following several weeks of liaising with UCD on this matter, DPC spokesperson Graham Doyle confirmed on December 6th that the DPC “issued recommendations to the college and the matter is now closed.” This comes after the university provided extensive information to the DPC on the steps taken following this incident. The data breach known to the Tribune as ‘the Belfield Papers’ is reportedly still under investigation within the university, but these accounts are unconfirmed. The incident occurred when a storage room under construction in UCD Student Centre was discovered to have a large collection of unattended UCD Employee and Student files. UCD Musical Society were also found to have unattended access to this space. Included in the sensitive documentation were: payroll reports, employee bank account details, PPS numbers, employee Revenue and Social Insurance Numbers, details of TD donations to student political societies, documents regarding student disciplinary hearings, UCD Societies grant applications and UCD Societies income and expenditure accounts. It is unclear whether the university has contacted the data subjects of this breach. With the potential of an internal investigation continuing within UCD, this raises questions on data management practices within the university.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
News
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EDITORIAL: The Disinvitation of Jason Evert was a Grave Mistake information to but to realise that your other options isn’t just to come out and make up your own rules with sexuality but you can actually lead a pure life with the grace of God. This option isn’t even proposed to people who struggle with these attractions.” After much media attention, UCD caved to these calls and rescinded Evert’s invitation to speak at the event. We believe this decision to be a grave mistake, providing another example of university authorities pandering to vocal groups by no-platforming a speaker. Such a process is doing damage to free speech and debate on campuses that cannot be understated. Although Evert’s views on chastity would have expected to be opposed by a number of university students, it is the purpose of this institution to provide a platform for open discourse and debate, and students should have been free to debate his ideas. UCD’s decision is a clear betrayal of the sanctity
of the university as a hub for open discourse. A number of Evert’s other talks in Ireland were also cancelled in similar examples of protest. His eventual cancellation of his entire trip to Ireland culminated in an online statement explaining
“
UCD’s decision is a clear betrayal of the sanctity of the university as a hub for open discourse.
his inability to travel “due to illness.” Section 1 of the UCD Student Charter contains the following promise: “Provide an environment where free speech, independent thought, academic freedom and integrity are fundamental principles.” UCD has acted against these principles by stealing away the opportunity for debate from stu-
UCD Strategy Once Again Equivocal and Imprecise university wishes to continue to be recognised as an innovator. The third theme is about Building a Healthy World. UCD plans to utilise the One Health concept as well as building on the Healthy UCD initiative by making health and well-being programmes available to all. UCD strive to understand human thinking through their fourth theme; Empowering Humanity. Through this they will be more able to overcome challenges such as mental health or isolationism. As Ireland’s Global University UCD also wishes to further advance this agenda of a diversified student body. In order to achieve its vision UCD has put in place four core objectives to pursue during the five-year period. For each core objective UCD have defined key performance indicators and targets. These core objectives are focused around topics ranging from research and innovation to students and faculty, educational experience and international engagement are also addressed within these objectives. In order for UCD to achieve the vision outlined
in their themes and objectives they have identified six key enablers. Recruiting additional staff members and building world class facilities are among these enablers. The university also wish to generate additional non-exchequer income in order to be capable to pursue these enablers. With the reveal of this strategy UCD has also published a document outlining the results of their previ-
vague goals and then hope such goals can be proven by numerical results five years later. For a strategy to hold merit and esteem it must provide legitimate numerical goals that are strived for and hope to be achieved. Therefore when the strategy has run its course, after five years in this case, such goals can be compared against the actual results. This will allow one to estab-
“
UCD are taking an easy route in portraying their vision, so they’re not held culpable for any failures.
“
...Continued from cover
ous one. This document is brimming with justifiable achievement, backed up by numerical data which prove improvements have been made. However, five years ago when the strategy was first published these future achievements were solely goals in words and not in numbers; this proves that in outlining their vision, UCD love to assemble a bundle of
dents. Evert’s ideas may be disagreeable to some students, but to take a decisive stance towards silence rather than enlightening debate, is symptomatic of a university that cares about its image over its duty to educate and embolden the next genera-
“
J
ason Evert, a US Catholic author and public speaker was recently due to speak ..........at the UCD ‘Incite 2020’ event on 16th January. Evert is the co-founder of the ‘Chastity Project’ in which he promotes chastity amongst young people, as well as other catholic values. This talk was part of a planned tour to Ireland. A tour that unfortunately never happened. In an online statement, the UCD LGBTQ+ Society called on UCD authorities to stop Evert from speaking at Incite 2020. They said that by inviting him, UCD were “putting the safety of UCD’s LGBTQ+ community at risk,” and that his views and “hateful ideology” could do “lasting untold damage.” Evert has been criticised for his views on homosexuality. In one previous talk he said: “The Catholic Church [says] you can acknowledge you have same-sex attractions, you can tell your family members or whoever it is you care to disclose that
lish whether the strategy has been a legitimate success or an unfortunate failure, the following strategy can then be altered to allow for extra emphasis on certain aspects of vision which were not fully achieved in the previous strategy. UCD are taking an easy route in portraying their vision, so they’re not held culpable for any failures.
tion. UCD has terms and conditions for the invitation of speakers to university events. Section 5 contains the statement: “If in the University’s reasonable opinion, the event being held at UCD may prejudice the reputation of the University, the Management reserves the right to cancel the event.” One could argue that by in-
viting Evert, this may prejudice the reputation of UCD, and therefore provides a justification for cancelling the event. But conversely, the disinvitation of Evert has stolen the opportunity for students to debate and vigorously contest his ideas, ultimately suppressing free speech on campus. This decision paints a clear picture of where UCD’s priorities lie: in maintaining its public image, over protecting the importance of free and truthful discourse on-campus. The decision to disinvite Evert has certainly made a prejudice of UCD’s reputation. We call on UCD to adopt a Freedom of Speech Statement modelled on the University of Chicago’s policy. Such a step from the university would help prevent these tragedies from happening again in the future. It could be addressed as follows: “UCD’s fundamental commitment is to the principle that debate or deliberation may not be supressed because the ideas put forth
are thought by some or even by most members of the UCD community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. It is for the individual members of the UCD community, not for UCD as an institution, to make those judgements for themselves, and to act on those judgements not by seeking to supress speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose.” Former president of Brown University, Ruth Simmons, once said: “One’s voice grows stronger in encounters with opposing views. […] The collision of views and ideologies is in the DNA of the academic enterprise. We do not need any collision avoidance technology here.” The university is not an intellectual ‘safe space’ but rather a chaos of alternating views all mashed up together, and it is the duty of the institution to facilitate the debate and open discourse of these views, nothing is more valuable to the pursuit of truth.
News
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The Newsstand Alex Lohier Women in Leadership Event The fifth UCD Women in Leadership Conference will take place on 13 February 2020, in O’Reilly Hall at UCD. Speakers will share their career journeys and inspire other women on their own career paths. UCD students can avail of a 90% discount by using discount code WiLStudent2020.
UCD Careers Network Event On Wednesday, 22 January from 11am2:30pm, the UCD Careers Network are hosting an event to help students find out more about the careers services available on campus.
Choirs for Cancer Choirs for Cancer 2020 will bring together cancer patients, advocates, survivors and family members to share the story of their cancer journey, interspersed with inspirational songs by choirs from across the island of Ireland. Head to O’Reilly Hall on February 4th of February to see this event.
UCD Smarter Travel Group Event The Smarter Travel Group, with the assistance of An Garda Síochána, ran two evening “Light Up Your Bike” events on 21 & 23 January. They provided campus cyclists with free emergency backup lights to help get them home safely.
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
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Volume 33 - Issue 06
STUDENT UNION OFFICERS HAVE SO FAR FULFILLED 52% OF MANIFESTO PROMISES ...Continued from cover students with their academic needs. The Welfare and Education Officers spend a large amount of their working time on individual student cases, an invaluable service to students, but evidently holds back their ability to follow through on some time-consuming election promises. Student Union President, Joanna Siewierska, has so far come through with 62% of her election promises. Siewierksa has successfully come through on the majority of her core election promises, proving reliable to follow through on her manifesto. She has fulfilled promises to support the women and non-binary in politics group, support students in finding accommodation, promote sustainable initiatives such as the Great Donate, lobby for increase in higher education funding from the government, support students during first few weeks of college, etc. So far she hasn’t fulfilled election promises to run focus groups for students for students running campaigns
on campus, establish a housing rights group to support students facing issues with landlords and increase staff for the UCD Health Service. The strengths of Siewierska as UCDSU President are evident, with a fairly scandal-less year for the union so far. Campaigns & Engagement Officer, Katie O’Dea, pulls ahead of the pack with a 64% completion rate on her election promises. O’Dea has so far done things like work with estate services to introduce more waste segregation facilities, increase use of videos across social media platforms and push for affordable accommodation, amongst other things. She has failed so far at introducing more gender-neutral bathrooms to UCD, ensuring the SU website is up-to-date and increase SU events outside of the student centre. O’Dea has proved a strong C&E Officer so far, but time will tell on how much union ‘engagement’ will have increased under her watch. The clear outlier in this group, Graduate Officer Conor Anderson, has effectively followed through with all 5 promises he made in his
52%
The number of Union Manifesto Promises so far completed by SU Officers.
election manifesto. Anderson promised to do things such as change the way the Union engages with graduate reps and increase cooperation between the union and Smurfit Ambassadors. It’s hard to criticise fulfilling a manifesto that promised very little compared to his peers. Anderson has certainly filled the role differently to his two-year predecessor Niall Torris, but can be praised for his effectiveness in reaching out to graduates. A highlight of his term so far has been supporting the UCD Anti-Casualisation group who have been campaigning this year for better pay for graduate students. So far, this year has been chugging along comparatively nicely when looking back at previous SU teams (i.e. Ascough Fiasco). Most are on track to fulfil the majority of their manifesto promises, the outlier being Tom Monaghan who promised a considerable amount which hasn’t been touched on yet. The hope is for our band of ‘merry men’ to come through on their words before their time is up in the Union, or else why should we trust the next lot who promise us the moon and back?
Tom Monaghan
Entertainments Officer
29% Úna Carroll
Welfare Officer
41%
Conor Anderson
Katie O’Dea
Joanna Siewierska
Brian Treacy
Graduate Officer
Campaigns & Engagement Officer
President
Education Officer
100% 64%
62%
56%
IUA Expand Scholarship Opportunities for Young Scientists Luke Murphy Reporter
O
ne of the most prominent youth competitions in Ireland, the ‘BT Young Scientist and Technologist Exhibition, has received a huge boost from the Irish University’s Association (IUA). The association, which includes UCD among other prestigious third level institutions, have expanded the scholarship scheme in order to encourage participation from secondary schools across the country. In a statement from the IUA, they have expanded the
prizes to include a scholarship of 1000 euro to the overall runners up of the senior individual and group categories. This is on top of a 2000-euro scholarship to the overall winner, and a 1000euro scholarship to both of the senior category winners. This is in order to recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements of BT Young Scientist students. These categories include: Biological and Ecological sciences; chemical, physical, and mathematical sciences; social and behavioural sciences; and technology. Shay Walsh, managing
director of BT Ireland further revealed to us that the IUA has provided “entrance scholarships to 40 students since 2015, and the expansion announcement is a further boost to the positive impact we can have on young peoples’ education and lives.” A record breaking 3773 students from across the country participated in the 2019 edition of the competition, and with the scholarship scheme expansion being announced, the participation numbers are only going to increase. The expansion allows students to choose from one
of seven colleges that they may not have initially gotten the chance to attend. It encourages students from every corner of the country to enter into the exhibition, it has also taken some of the weight off their shoulders as they know it is not a complete win or bust mentality. Furthermore, the expansion is of great advantage to the seven universities available for selection, as the addition of a BTYS&TE winner or runner up would be a huge boost to the prestige of a chosen college. Such a scheme narrows the divide between second and third level institutions and pro-
motes the pursuit of achieving a place in an IUA college. According to Lewis Purser, IUA Director of Learning, Teaching and Academic Affairs, with categories that tackle pressing issues right now in the world, including climate change and technology receiving scholarships, the scheme is “designed to encourage and support the participation by ambitious groups and individuals across our post-primary schools… in addressing the major societal challenges which Ireland and the world are currently facing.”
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Small Socs! The Politics & International Relations Society (PolSoc) Richard Cunningham Reporter
T
oday’s Small-Soc’s piece takes a look at the UCD Politics and International Relations Society (PolSoc). Founded in 2016, PolSoc is one of the university’s fastest growing societies with an ever-increasing membership already having reached 400+ members. Aiming to provide an inclusive ‘environment and platform for students, especially for the members of the society interested in Politics & International Relations, in collaboration with expert staff of UCD’, the Politics and International Relations society hosts a number
of events ranging from panel discussions and interactive workshops to coffee mornings and more. Becoming involved with the societies and clubs on campus presents students with the opportunity to get-out-there, have a blast and enhance your overall University experience in the company of your fellow students and friends alike. The wide scope of events that ‘PolSoc’ offer can certainly help you there! Back in October of Trimester One, members both senior and new came along to the UN Walking Debate conducted by PolSoc. The society’s enthusiastic team aim to offer a space for ‘members to develop
News
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
2016 One of UCD’s younger societies, PolSoc was founded in 2016.
their skills academically, in a leadership and a team focused nature’. The interactive nature of the event invited participants to engage in discussion based on the thought-provoking motions concerning the formation and operation of the UN as well as its impact upon every-day lives of its citizens. I must admit that I was struck by the range of arguments put forward both in favour and opposed to the current composition of the UN Security Council as well as the UN’s current role in promoting sustainable development among its 193 member states. Also, PolSoc hosts regular ‘coffee mornings’ providing freshly brewed FrenchPress Coffee no less, along with a variety of newspapers for you to indulge. Senior Committee member Eoin encourages students from ‘all-walks of campus life’ to part-take on the fun and proclaims that PolSoc hosts
‘the best-coffee -morning on campus’. Trimester two sees PolSoc continuing build on what has been a successful term on campus. Members can expect further opportunities to engage and debate the most relevant global and domestic issues of our time. Members will gain unprecedented access by invitation to exclusive events such as those hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). Students and members are asked to ‘Watch this space’. Well, exciting times lie ahead for the Politics & International Relations Society here at UCD. Readers can keep up to date with all-things PolSoc by following them on Instagram @ucdpolsoc, Twitter @ucd_polsoc, or Facebook including all news and exciting announcements of one of the campus’ most impressive student societies that is the UCD Politics and International Relations Society.
VEGGIE OR ELSE: UCD VEGETARIAN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Alessia Mennitto Reporter
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he trend of going green has been growing exponentially in recent years and UCD students have well endorsed the cause. Starting at the beginning of September 2019, the university has welcomed the Vegetarianism Awareness Campaign whose intent is to make students more sensible to the impact a small change in our diet can bring to ourselves and the planet. The campaign is all about raising awareness about the consequences of reducing meat consumption and dairy products while embracing a conscious and sustainable lifestyle. It is carried out primarily via their Facebook page where several posts have been constantly uploaded. However, the number of people following the page (179) is still
relatively small compared to the student presence on campus. One of the possible causes can be linked to the content of these posts that do not fully engage the public. Despite being quite impactful in delivering its message, there is a degree of ambivalence in the terms used. Going vegetarian and going vegan are both sustainable and ethical choices but there is a strong difference in that those adhering to the latter lifestyle do not consume any animal-derived products. In order to avoid confusion in students approaching these new habits, the campaign should change its name into one encompassing both vegetarianism and veganism. Another aspect that can be improved concerns the style of the posts promoted. The underlying claim advanced is that the campaign is not forcing students to become vegan or vegetarian, but the tone is sometimes
strong. Indeed, in some posts the act of eating meat is demonised since it is associated with cruelty and guilt. Particularly, the campaign largely plays on the pain felt by animals through cartoon images to persuade possible vegetarians and vegans. What is effective though is that the irony used in some of the comic strips makes the viewer think about how animals are mistreated in intensive livestock farming. The effectiveness of the campaign does not just lie in using satire to highlight the ethical implications of going green. Promoting initiatives, tips to support this movement, and articles to inform about the benefits gained is also a smart
tactic to attract newcomers and spreading awareness. However, to get the most resonance throughout UCD the campaign needs more active student participation and direct involement.
Record Level Grants see UCD’s Revenue Grow
...Continued from cover
addition to these promising figures, total income for the year also saw a 6 percent rise from the previous period, totalling at €587.1 million. Professor Andrew Deeks, president of UCD, has stated that this was the most successful year on record with regards to obtaining research grants for the college. UCD received €122.4 million in research grants alone throughout 2018, more than a 25 percent increase. Comparatively, this
figure is €5.5 million greater than the previous record for research grant income in a single year. These high yielding revenue figures were also driven by a receipt of €68.7 million in state grants, up €6.7 million from the previous year, as well as an increase in academic fees for the year, which reported an €11.3 million increase to €230.8 million. Cash and bank balances at year end also saw a 4.2 percent increase, reaching €139.5 million, whilst the college’s borrowings were
down 6.4 percent at €62.9 million. Notably the UCD Foundation, the independent charity run by college staff and students which looks to raise funding for UCD, does not have its financial records included in the consolidated accounts. Expenditure costs also experienced marginal increases throughout the year. Capital expenditure came in at €38.3 million, with a large proportion of investments going towards the development of student accommodation. This coincides with the col-
€552.1M The total expenditure for UCD in 2018, up by 5.8%
€62.9M
The amount borrowed by UCD in 2018, down by 6.4%
lege’s residential masterplan, aiming to house up to 6000 students in newly developed properties. Total expenditure for the year was recorded at €552.1 million, showing a 5.8 percent increase. UCD’s ‘Global Engagement Strategy’ also experienced a significantly positive year, as it saw the opening of a Dubai based Global Centre, which now becomes the fifth UCD Global Centre in the world.
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Left Wing Alliance Issue Demands to UCD to ‘Fix Our Education’ Hugh Dooley Reporter An alliance of political groups based in UCD have begun a poster campaign which is calling upon the college’s management to address issues such as disability services, affordable accommodation and improved mental health services. The group, which calls itself ‘Fix our Education UCD’, is a collaboration of UCD’s Labour, Social Democrat, Óige Ghlas and Socialist Worker Student Societies. Speaking exclusively to the College Tribune, Fix our Education explained that UCD need to “put the welfare of students at the heart of spending decisions”. The group’s posters brought attention to the fact that UCD spent €960,000 on “luxury flights” and “only €1,006,000 on Student Health and Counselling”. The group also questioned how UCD can afford to spend 7.5 million euros redecorating the office of UCD President Andrew Deeks, a further 14 million euros building a private club for UCD alumni and achieve a budget surplus of 30 million euros while simultaneously failing to properly fund campus mental health services. The campaign is challenging UCD’s budgetary decisions around the affordability of “on-campus accommodation” which they claim is the most expensive in Ireland. The group is highlighting UCD’s recent budget surpluses during a period in which they claim the university’s student population “have experienced a massive rise in the cost of living”. Speaking to the Tribune, Fix our Education described the current state of campus disability services as “wholly inadequate” adding that the administration “has failed to properly resource the Access Centre and the Student Health and Counselling Centre”. The group is demanding solutions to the aforementioned issues stating that “the Student Union has made reasonable and achievable suggestions to provide subsidised accommodation on campus, and properly resource essential student welfare services”. According to the group, these recommendations have been “largely ignored and disregarded”. The campaign’s full list of demands can be found on their Facebook page, Fix our Education UCD. The poster campaign is the first step in a series of actions which the group will be undertaking in the coming weeks to fight for affordable housing and other essential campus services.
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News
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
Exceptional Student and Labour Youth Chair Who Made an Impact Cormac Ó Braonáin Born: August 20th, 2000 Died: December 15th, 2019
Katie McNulty Chairperson UCD Labour
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ormac truly was an exceptional person. I have been involved with Labour for just over a year but I hadn’t met Cormac until I started in UCD this year. Although I hadn’t actually been introduced to Cormac, his reputation preceded him. I had heard all about this young fresher who had resurrected UCD Labour and was running essentially a one man show, and excelling at it too. All of this hype around him had actually led me to feel slightly intimidated when accepting to help him run the UCD Labour stall during Freshers Week. However, I was instantly put at ease by his cheeky grin and friendly aura. As our friendship strengthened over the coming months I was really taken aback by Cormac’s character. Cormac always squeezed the most out of his day, going so far as to skip meals and sacrifice sleep, but he always made everyone feel as though he had all the time in the world to
spend time with them. I suppose this has been proven by the overwhelming attendance at his funeral. Even social media has been flooded with the love people had for Cormac. He was an integral part to so many communities; UCD, Colaiste Eoin, Scouts, Labour and Labour Youth, his family, and many more. Cormac was certainly one of the most important parts of my life. Over our friendship Cormac and I discovered how scarily similar we were. From having the exact same Myers Briggs personality type to our love of Lorde’s “Sober II”. When a group of friends and I were exchanging stories about Cormac I shared one of the most bizarre moments of our friendship. At the end of November I was in the midst of a horrific cold that had shut me off from society for at least 3 days and texting Cormac was the only form of human contact I had. I woke up from one of my death naps and the first notification I clicked into on my phone was an email from Cormac which simply said; “Dear Katie, I wish to inform you that you have been cancelled. Get well soon, Cormac xx”. I have never been more confused yet amused by an email in my life.
Within Labour Youth, Cormac was one of the most respected members. When joining UCD Cormac found that UCD Labour was in slight disarray and had no choice other than to set out helping to regrow the society. Being an Auditor of a society while you are in first year is quite the accomplishment, but while doing that as well as managing a successful local election campaign for Mary Freehill at 18 is extraordinary. Cormac’s attendance at rallies and protests was second to
none. Cormac would always be front and centre either raising the labour flag high or leading chants over his (own personal) megaphone. Cormac was far greater than just a comrade to the members of Labour Youth; he was a friend. I can only speak from a personal perspective, but I presume it’s the same for many others that my life now holds a massive Cormac-shaped hole. Cormac’s death is not just a loss to UCD, it’s a loss to Irish society.
Pictured Above: Cormac and Katie
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
Two Media Giants Who Shaped Modern Ireland Mahnoor Choudhry Reporter
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ince its conception in 1960, RTÉ has had a leading role in the progression of Irish society. What RTÉ has done in its broadcasting of Irish issues and Irish culture, has been a celebration of Irishness. However this celebration can be credited to a generation of broadcasters who truly moulded this broadcasting platform into the much loved staple in our homes, today. RTÉ has seen the end of an era, with such renowned broadcasters passing in recent times. The moulding of our culture and society over time has been analysed, reported on and captured through these loved broadcasters, Marian Finucane and Larry Gogan. Larry Gogan passed away on the 7th of January 2020 after a career of more than 40 years as a radio broadcaster on RTÉ. A lover of music above all, Larry showed immense support for Irish musicians. He broadcast the
very first record on RTÉ in 1979 and made great efforts to publicise Irish voices and musicians. Larry was perhaps most famous for his show, ‘The Golden Hour’, during which he played old favourites and classics. His infectious passion for music from Ireland certainly helped Irish names to gain fame, such as Larry Mullen from U2. Marian Finucane will be one of the most memorable broadcasters in RTÉ history, as a woman who sought representation in Irish broadcasting and one who fearlessly engaged controversies of the day. She has widely been regarded as the ‘feminist trailblazer’, who played a key role in the women’s movement in Ireland and indeed social change as a whole. Marian Finucane paved a path of activism in her student years, a passion which was echoed in many of the shows she hosted. Her empathy and drive for reform will be remembered fondly.
Talented lecturer who made significant contribution to UCD Paul Anthony McDermott Born: February 4th, 1972 Died: December 10th, 2019
Paul Ward Associate Professor Law
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knew Paul Anthony for just over 28 years as an undergraduate, postgraduate and colleague here at UCD Sutherland. The Undergraduate In 1991 Paul Anthony McDermott commenced his legal studies in Roebuck Castle. It did not take long for the exuberant personality to emerge from the student cohort. His sharp intellect became quite evident in an exam seminar at the end of the academic year. As a newly appointed lecturer in the Law of Tort the student body had no past examination papers to gauge the nature of the exam facing them. Paul Anthony in attempting to assist the student body asked the lecturer a most convoluted triple negative rhetorical question in an attempt to squeeze out
a topic or two of the material being examined. The ploy almost worked till realization dawned that any response to question as framed would divulge valuable information about the exam questions. It was obvious then where Paul Anthony was destined after his academic legal studies. I recall him in 2nd BCL and an answer to a nullity question which defied his years in terms of his analysis and insightful comments on the development of the law which a seasoned academic would be proud of (exam scripts back then had the student name printed on the cover). Perhaps the most telling memory of his early academic year was the exam board meeting in June of 1994. First Class honours were rare then and usually achieved by the preponderance rule (3 from 5 firsts and two 2:1s). Not so Paul Anthony, the clearest of Firsts with 5 from 5 and not mere 70%s. It still remains one of the most extraordinary exam
performances in the Law School history. During his undergraduate days he won a Bank of Ireland Medal each year and the Royal and Sun Alliance Gold Medal for the Tort essay. The Postgraduate Paul applied for an LLM in Cambridge and I had the task of wording a reference to give him the edge in the application. I recall using the punchline that “UCD’s loss would be Cambridge’s gain”. Paul achieved a first class honour’s degree and awarded the Sir William Wade award. Likewise at the King’s Inns he came first in his class and awarded the John Brooke Scholarship. His PhD on Res Judicata was supervised by Emeritus Professor and former Dean Paul O’Connor who I recall telling me that McDermott would arrive on a fortnightly basis with “wheelbarrow load of material” for him to read. Paul Anthony completed his PhD in two years. Yet another extraordinary achievement.
The Barrister Much has been spoken of these achievements elsewhere and it is difficult to add to these but suffice it say a highly respected member of both the Inner and Outer bar. His practice started with Law Society disciplinary work and soon State work followed. He was retained in the Judge Curtin affair in his early years at the bar. The Colleague Paul Anthony began lecturing Tort and we would have engaging discussions on this topic often as he was just an office down the corridor in Roebuck Castle. He was adored by the student body for his clarity of lecturing on difficult concepts and always where possible with humour and good spirit. He was a gifted communicator. He was also a prolific researcher and writer. I think he had two weighty tomes published on Contract Law and Prison Law within one year of his appointment to the then Faculty of Law in 1999 / 2000.
The Person Never not a smile and always a warm friendly greeting from Paul Anthony. A most obliging and helpful individual for whom no favour to be done was too onerous. A gracious gentleman of immense integrity, intelligence, oratory and simple common goodness.
To his wife Annick, his sons Harry and Andrew, his mother Margaret and his brother and our colleague here at UCD Sutherland, James, I extend on UCD’s and UCD Sutherland School of Law’s behalf our deepest of sympathies on the passing of Paul Anthony. May he rest in peace.
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Business
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
Exciting Semester UCD Lyons Farm Receive €3m For UCD’s Student Investment for New AgTech Hub Managed Fund Patrick Doherty Business Editor
Patrick Doherty Business Editor
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he UCD Student Managed Fund is a subset of the Investors and Entrepreneurs Society, managing a sum of around €30,000. During the first semester, the fund was split up into several teams, each analysing a different sector or aspect of the economy. Each team was responsible for drafting a pitch book, which would be
presented to the managers and CEO of the fund. After careful consideration, the fund then decided on several stocks to buy, from sectors ranging from technology to oil and commodities. The fund is hoping to build on a successful first semester, by continuing its impressive returns against the S & P 500, as well as its charitable history, in donating a large portion of its returns to deserving causes.
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CD Lyons Farm in Co Kildare will be the site for a new ag-tech research hub. The project was awarded a 3m investment from the Regional Enterprise Development Fund through NovaUCD who were amongst 26 successful applicants to receive funding under the third round of the development fund. The UCD Lyons Farm comprises of 250ha of land
with a broad range of facilities, both educational and commercial and is located between Celbridge and Newcastle. The centre will be developed in conjunction with Kildare County Council and Kildare LEO, AIB as well as agri-companies including Devenish, Dairymaster and Glanbia. Tom Flanagan from NovaUCD echoed the excitement surrounding the project and the innovation in the sector, “The global ag-tech sector is ripe for disruption and Ireland now
Start-Up Spotlight:
Alex Lohier Deputy Editor
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earless Media is a small production company which creates engaging video content for businesses looking to bring a story to life, and was founded by Thomas Arnold in 2019. The name might sound familiar to you; Thomas is also a vlogger/ YouTuber/TikTokker who produces skits and videos around UCD and Dublin.
Having had a passion for videography from a young age, Thomas turned his passion into a business, all whilst remaining a Commerce student in UCD. As I sit in his new office in the city-centre of Dublin, I wonder what got him there, other than hard work and determination. Thomas attributes his current position to consistently providing value to others. At 15 years old, having realised he could make money from videos, he began offering pro-
spective clients a free video. If he did a good job, they would typically come back as fee-paying clients. Nowadays, he claims the quality of his work to be reliant on his passion for a project; the ones which he truly cares for and gets excited about will generate videos which exemplify this. Thomas now has a parttime employee working to help him grow the business. He recognises his limitations, telling me he is not the best at filming and ed-
has a great opportunity to leverage its unique assets to develop innovative, job-creating ag-tech companies with global ambition.” The project is indicative of the innovative culture which NovaUCD is helping promote. The project is part of over 40m in funding from the REDF, announced by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD. The REDF was implemented in 2017 to encourage sustainable economic growth throughout Ireland. Humphreys stated “The Region-
al Enterprise Development Fund is about supporting every region to build on its unique strengths and ultimately create sustainable jobs. Collaboration is at its core, among the public and private sectors, within and across regions”. Projects such as this are integral to regional development, not just in the traditional economic hubs but equally across the country. NovaUCD continues to lead the way in investment and innovation amongst irish universities.
Fearless Media
iting, and he plans to bring more people into the business to perform these tasks to a higher standard than he had been when he was working on the business alone. Clearly, and much to his benefit, he is not afraid to ask for help where needs it, something many of us shy away from. Balancing college, a start-up and social commitments is a recurring point of discussion in this column. Thomas’s position differs slightly to that of others, in
the sense that he is not aiming for a 2:1. In his words, ‘’all I need is a pass’’, which frees up some time for him. But, more importantly, Thomas attributes his attitude towards work as a key differentiator; he enjoys what he does and has no qualms with working long hours and weekends. He focuses on harder projects, such as creatively-difficult assignments and business admin tasks, in the morning. This is followed by a break from lunch until the
afternoon, after which he will typically work a few more hours. If there’s one take-away from Fearless Media and Thomas Arnold, as he put it to me when I asked him, is that your business can be an extension of yourself. Find who it is you are and what you truly want to do, and you can make it work if you put the work in.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
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COLLEGE TRIBUNE
Big Brain Power Mastermind by Revive Active
This is a sponsored article*
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he brain is the most complicated structure we have yet to encounter in all of nature. Essentially, it is a living biological computer. Its job, every single day, is to absorb, process, store and recall on request, countless information. Therefore, it is understandable that as a result of the pressures of the modern world demanding increasingly more of our minds in increasingly less time, the job is more difficult now than ever. This holds particularly true for students – held to a higher standard of study, requiring for more information to be absorbed than ever before. In advance of exams and throughout collage semesters absorbing, processing, storing and recalling information on request is even more important and the more efficient the brain is the better prepared you are for the pressure of exams.
According to extensive research carried out by the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) the brain relies on nutritional components to perform its daily job to its optimum potential. The research being carried out was designed to understand what a memory is and how a memory is made within the brain. They discovered that for the brain to make a memory it needs to make connections. These connections are essential to the network of neurons (brain cells) which make up our entire brain. Research discovered the fuel for building memories and connections in our brain requires 3 important ingredients – omega 3 fatty acid DHA, uridine and choline. Supplementing balanced diets with Mastermind from Revive Active can help to boost the intake of these key ingredients.
Give yourself the best shot at achieving the results you want from your studies. Mastermind contains 11 active ingredients in each sachet including DHA powder, Uridine, Choline, Pantothentic Acid, Zinc, Vitamin B9 and Vitamin B6. It has been developed in conjunction with the Brain Performance Nutrition Centre at University of Northumbria and contributes to normal mental performance, normal cognitive function, the maintenance of normal brain function, the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal function of the nervous system and normal psychological function. One sachet really packs a punch. With 350mg of DHA in every sachet, Mastermind contains 100mg more than the recommended daily intake required to contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function, giving
you an extra boost of this vital nutrient for brain health. Revive Active source their DHA from sustainable marine algae which is also suitable for vegetarians. When free radicals damage cells throughout the body – including those im-
portant nerve cells in the brain needed for mental performance – the process is known as oxidative stress. Mastermind contains 80mg of Vitamin C and 12 mg of Vitamin E which both contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Mastermind also contains 2.5µg of Vitamin B12 which contributes to the normal function of the nervous system, 6mg of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) which contributes to normal mental performance and 5mg of Zinc which contributes to normal cognitive function. Mastermind is the ideal companion for an intensive study schedule. With no stimulants or plant extracts, it is easy to take in just one sachet a day, blended in juice or water. Developed and manufactured in Ireland Mastermind is available in a 12-sachet supply which lasts students one month, as it is recommended that students take 3 sachets per week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday. To find out more visit Procare Pharmacy on campus or reviveactive.com.
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Law
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
UN Orders Myanmar to Stop
Genocidal Attacks on Rohingya
Photograph: Reuters
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The International Court of Justice ordered Myanmar to comply with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 1948
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long Myanmar’s north-western coast lies the State of Rakhine, home to many Rohingya people; an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who predominantly follow Islam, contrary to the country’s Buddhist majority. The Rohingya people have been denied Burmese citizenship and since 1978, have been subject to regular persecution at the hands of Myanmar’s past military dictatorship and extreme Buddhist’s nationalists. The stateless ethnic group saw two separate phases of particularly gruesome persecution in late 2016 and 2017 in which the UN claimed evidence for counts of wide-scale and systematic human rights violations. Extrajudicial killings, arson and gang rape have been the cause of thousands of deaths and by 2017, had forced over 700,000 into refugee camps along
the border of neighbouring country, Bangladesh. On Thursday 23rd of January 2020, half the world away in The Hague, Somalian Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf of The International Court of Justice (IOJ) ordered Myanmar to comply with the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 1948 through imposing “provisional measures” against the country. Myanmar is compelled to take “all measures
within its power” to prevent any militant force from genocidal attacks including murder, rape, the burning of villages and prevention of access to medicine. The country also must preserve any evidence of genocide for the ongoing trial and provide the court with a report on progressions made in the Rakhine State in 4 months’ time and every 6 months after that, pressurising Myanmar to cease all attacks. The case was brought last November by Gambia on behalf of 57-nation-group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Gambia’s Lawyer, Andrew Loewenstein voiced a harrowing testimony of a Rohingya woman describing the brutal and systematic killings of all males in her village, including her 8-yearold nephew, a story far too familiar to many Rohingya people. The international community have deplored the actions of Myanmar’s government and extreme mil-
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The case has been described as an ‘ethnic cleansing’ by the UK’s Theresa May and President Macron of France has named the persecution a “genocide.”
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Rob Ó Beacháin Law Editor
itant groups. The case has been described as an ‘ethnic cleansing’ by the UK’s Theresa May and President Macron of France has named the persecution a “genocide.” The provisional measures announced by the court has been widely welcomed by the international community, particularly Bangladesh, in which over 1 million Rohingya refugees currently live. The Burmese Civilian Leader and once, symbol for peace, Aung San Suu Kyi has defended her government’s action, stating that “ethnic cleansing is too strong an
expression for what’s happening” and that statements labelling the persecution as a genocide are “unproven.” She justified the reasoning for militant action against the Rohingya people as defence against the extremist terrorist group of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) who are active in the region. Her methods of combatting the terrorist group has been described as “unproportioned,” as attacks from ARSA do not warrant indiscriminate murdering of each member of the ethnic group from which ARSA has derived. Aung’s stance
has been the centre of international outrage and confusion. After being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution in bringing democracy to Myanmar, she is defending the same army which took her freedom away during the 20-year period she spent under house arrest. But do Myanmar have to follow the court’s ruling? The IOJ is often referred as the “World Court,” due to its importance and the judgement itself is binding. However, the binding effect of the judgement may not be enforced as Russia and China, who have significant power on the UN Security council, have expressed sympathy towards Myanmar; meaning the prospects of security for the Rohingya people is dwindling.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
Turbine
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
THE TURBINE “We’re Sustainable”
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It’s satire, please don’t sue us.
Ents Begin Last March in Protest Against Australian Wildfires Shane Clune Former Turbine Editor
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n a dramatic response to the Australian wildfires that have plagued the New South Wales region since the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer, Treebeard has assembled the Ents of Australia for what could very well be their last march. Speaking in a press conference before the official launch of the march, Treebeard confirmed that the purpose of the 60 kilometre march (expected to take around 2 days when accounting for the Ents ponderous movement speed), was to raise awareness of
the perils of wildfires and climate change. “Nobody cares about the woods anymore” remarked the illustrious man of wood, “and it is easier to shout Stop! Than to do it. But we march because we must, because without imminent action all of Australia’s wilderness could be destroyed. We need to raise awareness of the plight of the woods, and to promote the actions we need to take to save it!” The Extinction Rebellion have welcomed the awakening of the Ents, and look forward to their participation in the protests against the Morrisson government timed to begin upon their arrival in Canberra. The Mor-
risson government, meanwhile, has dismissed the Ents as “has-beens”, “trees with ideas above their station”, and “totally delusional about climate change, and this is just a particularly severe wildfire season that has started months earlier than usual and burned 50 times more land in half the time.” Treebeard concluded his press conference with a call to action for those who wish to save the Australian forests; “The world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. We must act now if we are to have any hope of stopping our impending doom.”
UCD Bird Community Gets a Sexy New Arrival Andrew Beaks Turbine Reporter
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his week on UCD Birdwatch, we’re covering some breaking news on the return of the infamous UCD Water Rail, a welcome return to our campus’s stunning bird community (birds of flight, definitely not ladies). There were many beautiful birds in UCD last year, and the inclusion of
the Water Rail only serves to reinforce this. The Turbine has received numerous reports of ecstatic students spotting Water Rails in the lake beside the Engineering Building. These elusive birds are known to visit the campus in the colder winter months. Asides from livening up the southside of the UCD campus (which is much needed amid the drab and dreary Commerce and Law students),
these birds are a testament that temperatures are not increasing in Ireland, contrary to what many environmentalists claim. Here is clear proof that climate change is all but an illusion. If temperatures were truly rising, as conspiracy theorists claim, the Water Rail would not be found in UCD. Students not familiar with these secretive water foul may wonder what the big deal is; there are signs
for Water Rails dotted along the UCD lakes, after all. These are misleading, as they refer to the metal safety rails to help people get out of the lakes after inadvertently falling in after one too many Dragon Soops. The Water Rail birds have no such signs dedicated to them, likely due to the lack of university funding. January is always a fascinating month for UCD Birdwatch, and the Water Rails’ return to the UCD campus is certainly the highlight! Will February match the high expectations set in the first month of the year? Keep your eye out on this column to stay up to date with the UCD bird community.
NEW YEARS: World Confuses Resolutions with Revolutions and Everything Goes Wrong Evan Stevens Turbine Reporter
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s crowds of people across the world watched the clock .count down another year, thoughts soon strayed from the awkward few seconds after everyone starts kissing, to the year that lay ahead. In the drunken haze of dodgy clubs and worn down pubs, people discussed their hopes and aspirations. Two naggins ago this
plight would possibly have been successful, leading to the yearly fits of denial portrayed through the “I’m going to go to the gym twice a day daily”, or the “I’m going to quit drinking” from the student currently making their way through their 9th Tesco lager. However this year took a somewhat darker turn. Under the influence of copious amounts of jager and flat Fosters, New Year’s resolutions were confused with revolutions. An easy mistake.
Unconfirmed reports of this confusion originating from an incomprehensible Offaly lad who says he played county cannot currently be corroborated, however these claims seem reasonable. Within days the effect of this monumental mess up could be seen across the globe. World War Three began trending on Twitter, closely followed by the Australian bushfires and Fine Gael commemorating the RIC. This truly was the end of times. Sources close
to The Turbine were reported as saying that the war that will surely ensue will result in violence, bloodshed and tears. They were, of course, referring to the predicted snap election between Irish political parties. Until then, further commemorations are reported as being in the works. A leaked memo exclusively reveal these to be; Fine Gael commemorating the 2009 French World Cup team, crying puppies and most shockingly, the dark side of the force. Regardless of what side of Irish politics you fall on, we here at The Turbine believe we can all agree on one thing in this world, don’t believe an Offaly lad in Dicey’s who said he played county.
Big Reads Student Stories: Living With Chronic Pain
2020 General Election Preview
Who Cares About the Student Union anyway?
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Lisa Frank Murnane - Opinion Writer
n epidemic of ambivalence has spread throughout UCD campus over the last few years, with UCD students feeling completely .disengaged with their Student Union. Very few people vote in SU elections, and participation in SU events is wildly variable, with a general downward trajectory. Like myself, many students feel voting for any particular candidate will have very little effect on the daily running of campus. At times, it appears like the Student Union exists to make students feel like they have representation, despite being somewhat powerless to the trajectory set by UCD’s Board of Directors. SU sabbaticals hold positions on several important UCD management boards, however they are outnumbered by more conservative board members in most of these. I was a class rep from 2018 to 2019, and was briefly Environmental Campaign Coordinator before resigning in September 2019. I witnessed the disorganization of 2018’s union firsthand, and in slow-motion due to the glacial pace of most council meetings. It was while in these council meetings, I discovered the cynicism that many UCD students seem to have for their union: That they spend a lot of time talking, and focusing on frivolity as opposed to seriously representing student needs on campus. Additionally, I found myself frustrated with the continuous introduction and discussion of new motions, while older motions were never addressed or fulfilled. Though motions are treated seriously while in council, the union often fails to follow through on them. As a first year class rep, I initially found myself delighted with the notion of making a difference on campus. However, three years later, virtually nothing has changed for the better, and UCD on the whole is becoming increasingly hostile to lowerincome students, in order to attract more international students with flashy recreation amenities and expensive sports facilities. A 2019 Journal report found that only 5% of UCD students come from a disadvantaged background, while 34% come from an
affluent background. This is symptomatic of a university that is intentionally becoming less accessible to poorer students, while increasing spending on vanity projects like the Alumni bar, the new President’s office, and an additional extension to the student center. The SU are not rallying the students to take back our education from commodification, and are not visibly fighting to make UCD more accessible to lower income students. They seem to be more concerned talking at length about motions that will never be fulfilled, and occasionally offering someone a free condom or coffee. The Union can be accused of valuing frivolity over student need. For example, hours of council time was spent discussing the notorious Ice Cream World Record Event. Furthermore, the union was functioning at extremely limited capacity in the run up to the event. Seeing the sheer amount of money that was spent on that event, produced a pretty intense feeling of resentment for some. While students are going to bed hungry, in order to pay for the high student levy, cripplingly high rents, library fines, and repeat fees, the SU chose to take the money allotted to them and bring us one serving of Ice Cream that we had to wait for 30 minutes to receive. Though behind the scenes, sabbatical officers working on student cases do mammoth work, the most visible achievements of the Student Union involve doing business with multinational corporations to sell products to the captive student audience. However as the Student Union relies on these corporations to pay for their operation costs, they seem to no longer represent the students when it comes to business, as we saw with the “Pretty Little Thing” event in 2019. When facing the reality that UCD is hellbent on becoming less and less accessible to lower income students, and the continuous failure of the SU to fight back against this, I wonder if it was ever really worth caring about the Student Union in the first place at all?
An Ghaeilge le feiceáil i UCD
Is UCD Racist? Definitely, 100%
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Blathnaid Corless - Opinion Writer
eflecting upon the controversies that arose in the final few weeks of 2019, 2020 is gearing up to be the year to tackle .racism. And, hopefully, the year that racism is finally recognised and condemned for what it really is – rampant in all walks of life. Stormzy recently had his words misinterpreted by numerous media outlets and on Twitter when responding to a question from Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, of whether Britain is still racist. His response of ‘Definitely, 100%’ was misstated by many media giants as ‘Britain is 100% racist’, causing a hateful backlash against the artist. In the same week, Gary Neville condemned the Premier League for their careless attitude towards the obvious racism epidemic in English football. Instead of encouraging such discourse, Neville’s Sky Sports colleagues appeared visibly uncomfortable that the commentary had taken a political turn. Privileged university students should be shocked and horrified at the mere existence of such racial abuse in the 21st century, never mind the senseless response to those who have chosen to speak out. But does our shock equate to ignorance? Do so-called ‘echo-chambers’ of liberal ideologies in UCD fuel the problem of racism even more? I believe so. If you live, work or study in a place where everyone shares relatively the same social views, it is easy to believe that this extends to the majority of the wider population. How is this detrimental? Take the issue of direct provision. Two years ago, UCD students launched a protest against catering company Aramark, who caters for three direct provision centres in Ireland. The central argument of the students was that it is wrong for a private company to profit from direct provision. From one perspective, when considering the reports of horrendous conditions in such centres it was a valid protest. But what if its outcome was that Aramark discontinued its services to these centres? All this would have
done is prove to UCD students that their opinion was the right one. What about those asylum seekers who desperately require these services – would they have cared that a bunch of privileged twentysomethings were right, if they were forced into more struggle if their service provider had cancelled its contract? I somehow don’t think they would have cherished our victory. As regards racism on this issue, I think it should be recognised by students who protest against the conditions in direct provision that this is often the same argument made by those who simply do not want outsiders entering the country. Or, as TD Noel Grealish once eloquently phrased it, those coming to ‘sponge off the system’. Whilst we may ignore the derogatory comments made by those who are perhaps more conservative in their views (see comments on the Journal. ie), they listen to us. Protesting against providers of direct provision centres, regardless of any bona fide motive, can be easily and deliberately misinterpreted by those outside our echo-chamber as a protest against asylum itself. Unfortunately, this fuels the problem of racism in wider society. The same argument could have been made 20 years ago regarding abortion rights. While conservative Ireland lived in fear and shame, UCD took a liberal stance and published information about abortion clinics overseas. Something I noticed on campus in the debate leading up the abortion referendum in 2018 was a general willingness to listen to both sides, by both sides. This is where we are flawed when it comes to modern issues like direct provision and racism. We would often rather hear our own opinion echoing off campus walls than consider that this may not be what is most beneficial to effect positive societal change. Although education has significant merits, it can sometimes make us too sure of ourselves and our opinions. It seems that when it comes to issues like racism we are trapped in a bubble of false enlightenment.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
Op-Ed
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Irish Workers Are Being Worked to Death owadays when we think of parts of our lifestyle that can affect our health, we think about our diet, or maybe our smoking habit, but could your job have an even worse impact on your health? The modern labour market is a very different place then it was fifty years ago. Today there are more people than ever working in the service area, performing more mentally and emotionally challenging jobs rather than physically challenging jobs. According to the CSO in 2016 four out of every five jobs in Ireland were in the service sector compared to 1966 when the service sector made up only 41.2 per cent of the jobs. When investigating how work can influence our health, we look at what is known as the ‘psychosocial work environment’. This is defined as the interactions between a person’s thoughts emotions and behaviours and the
the stress. Stressors can come in the form of many different jobs demands, such as working under time pressure, emotional demands or even bullying and harassment. Stressors do not arise directly from something physical you can see or hear so alternative methodology is needed to identify these issues compared to identifying physical risks in the work place. Two methods used to pinpoint stressful job characteristics are the ‘demand-control model’ and the ‘effort-reward imbalance model.’ The demand-control model can be used when workers are subjected to high levels of psychological demands while at the same time maintaining low levels of control over decisions. This model explains how workers can feel overwhelmed and strained at work, feeling as if they don’t have any control on how their work day is structured, how they can allocate their time at work, what kind of work they can do etc. This in turn generates great stress that can lead to subsequent illnesses such as Coronary Heart
collar workers. The study found, that the men and women in lower employment grades reported lower levels of control, less varied work as well as slower paced work and even more alarmingly, the men and women that reported having low control in their work
had a higher risk of newly reported CHD after a follow up period of five years. The complementary theoretical model, the effortreward imbalance model is based on the notion of ‘social reciprocity’, a notion that we expect the effort we put in and invest in our work should be suitably rewarded. As
working conditions: Ireland in comparative perspective - An analysis of the European Working Conditions survey”. The report characterises job stressors into job demands and resources and to measure stress they combined people’s subjective reports on stress as well as stress reactions (general fatigue, anxiety, sleep
material and social work context. To create a positive psychosocial work environment there needs to be physical and mental wellbeing, as well as someone’s own positive perception of themselves. When studying psychosocial work-related stress, issues can arise in determining and pinpointing the exact cause of
Disease (CHD). Evidence to support this model can be found in the Whitehall II study of British civil servants. The initial study found dramatic differences in mortality by grade of employment. The second study focused in on how occupational and social influences could affect the health and disease of white-
many people would agree this is often not the case. When we enter an employment contract, we assume that our hard efforts will be rewarded equitably whether that be through money, esteem, career opportunities or even job security. What can often happen is we can get little to no reward for our efforts. This violation of the
disturbance). The report found that in 2015, 17% of Irish workers reported experiencing job stress compared to 8% in 2010. Overall, they found that job stress was highest in the health sector, the manufacturing sector and the construction sector. So, with work stress and its subsequent health related issues on
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social reciprocity norm can elicit strong negative emotions and lead to an elevated risk of stress-related illnesses. These issues relating to job stress can be seen in an Irish context. In 2018 the ERSI did a report called the “Job stress and
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... Men and women that reported having low control in their work had a higher risk of newly reported Coronary Heart Disease after a follow up period of five years.
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Róisín Ryan - Features Writer
the rise, what can Irish employers do to combat it? According to the ERSI the most urgent action needed is to address job demands. While many workplaces have policies for bullying and harassment, only 40% of Irish firms have policies in place to deal with job stress. This is due to psychosocial risks such as emotional demands and time pressure not being as easily identifiable as physical and chemical risks. The report also stated that hours at work should be addressed as well. It found that workers working 40 hours a week experienced higher levels of stress. At the moment our legislation prohibits working over 48 hours a week but it would appear that stress reactions begin well before this threshold. As Ireland’s jobs sector changes and develops, so do the issues found in the workplace. It is crucial that we are able to recognise when these issues arise, and how to deal with them. By using the concepts of the demand-control model, and the effort-reward imbalance model
we can distinguish what aspects of working life are causing the most stress and what type of structures need to be put in place to alleviate these stressful issues. If we don’t, Irish workers will continue to be worked to death.
Features
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COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
Student Stories: Living With Chronic Pain
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Aisling Mac Aree Features Editor
was once told that “pain is all in the mind”. I had half a mind to kick the physio that informed me of this quaint little fact to observe exactly how zen he was when his neurons were blasting around like nerf bullets. But I suppose there is a truth in it. For people suffering from non-symptomatic chronic pain, it is all in your mind. Confined to your body, to your brain...and that is so incredibly lonely. Broadly speaking pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain dissipates after a relatively short period of time, whereas chronic pain is drawn out for extended durations, usually more than six months, but can last a lifetime. Chronic pain is more typically witnessed in people over the age of 50, however it can occur at any age and can be caused by injury, disease or a host of other complications. I have experienced chronic back pain since the age of 14. The first difficulty for me was that, externally, there was no physical signal that I was in pain. There was no scar, no bruise no marked skin to reveal the extent of the injury. As such, when you are a fourteen year old sitting in a doctor’s office trying to explain that you can no longer sleep, concentrate or function like you used to, they have a tendency to dismiss you as being melodramatic and instruct you to carry less books in your school-bag. After 2 years of constant low-level pain, interspersed with periods of severe agony, I was referred to a clinic for an MRI. I was informed that I had a worn disc in my thoracic region, probably caused by years of intensive gymnastics, a sport for which I was certainly not bendy enough. He told me I’d likely suffer from the pain for the foreseeable future and then asked me to have a nice day.
Pictured Above: Aisling Mac Aree
“In a country where medical marijuana is near impossible to obtain, where pain management clinics are expensive, what options are there for Irish people with chronic pain?” Upon discussing these results with a doctor, I was told to take painkillers when the pain got bad. When the only suggested form of treatment is to take a painkiller every time you’re in pain, the entire population of chronic pain sufferers would be addicted to ibuprofen, codeine and opioids. Unsurprisingly, many are, although in fairness; can you blame them? Pain makes you desperate. Most people would elect to live with all the sufferings that accompany substance abuse than live in constant, often severe, pain. In a country where medical marijuana is near impossible to obtain, where pain management clinics are expensive, what
options are there for Irish people with chronic pain? With addictive painkillers, illegal (oftentimes dangerous) substances and alcohol as the only real source of relief for Irish sufferers, the medical community is offering its patients a choice between addiction or a life of pain. However, chronic pain is not purely restricted to the physical toll it takes on a body, it also (so very kindly) has the ability to invade every sphere of your life. As a student, it certainly affected my ability to work as, typically, you are restricted to part-time jobs in the service industry while attending college. However, bar work, retail and food service all require long hours of standing on your feet. While this is hardly ideal for anybody, for somebody with chronic back pain it can be agonising work. Chronic pain can also affect college work. In universities, we are often offered only cheap plastic seating with low desks in lectures and libraries. I certainly struggle with my back during exam season when I spend hours ignoring the pain caused by the cheap seating. It’s hard to explain to peers and professors again and again why you’ve had to miss out on classes or events, and after a while, it begins to sound like an excuse. That is the problem with an invisible injury, people aren’t aware of it and often, don’t understand it. For example, I have a tendency to find myself standing on the bus in the throes of severe pain because it is protocol to offer your seat to someone who visibly requires it. The problem is that no one can see that you need it as well. That’s one of the difficulties of non-physically symptomatic chronic pain; it’s not visible from the outside. You are stuck with a seemingly invisible ailment that, very simply, makes life harder. The same is true for people who suffer from mental illnesses, period pains, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, the list goes on. There is a misunderstood and massive difficulty in having to put so much effort into living the way that other people do so easily. So, what is the point of this article? It wasn’t just me complaining for 800 words or so (although that is largely true), instead I want to give you an insight into the struggles that people face on a daily basis. To foster compassion for anybody who finds the simple things harder and struggles through anyway, and to call for a reformation in the way in which the medical community treat those dealing with chronic pain. Dismissal and a painkiller is not an acceptable prescription.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
GET €50 AND UN-CANCEL YOUR PLANS Get €50 when you open a KBC Student Current Account, so you won’t need to live like a student.
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Politics
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Poli-Ticker Conor Paterson Politics Editor
Saturday Election Aims to Boost Student Vote? The upcoming election will be the first general election held in Ireland since 1918. When explaining the decision Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he wanted “to make it easier for students and those working away from home to cast their votes.”
Proposals for Metrolink to Extend to UCD in Fine Gael Manifesto: Fine Gael has pledged to look into the feasibility of extending Metrolink beyond its currents plans to UCD in its pre-election document.
Union of Students in Ireland Release Election Manifesto: Issues like access to quality education, equality and sustainability all featured in the USI’s manifesto for the upcoming general election. USI president said the election is “a moment when we can truly affect change.”
European Union Unveils ‘Green Deal’ Plans: EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced radical proposals across all EU policy areas in order to make the bloc carbon neutral by 2050. The plan hopes to take a European wide approach to solve climate change.
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
2020 General Election Preview Conor Paterson Politics Editor
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n the 8th of February, the country will head to the polls to elect the 33rd Dáil. So far in the campaign, health and housing have proven to be major issues. With a country in the midst of a winter flu and a housing and homeless crisis, Fine Gael have been put under pressure by all parties for failing to address problems in these sectors. In response, the party has pointed to some increased investment in recent budgets and has promised a lot more. Opposition parties will look to keep the focus on these issues rather than those perceived strengths for Fine Gael such as Brexit, the economy and recent referendums like marriage equality and the 8th amendment. What makes this election so competitive is the fact that the two main parties are so close in the polls and either could come out on top after votes are counted. Poll numbers have been varying
considerably and a competitive run in to this election is expected. Sinn Féin looks likely to remain the third-largest party in the Dáil. After poor European and local election results the party is looking to bounce back and has seen some poll gains so far during the campaign. The centre-left of Irish politics looks very crowded in this election. Labour and the Social Democrats are struggling to stand out with both parties chasing similar voters along with Sinn Féin and the Green Party. The Greens are almost certain to gain on their 2 current Dáil seats. The party has seen a huge surge in support from young people. The chairperson of the UCD Greens Lisa Murnane, which is the largest political society on campus told the College Tribune, “We have a lot of young and energetic candidates, which might give us a boost in this election.” Whichever party comes out in top will face another huge challenge in forming a government. For one party to win an overall
majority is almost impossible. Labour, the Social Democrats and the Greens would all be potential junior coalition partners as well as independents. Major parties would have to make major policy concessions to junior parties if they hoped to form a majority. At
this moment, both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin. With over a week to go before polling day, all parties know that there are still many undecided voters who could shape the outcome of this momentous election.
How will my vote affect my college life? Blathnaid Corless Politics Writer
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o help you make an informed decision on which party to vote for in the upcoming election, we have examined the policy proposals of each main party which may impact university students. Fine Gael, who have been in government for the past nine years, appear to be focusing many of their policies on helping firsttime homebuyers in the midst of a housing crisis. The party proposes to increase the amount that can be claimed under the Help-to-Buy
scheme in the next budget. This will aid students contemplating the purchase of property in the coming years. Another key issue in this election highlighted by Fine Gael is the Brexit negotiations. Leo Varadkar has pledged to ensure that citizens’ rights will be protected and that the Common Travel Area will remain intact. Retaining the CTA is important for students wishing to study or work in the UK in the future. It means a Visa is not required and ensures that our neighbouring country is an accessible and inexpensive option for moving abroad.
Fianna Fail, who were last in government between 1997 and 2011, are proposing significant tax reforms which may interest students. These include reducing the Universal Social Charge (USC) and introducing a €600 Rental Tax Credit. They have pledged to restrict short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb to reduce the surge in rental prices, which is a familiar struggle for many third-level students living in rental accommodation. Another party seeking to address the issue of high rental costs is Sinn Fein. Their housing
manifesto includes a proposal to introduce an emergency three-year rent freeze, and the introduction of a tenant’s rights charter. The Labour Party have also proposed to introduce a similar three-year rent freeze, while Fianna Fail says it will not do so on grounds of unconstitutionality. Labour recently launched its proposals on gender equality in the workplace. They have pledged to introduce legislation to force companies with over 50 employees to reveal any gender pay gap. Further legislative proposals would require companies to ensure their boards consisted of 30% women. As part of their package to address the climate crisis, the Green Party have pledged to invest €475 million on sustainable transport. This would include updating the rail network and cycling network – something that would hugely benefit commuter students all over the country. There are over 160,000 students in Ireland enrolled in full-time higher education, and each of these votes is crucial in shaping the country’s future political landscape. If politicians are to work to improve the lives of students and young people, we all need to get out and vote.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
Crowe Bar Soundharya Kumaresan Science Writer
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n the night of the “Love Your Coast” Photography Awards, Minister Eoghan Murphy announced Professor Tasman Crowe, Director of the UCD Earth Institute and Associate Dean of Science in UCD, as the chair of a new advisory group for the expansion of Ireland’s existing network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). A target of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 is the expansion of the MPA network. Through the EU, Ireland has also committed to the UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) to meet the internationally agreed target of having a minimum of 10% protection of marine areas. The ‘Our Ocean Wealth’ Integrated Marine Plan states that: “[Our Coastline] has a network of protected sites, designated under European and national legislation for the species and/or habitats (e.g. estuaries, Saltmarshes, inlets, and bays) that occur within them” and
that Our Ocean Wealth includes “130 sites designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the EU Habitats Directive for marine or coastal habitats and species”. However, this figure includes many SACs for which purely terrestrial, albeit coastal, habitats are the areas of interest. SACs are also designated for both seal species and several cetaceans commonly found in Irish waters. Minister Murphy stated that he intends to bring forth primary legislation to designate Marine Protected Areas in 2020. He mentioned, “This will be an important focus of my Department’s work in the coming months and years and is central to our implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the OSPAR Convention, our commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity”. Professor Crowe’s research focuses on the effects of natural and anthropogenic processes on marine biodiversity, ecosystem
Science
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
Professor Tasman Crowe and Marine Protected Areas
functioning, and ecosystem services. Recently, Professor Crowe has created a global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality by applying the Marina Environmental Risk Assessment (MERA) procedure. Moreover, the Irish Research Council (IRC) has funded his proposal for an eco-engineering approach to maximizing macroalgal diversity and ecosystem function on coastal infrastructure. The new expert group will work on reviewing existing
protection measures and advising the minister on the process of creating MPAs. This group will also consider the gaps in existing legislation to underpin such a network. It is expected that the work will take some six months and culminate in an expert report with recommendations feeding into the development of new legislation. The expansion of our MPAs will play a role in reducing the effects of climate change and this will ensure that the marine ecosystems remain healthy and resilient.
An example would be a headband which monitors brain activity being used to aid meditation. As anyone who has tried meditation will know, it is sometimes difficult to know whether you are meditating or just sitting there in silence. The headband gives you signals in the form of sounds which tell you what is working and what is not. Replace the headband with a heart monitor and you can learn to control your heart rate. Replace it with a respiratory monitor and you can learn to control your breathing. If I couldn’t hear, it would be nearly impossible for me to learn
present. In other words, if I can’t hear then I can’t tell that what I have just played sounded like a crying baby scraping a dental drill across a blackboard. BT allows you to hear what you are playing so that you can better understand what your fingers need to do if you are to become the next Hendrix. An important point about BT is that the physiological signals which the patient is learning to identify are not normally conceived of as being voluntary or controllable. These signals include heart rate, skin surface temperature, stress or muscle tension. It is only when we can visualise these signals on,
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In Biofeedback Therapy, you tell the doctor what’s wrong and they train you to fix it yourself. This kind of therapy has been shown to be effective for everything from migraines to incontinence...
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hen you go to the doctor, standard practice is that you tell them what’s wrong and they fix it for you. Biofeedback therapy (BT) is a little different. In BT, you tell the doctor what’s wrong and they train you to fix it yourself. This kind of therapy has been shown to be effective for everything from migraines to incontinence and is gaining
popularity every day. But how does it work? Perhaps the best analogy is with a mirror. In the same way that mirrors give us visual cues which allow us to improve our appearance, BT converts physiological signals into visual and auditory cues which allow us to identify and work on problems within our own bodies. This is done using a variety of sensors. The type of sensor used depends on the type of problem you are trying to solve.
The Lab Report Adam Boland Science Editor Research has shown that the fight or flight response causes permanent damage to the pigmentregenerating stem cells in the hair follicles of mice. In other words, stress causes grey hair.
A flying robot has been created which can alter the shape of its wings like a real bird. The robot, which has real pigeon feathers, has been dubbed ‘PigeonBot’. A study has revealed that people who have been drumming regularly for years have more efficient motor processing than non-drummers. The two hemispheres of drummers’ brains were connected by fewer, but thicker fibres.
Biofeedback Therapy: A New Type of Medicine Adam Boland Science Editor
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how to play the guitar with any degree of skill. This is because the auditory signals which allow me to identify what I did right or wrong in previous attempts are not
say, a computer screen that we can learn to control them. This technique is revolutionising how we think about the relationship between mind and body.
The remains of ancient tools found in Italy suggest not only that Neanderthals swam, but that they may have even dived as deep as 13 feet down to collect shells for tool-making. At time of writing, 5 cities in China have been locked down, with no one allowed to leave or enter in an attempt to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
The UK Committee on Climate Change has said in a report that one fifth of all agricultural land in the country must be used instead for climate change mitigation by 2050.
A surprising study has found that bad moods are contagious among ravens. The birds, which are very socially intelligent, were found to share negative emotions, but not positive ones.
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Gaeilge
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28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
An Ghaeilge le feiceáil i UCD Cecily Nic Cionnaith Gaeilge Editor
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á stádas oifigiúil ag an nGaeilge san Aontas Eorpach agus is í céad teanga oifigiúil na hÉireann. Tá sé riachtanach ó thaobh an dlí de go mbíonn comharthaí as Gaeilge nó dátheangach (le Gaeilge agus Béarla) ann ar bhóithre na hÉireann agus leagadh amach na riachtanais maidir leis an nGaeilge a bheith feiceálach sa tsochaí ag Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Baineann an tAcht le comhlachtaí poiblí agus toisc gur comhlacht leathstáit é UCD a fhaigheann maoiniú ón rialtas ach freisin ó dhaoine agus eagraíochtaí príobháideacha, ní bhaineann riachtanais na hAchta leis. Mar sin, tá mé chun iarrachtaí UCD an Ghaeilge a bheith feiceálach ar champas, ar líne agus trí chomhfhreagras a iniúchadh. Tá iarracht láidir agus iarracht d’aon ghnó le feiceáil leis an nGaeilge a chur leis an mBéarla go soiléir i UCD. Thar an scríbhneoireacht a deir ‘University College Dublin’ ag an bpríomhgheata ón N11, tá ‘Coláiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath’ ann chomh maith agus is é seo ceann de na céad rudaí a d’fheicfeadh duine ag teacht go UCD. Feictear ainmneacha na bhfoirgneamh as Gaeilge agus Béarla timpeall an champais ar nós Áras Newman nó Halla Uí Raghallaigh agus tá gach foirgneamh san áireamh. Tá ainmneacha na scoileanna go dátheangach timpeall UCD agus ar
líne cosúil le Scoil an Dlí agus Scoil an Cheoil. Bíonn fógraí eile a thugann níos mó eolais faoin leabharlann mar shampla nó faoin gcampas as Béarla amháin ach is suntasach fós go bhfuil rudaí atá níos buaine ar nós ainmneacha na bhfoirgneamh agus na scoileanna as Gaeilge agus Béarla. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbíonn teanga le feiceáil, go háirithe mionteanga le go mairfeadh sé. Tugann sé áit agus dlisteanach don teanga sa tsochaí. Baineann sé le daoine a bhfuil Gaeilge acu mar feiceann siad a dteanga féin ach freisin is siombail láidir é do dhaoine le beagán Gaeilge nó beagán eolais ar an nGaeilge go léirítear meas ar an nGaeilge agus gur roghnaíodh í a léiriú d’aon ghnó. Má bhí aon chréatúir bocht riamh ag críochnú aiste go déanach sa leabharlann nó ag staidéar go dian go dúnadh na leabharlainne i UCD, is cinnte gur chuala sibh an fógra brónach os ard ‘The library is now closing, please leave the building as the doors will be closing in 15 minutes.’ Tríocha soicind níos déanaí, cloistear an rud céanna ach as Gaeilge ‘Tá an leabharlann ag dúnadh anois, fág an foirgneamh le do thoil mar go ndúnfar na doirse i gceann cúig nóiméad déag. Is mionrud é an fógra seo ach tugann sé suntas don teanga agus léiríonn sé arís, cosúil leis na comharthaí dátheangacha go bhfuil áit ag an nGaeilge i UCD agus meas uirthi.Tá a fhios agam go raibh an obair seo curtha i gcrích ag Bord na Gaeilge a bhí ann ag an am agus Gaeltacht UCD atá orthu
anois agus tá sé le moladh go mór. Ba chóir UCD a aithint as áit lárnach a thabhairt don Ghaeilge agus is cinnte go bhfuil sí feicthe againn ar fad san ollscoil. É sin ráite, tá dhá rud le cáineadh agam. An chéad rud ná go bhfuair mic léinn nua ag teacht chun na hollscoile litir fháilte ón gcláraitheoir gan Ghaeilge ar bith. An teideal a bhí air na ‘Congratulations and Welcome to UCD’. Cheapfá gur rud beag é seo ach fuair go leor daoine an litir seo agus é mar an chéad chomhfhreagras ó UCD do go leor daoine. Chuirfeadh rud beag simplí ar nós ‘Fáilte go UCD/
Welcome to UCD’ go mór leis an litir chun a léiriú go bhfuil an Ghaeilge tábhachtach in UCD. An dara rud ná nach bhfuil gach rud in aon chor aistrithe go Gaeilge ar shuíomh UCD agus má bhrúitear ar an gcnaipe ‘Gaeilge’, ní thagann an chuid is mó den eolas in airde. D’fhéadfaí feabhas a chur leis sin go héasca agus ba chóir sin a dhéanamh go háirithe toisc go bhfuil an chuma ar an scéal go bhfuil suíomh na hollscoile dátheangach, ach ní go dtí go lorgaítear é as Gaeilge go dtuigtear nach bhfuil sé ann i ndáiríre. Cuireann Scoil na Gaeilge,Teach
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na Gaeilge, An Cumann Gaelach agus Gaeltacht UCD an Ghaeilge chun cinn ar champas gan amhras ach is maith an rud é go bhfuil UCD é féin sásta an Ghaeilge a léiriú. Níl dualgas orthu dé réir an dlí chun an Ghaeilge a léiriú mar sin ba chinneadh coinsiasach é agus is dea-rud é seo don teanga. Níl stádas na Gaeilge in UCD foirfe agus d’fhéadfadh níos mó rudaí a bheith ar fáil go dátheangach ach tá na hiarrachtaí le moladh agus is cinnte go bhfuil an Ghaeilge feicthe againn ar fad ar champas.
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Philosophy
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
Wakey Wakey... time to philosophize! Finding Meaning in Your Morning Routine
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After finishing his lectures at around 14:00, Immanuel Kant would take strict and lengthy walks around his locality, formulating ideas and letting the stresses of the day go.
finishing his lectures at around 14:00, Immanuel Kant would take strict and lengthy walks around his locality, formulating ideas and letting the stresses of the day go. His neighbours would often refer to him as the ‘the Königsberg clock,’ as townspeople knew it was exactly eight o’clock when he would emerge from his home. Walking can be used as an opportunity to allow our brain to sort through and digest information, reflect on the day and find those flashes
of creativity or passion. The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard would often be seen running back to his study to write some of his brilliant ideas down while still wearing his hat and carrying his walking stick. Similarly, Charles Dickens and Beethoven would frequently jot down ideas and sparks of creativity during their daily walks. Likewise Aristotle would lecture his students and chat with his philosopher pals while walking around his Lyceum. In my own life, sometimes getting off the bus a few stops early and walking somewhere makes me feel productive and happy, while getting a dose of exercise in. Every now and again, I brave doing the 40 minute walk to my house from UCD which lets me unwind and get outside. Getting up early is for many of us a monumental task that can dictate our mood for the rest of the day, continually sliding the off button on our lock screens is an all too familiar sight in the mornings. Getting up early does admittedly have its practical advantages, in that it simply gives you more time out of your day but some swear by its rejuvenating and energising properties. Kant would get up at 5:00 AM every day, to the loud persistent knocks of his servant. He then devoted his morning
cup of tea and tobacco pipe to meditation. Friedrich Nietzsche would wake up at a similar time, starting the day by washing himself in cold water and drinking a nice glass of warm milk before starting
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DaVinci would probably recommend his polyphasic sleep routine, whereby you take a short 20 minute nap every four hours which means that you never actually get a proper sleep, but you rack up a wonderful two hours of sleep every 24 hours!
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S
o it’s a new year already, and we’re back in the same place eager to raise and salute the flag of the “new year, new me” mentality. We’re all familiar with the internet “mindfulness” gurus showing us how productive and fulfilling their lives are through drinking more water, meditation, exercise and journaling. Yet when we try to emulate that, things never go quite as well as the mindful masters would have us believe. I found that I’d choose to start a habit, like getting up early and going to the gym and then once life gets busy or I get tired the habit grinds to a halt. Now that we’ve arrived at the start of the (hopefully) roaring twenties, I think it’s time that we turn to our friendly neighbourhood philosophers and intelligentsia for advice on morning routines, what will get us into James Joyce that bit earlier, what habits seem to work and what really don’t. Either way, none of them had typical mornings to say the least. In the words of Aristotle; “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” (scholars don’t actually know if he said that). Firstly a common thread between many philosophers is that
they are all avid walkers. Many of us hate the idea of walking or even strolling, our minds are constantly racing for things to be doing but sometimes slowing the pace a little bit can be a healthy choice. After
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Aaron Collier Philosophy Columnist
his work. However if you’re seeking a more structured routine we only have to ask Benjamin Franklin, who broke his daily routine down into detailed minutes. He would rise at five and ask himself the question; “what good shall I do this day?” before having breakfast and
starting his work. While getting up at 5 AM every day seems like a little bit of a push for a stressed college student, I found in my own life that getting up between 6:30 and 7:00 AM surprisingly worked for me. While I haven’t been the strictest follower of this routine, but after getting over the initial hump of tiredness it becomes much easier. If you’re consistent with it, it can eventually become enjoyable and allows you more time in the day that could be spent catching up on work or exercising. I’d also recommend placing your phone on the other side of the room when it’s charging, so when the alarm rings you’re forced to get up. Now if you’re reading this and saying to yourself that none of these routines are nearly as extreme as I want, then I think that the Renaissance man-of-all-trades Leonardo DaVinci or philosopher Karl Marx could have an option for you. Are exams coming up? Just finding that there’s not enough hours in the day? DaVinci would probably recommend his polyphasic sleep routine, whereby you take a short 20 minute nap every four hours which means that you never actually get a proper sleep, but you rack up a wonderful two hours of sleep every 24 hours! I think he could have taken a page from an exam cramming 20 year old. If that doesn’t float your new year boat than Marx may have a solution. According to a Prussian police report on Marx and his family, he didn’t have a fixed time for sleep or waking up, was not the cleanest of people and loved a night out (sound familiar?). He was known for being idle or procrastinating for days on end, but would then work with herculean endurance all through the night if he wanted to before falling asleep fully clothed the next morning, unbothered by any noise around him. I think I’m not the only one who resonates with Marx’s “routine” to some degree. With this arsenal of potential lifestyle choices at your disposal, I’d recommend that you take the new term head on and make even minor tweaks to your routine and thrive on the benefits.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
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23
Culture Amongst RTÉ Closures, Radio Should be Revived
These Charming Women: Why the new Little Women is the better one
What’s Hot: UCD Juggling & Circus Society
Sound Waves
Everything Else Has Gone Wrong Bombay Bicycle Club
★★★★
E
Marigold
★★★★
★★★
Ecco2k
Nicholas Lane - Music Writer
Nicolas Murphy - Music Writer
After a hiatus of almost six years, Bombay Bicycle Club have returned with an audacious and vivacious eleven-track album. You may recognize the band name from their early chart successes or maybe from their upbeat, guitar-driven melodies which, alongside bands like Vampire Weekend and Two Door Cinema Club, inspired indie rock music throughout the early 2010’s. Everything Else Has Gone Wrong is stocked with neatly packaged songs which each build gently to a head. Most tracks start with a foundation; some sparsely spread instrumentation. That in place, we then get a captivating chorus. This builds tenderly into the final third, where the whole piece comes together in an eruption of emotive power. Then, the instruments fade out, and we’re left in the blissful hue of momentary silence. After such a long break, it’s hard to believe that the songwriting - the lion’s share done by singer Jack Steadman - remains as playful and poetic as their early hits. Bombay have managed to stay faithful to their garage indie rock roots, while becoming more experimental, immersive, and immense than ever before. Check out “Eat, Sleep, Wake…”, “Everything Else Has Gone Wrong”, “I Can Hardly Speak”, “Do You Feel Loved”, and “Racing Stripes”.
Drain Gang member and all-around enigma Ecco2k delivers ‘E’, his first studio album. Hot off the back of releasing ‘Trash Island’ with fellow Drain Gang members Bladee and Thaiboy Digital, Ecco2k keeps his momentum on his latest project, going one further and delivering a bold take on pop music, and its increasingly close relationship with hip-hop. Staying true to his artistic roots, Ecco2k keeps Drain Gang/Sadboys producers Gud and Whitearmor close, with the duo producing every song on the album, bar AAA Powerline and Fruit Bleed Juice, produced by Yves Tumor, an artist known for his eclectic industrial approach to pop music. The production is woozy and ethereal thanks to Gud and Whitearmor, but it is bolder and, at times, more abrasive than anything Ecco2k or Drain Gang have done before, thanks to Tumor’s work. On ‘E’, Ecco2k flexes his artistic portfolio, singing airy, wispy melodies on AAA Powerline and Fruit Bleed Juice, whilst showcasing his rapping ability on tracks such as ‘Peroxide’ and ‘Cc’. Ecco2k is all about melody and feeling, both of which are abundant on this album, and with ‘E’, he shows the potential future for not only Drain Gang, but pop music as a genre.
Pinegrove
Niall O’Shaughnessy - Former Music Editor Pinegrove have always been Evan Hall’s band. He is the primary lyricist, songwriter and the face of the band in the press. There’s a good reason for this. What made Pinegrove so engaging when they released their debut album Cardinal in 2016 was Hall’s ability to tell stories about trite, almost cliché subjects with a novel sensitivity. Tracing Pinegrove’s fortunes after Cardinal requires far more column inches but, in short, they reached an unprecedented level of success before allegations against Hall of sexual coercion delayed tours and an album release. It’s worth noting that Hall’s hiatus only ended with the approval of his former partner. It’s impossible to separate Marigold from this narrative. The album opens with references to wreckages, crossing borders and bracing through a “polar vortex. Hall’s vocals crack and strain in the most disarming way. ‘Moment’ shows his full range as he is deftly propped up by a female harmony, managing to briefly recapture the majesty of Cardinal. Lyrically also, his writing can still be singular; ‘Spiral’ is an amphibrach, a tool Hall uses to devastating effect. However, a few glimpses of brilliance isn’t enough to save an album that should never have been about redemption. Hall scratches a wound that he thought was an itch.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
Music
COMMENT: Amongst RTÉ Closures, Radio Should be Revived TÉ has announced that it will be closing its digital radio stations. The closures of 2FM, RTÉ Pulse, .RTÉ Gold and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, alongside over 200 prospective job cuts, marks a fairly bleak time for the public broadcaster. As embarrassing and annoying as RTÉ’s financial nosedive has been, the closing down of RTÉ 2FM, 2XM and Pulse radio are particularly noteworthy. In a time of increasing creative strangulation for young Irish and international musicians and music lovers, the closure of pretty much all of the national alternative Irish music radio stations is another strong kick in the jaw. We are losing a key professional outlet for Irish artists to perform and display their talents. I will be the first person to admit that I was not a frequent listener to these radio stations. The occasional hour in the car when I had no phone battery and was searching for something other than Ryan Tubridy’s condescending voice would have been the extent of my listening. Despite this infrequent listening, I was always hugely impressed by the quality of music and mixing on RTÉ’s digital stations. However, with the popularity of Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube for music listening, the question must be asked as to who really was listening frequently to these stations? Because it wasn’t me and it wasn’t my friends. Despite the impression that Spotify
and music radio shows which have been closed down. There is a radio listenership base there, that is certain. What does live radio give us which Spotify algorithms, YouTube Boiler Rooms and A-trak Podcasts don’t? Listening to a radio show led by a host or a number of hosts is much more personal than an algorithm based discover weekly playlist. You get a little view into someone who you trust’s mindset and music taste. For
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Listening to a radio show led by a host or a number of hosts is much more personal than an algorithm based discover weekly playlist. You get a little view into someone who you trust’s mindset and music taste.
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R
Euan Lindsay Music Writer
the same reasons people watch DJs’ Boiler Room sets or actively seek out TV bloopers and corpsing compilations, the human aspect of radio remains enjoyable. There is a live, human vulnerability in hearing what Shampain is going to play next on his radio show or in hearing why Gilles Peterson is selecting a certain album to take selections from. Even if it is music you do not like, it
Status and Skepta at the beginning of their careers and still operate fantastic functions on streaming services like Soundcloud. It is questionable that RTÉ did not even consider moving their digital radio stations over to a more online streaming platform, like Rinse FM in London, but instead just announced their closures. While these two points are strong, they are questionable. How does a radio service differ from what Spotify or YouTube offers? What gives radio its real strength is its accessibility and ease. You don’t need a 4G connection to listen to radio. Obviously there are areas where radio connection loses signal but with a radio antenna it is easily improved. You also don’t need a Spotify premium account, or a YouTube account, or an aux cable, or a Bluetooth speaker to listen to radio. On top of this, actively listening to radio is easier. You do not have to get online, find a playlist and then have to change the song 25 times because you’ve thought of a song you’d rather listen to. Much like listening to a vinyl, or full album; you are forced to sit there and listen to whatever is played, and when this is from a DJ or selector you trust, this is such an exciting and engaging journey to go on. There is fantastic work being done by local, digital stations which could benefit from these closures. Dublin District Radio and Power 87 (Formerly the legendary Klub FM) are providing as good a function as these other RTE stations previously were. There is no reason why the listenership of these more localised, independent radio stations cannot
25
Upcoming Gigs Luke Murphy - Music Writer
Milky Chance February 2nd Vicar Street Alternative rock-come-folk music outfit ‘Milky Chance’ take to the stage on Vicar Street at the beginning of February. The group have been around for the best part of a decade now, bringing us hits such as ‘Stolen Dance’ and ‘Flashed Junk Mind’. The German group have sold out every prior gig in Dublin and graced the main stage at Longitude back in 2017. They are currently touring their new album ‘Mind the Moon’ and if you were lucky enough to bag a ticket, you’re in for a treat. Expect nothing but good vibes from this unique group.
Pictured Above: Milky Chance
Local Boy February 6th Whelan’s Local Boy of Dublin based ‘Burner Records’ will be making a long-due appearance in Whelan’s. Just off the back of his ‘Local Boy Ruins Everything’ EP, the Dublin man will be rocking out with his label mates and his band. If you’re looking for music ranging from rap to rock, this is the gig for you. With tickets for only 8 euro and support from Sourfruit it would be a shame to miss one of Dublin’s newest underground artists.
Craic Boi Mental February 14th
The Workman’s Club
and YouTube have killed radio off, the listenership figures for radio in Ireland remain very high. A May 2019 study by the JSRI found that 82% of people in Ireland listen to radio everyday, with 2 million people listening to radio consistently every week. While the majority of these listeners tune into Joe Duffy and Sean O’ Rourke there are other listeners to sustain the alternative
is appreciable and enjoyed because you can recognise that someone else listens to it. Historically, if we look at our near neighbours in London, the long tradition of Digital Radio and Pirate Radio formed the platform for the birth of many musical forms like garage, grime, UK funky and UK DnB. Rinse FM and Cool FM acted as springboards for young artists like Chase and
significantly increase now that RTÉ will no longer provide their services. Alternative radio stations provide a platform for music to be heard on a large scale. The closure of any service which provides this function should always be met with scepticism and disapproval.
Cork’s biggest rapper is making a trip up to Dublin to give us one of the most romantic and intimate gigs on Valentine’s night. Craic Boi Mental has been churning out music for all of 2019. His ‘Cork City Anthems’ album was massively successful. Craic Boi has one of the most unique sounds and with his ‘Craickevilli’ EP around the corner, this could be one of the hottest nights to hit Workman’s in a long time.
Film & TV
26
Film & TV News
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
Film Review: Just Mercy
Gemma Farrell Film & TV Writer The Road to the Oscars:
Pictured Above: Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in Marriage Story Best Director nominees. Despite being snubbed for the award, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women is up for six awards, including Leading Actress for Saoirse Ronan, her fourth Academy nomination, and a debut Supporting Actress nomination for rising-star Florence Pugh. Scarlett Johansson is nominated in both Leading and Supporting Actress categories for Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story. Her costar Laura Dern and Joker’s Joaquin Phoenix are also nominated following their success in both the Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
★★★★
J
Áine Burke Film & TV Writer
ust Mercy is a film based on a poignant true story set in the late 1980s/ early 90s in the US state of Alabama. The film is centred around a young lawyer who endeavours to overcome the injustices of the legal system of the state. Michael B Jordan plays the role of Brian Stevenson, a Harvard law graduate with a zeal for seeking justice who sits the Alabama Bar exams and moves there to help those who lack adept legal representation and who have been unjustly incarcerated. He is aided in his fight by a young mother Eva Ansley (Brie Larson). Stevenson and Ansley set up a legal aid initiative to help those who can’t afford legal aid. Their clinic is in the town of Monroeville where Harper Lee wrote the famous novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” However the racist inclinations that characterise the world of Atticus Finch are still very much apparent in the backdrop of this movie. One of Stevenson’s first cases is that of Walter McMillan, played by the formidable Jamie Foxx who has wrongfully been accused of the murder of an 18 year old girl and is now on death row. McMillan had received legal aid previously but his lawyers were completely inadequate and did nothing to help McMillan’s case. The prosecution’s case was completely fabricated and based on false witness testimonies. One of these witnesses was a convicted felon known as Ralph Myers.
Myers, who had been burned severely as a child, was placed beside the chamber of the electric chair and was forced to smell the horrific scent of skin burning which was redolent of his own experience. He was informed that the only way he could escape the horrors of death row was if he made a completely false statement claiming to have been with McMillan on the day he allegedly committed the murder. Several of McMillan’s friends and family members had proof that
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The corrupt system is showcased through passionate and emotive performances and highlights to us how quickly a person’s life can be taken away from them through no fault of their own.
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It is just weeks into the new year, but awards season is already in full swing. This year kicked off on the 5th January with the Golden Globes. Hosted by Ricky Gervais for a record fifth time, many of the biggest films of the last twelve months took home honours. Newly-knighted Sir Sam Mendes’ war epic 1917 took home both Motion Picture and Director accolades, while Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood won Best Comedy, Screenplay and Supporting Actor for Brad Pitt. Renée Zellweger’s performance in ‘Judy’ earned her the Leading Actress gong in the Globes, Critics Choice Awards and the SAG Awards. Fleabag also triumphed in all three ceremonies, winning Best Comedy Series and Comedy Actress for its creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Meanwhile, this year’s BAFTA nominees were announced amid more criticism over its lack of diversity. Biopic Rocketman is up for Best British Film while it’s star Taron Egerton is nominated for Leading Actor. Margot Robbie is nominated twice for Supporting Actress for both Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and Bombshell. Killarney-born Actress Jessie Buckley is nominated for Leading Actress for her performance in Wild Rose. The controversial awards are set for February 2nd. Of course, it all leads up to the Academy Awards. While being praised for greater diversity in comparison to the BAFTAs, once again the awards have come under fire for the all-male
McMillan was present with them at the time of the murder. However they could not convey this to the court due to the fact that the inequitable conditions governing the legal system forbid them to testify. The movie also follows the stories of other men on death row who have been illtreated by the authorities such as Herbert Richardson who is a PTSD sufferer from the Vietnam war. Scenes of Richardson’s
harrowing execution by electric chair emphasise to the audience how horrific the last moments of a person’s life on death row can be. Dramatic camera close ups of the pain and torture inflicted on this man’s face are effective in evoking extreme discomfort from the viewer. Stevenson is met with many obstacles in his fight for justice for Mr McMillan and is made to feel threatened by the inhabitants of the town. Stevenson also faces challenges from the legal system in his fight to prove McMillan’s innocence and it is difficult to foresee whether McMillan will ever be able to return to his family. McMillan’s case took place in 1992 and this shows that racism and injustice are not a thing of the past. The corrupt system is showcased through passionate and emotive performances and highlights to us how quickly a person’s life can be taken away from them through no fault of their own. Although the story of those on death row is a familiar one as told in films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Just Mercy is as fresh and as timely as ever. Experiences on death row scar a person for life. This is made evident by the fact that McMillan passed away due to early onset dementia which is claimed to have been linked to mental instability due to his time in prison. Injustice is still happening in our world today and this movie is a thought provoking and captivating description of the toll that racism can have on its victims and will leave viewers feeling outraged at the injustices they witness before them.
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
Film & TV
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
Netflix Recommendations The Pursuit of Happyness Film
★★★★
Before the credits had even rolled, this film had already left a lasting impression upon me, most notably for Will Smith’s performance as a single father struggling to rescue both himself and his son from the threat of poverty. The Pursuit of Happyness is set within the intensifying capitalism of the 1980s, and follows the father-son duo of Will and Jaden Smith, whose visibly tender relationship carries the immense emotional weight of this true story. Although the film serves as a damning retrospective of working-class social challenges, it remains a drama at its core, and is not afraid to exhibit Will Smith’s criminally underutilised capacity for dramatic depth. The story itself is engaging, albeit highly predictable, however its formulaic nature never once detracts from its overall quality. The idea that family members are unable to successfully work together is rendered untrue by The Pursuit of Happyness.
Blade Runner 2049
The Terminal
★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★
Lost In Translation is often considered to be a modern classic by critics and film aficionados alike, despite having only secured a single Academy Award. This film opens with a humble beginning; it appears to be another innocuous drama, that is, until Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson are each granted sufficient time in the limelight so as to draw us into their respective stories. Lost In Translation is a deeply moving study of relationships, and exploration of the bonds that we forge with those around us, paying particular attention to their position in the time and space of our lives; the central characters are introduced to each other abroad in a bar, and the platonic relationship that ensues could not have occurred at any other point in their lives. I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a slow burn, wherein the characters are not afraid to take precedence over the narrative.
I can safely admit that this is the first sequel film that has never made me question the validity of their continued existence. Blade Runner 2049 not only manages to expand upon the vibrant world that was crafted by its predecessor but it also serves as an encapsulating entry into the genre of science-fiction cinema in its own right. The CGI and set design is fantastic, it is clear from the outset of the film that a
Film
Film
tremendous amount of care has been poured into ensuring that Blade Runner 2049 remains equally loyal to both its fanbase and the original film, and it goes without further elaboration that this commitment to detail has well and truly paid off. Harrison Ford also reprises his iconic role as Rick Deckard, and observant audiences are rewarded with a juxtaposition regarding the evolution of onscreen heroic masculinity between himself and Ryan Gosling.
Why the new Little Women is the better one
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I really relished how flawed Saoirse Ronan’s Jo was allowed to be; she demonstrates her tendency to be stubborn, arrogant and insensitive. [...] The female characters are allowed to be more complex and transgressive in Gerwig’s film.
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I
remember borrowing the DVD of the 1994 adaptation of Little Women from the library when I was maybe ten and then watching that film probably about ten times. I suppose in retrospect it wasn’t really surprising that I became so enamoured with a film that had a predominantly female cast as well as a protagonist whose biggest aspiration was to be a writer. This year, I decided to rewatch the film after seeing the latest reiteration of Little Women in the cinema. I revisited it for nostalgic reasons but I also thought it would be interesting to compare these two recent adaptations of the novel. They are not entirely dissimilar: both have modern, feminist perspectives, impressive casts, female directors and writers at the helm and they are quite faithful to their literary source. They are both good films but admittedly I do have to say Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation does outshine its predecessor - nostalgia could not win me over. Comparing these two movies was also a gratifying exercise because I noticed
Alex Mulhare Film & TV Writer
Lost In Translation
These Charming Women Brigid Molloy Film & TV Editor
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Film
For an easier, more light-hearted watch, I would recommend The Terminal; for any fan of Tom Hanks, this is a must see. This film is also loosely based upon a true
story, and although it hasn’t aged well in several minor aspects, the vast majority of the comedic lines in this film still land and make for a few laughs. As well as this, the story is breezy enough so that complete attention is not required in order to fully appreciate it. That is not to say that The Terminal is a lesser piece of work than the other films on this list, rather, sometimes it just proves more enjoyable to watch a man struggle to escape from an airport terminal than it is to mentally prepare yourself to focus upon an introspective work of film for the better part of three hours.
the progress that has been made for the portrayal of women on screen. Take Jo, for example. The bookish and ambitious heroine is played capably by Winona Ryder in Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 adaptation but nonetheless I did find the portrayal of the character frustrating. In the film Jo declares that she is awkward and that she “always says the wrong thing,” but what the viewer actually witnesses is a character who is nearly always cheerful and pleasant. I really relished how flawed Saoirse Ronan’s Jo was allowed to be; she demonstrates her tendency to be stubborn, arrogant and insensitive. Amy is a much more fully fleshed character in the latest adaptation too. In the Armstrong film we are first of all introduced to a young, bratty Amy played by Kirsten Dunst and then her bland grown up version, played by Samantha Mathis. Florence Pugh’s Amy is actually interesting and endearing. In particular, the character really won me over during her moving speech to Laurie in which she highlighted how there was no way for a woman to make her own money thus justifying her desire to marry a rich man. The female characters are allowed to be more complex and transgressive in Gerwig’s film. It is promising that progress has been made which has allowed for this. I do believe that the author of the literary source, Louisa May Alcott, would be happy with this execution of her vision.
Arts & Lifestyle
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COLLEGE TRIBUNE
28.01.2020
Volume 33 - Issue 06
WHAT’S HOT: UCD Juggling & Circus Society
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Mallika Venkatramani Arts & Lifestyle Editor
tudent life in UCD is always buzzing, from even before the semester starts til the very end of week 12. Much of the buzz comes the from spectrum of student societies that covers nearly every niche interest known. We managed to get an interview with a society that aims to bring you back to your childhood days, to those times when you ran wild like a twig in the wind without a care in the world. This is a welcoming group you’ll always find in the Old Student Centre with hoops and balls – the energetic Juggling & Circus Society. Olivia Breen, Auditor, gave me a wide smile as I approached the Old Student Centre Atrium during their first practice session of the semester. Two members of the society, Maia Dennehy and Finn Delimata May, greeted me and said they’ll join Olivia for the interview. They told me that they’d teach me some juggling afterwards. Tell us about the activities your society does. “We practice and teach newcomers to juggle with a variety of circus props like hulahoops, poi, diabolos and unicycles. We also have regular workshops on activities like acrobatics and balloon modelling. Much of what we do aims to help students unwind and relax from their academics.” What got you into juggling? Olivia and Maia both said that the Juggling & Circus Society stall caught their eye during Freshers’ Week and that was how they got into it. Finn said he was first introduced to juggling when he was 5 and began learning it properly when he was just 13.
What do you think about juggling as an art form? “Juggling can be seen as a kind of dance,” Olivia said. Finn added that juggling is a visually pleasing art form that serves to entertain an audience. “These are what make juggling more of an art rather than a sport”, finished Maia. Why should newbies join you? “We are a fun-loving, wholesome group!” Olivia said excitedly. “We offer you a fun way to learn a new skill and add variety to your routine.” You heard that, folks! If you want to pick up a new hobby, look no further. What events did Juggling & Circus Society do last semester? Last semester’s highlight was attending the National Circus Festival in Tralee where we got to participate in workshops, make new friends and watch shows. At UCD, we conducted workshops on fascinating activities like feather-balancing, platespinning and using a poi. We also did a fire show at the beginning of last semester whereby we used lighted wicks on our props to create a spectacular effect. Give us a preview of the events Juggling & Circus Society has this semester. We are hoping to have a Juggling Convention here at UCD during which we hope to conduct workshops and perform a big show. We hopefully will have a fire show again! We are also going to the Belfast Juggling Convention soon which we are very excited about. With this, the interview ended and they began teaching me how to juggle with three balls – the basic technique is actually really straightforward but well, I need loads of practice! But I’m certainly not going to miss their fire show for the world.
It’s this, but in UCD!
Classical vs. Modern Dance Is one better than the other?
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ne of the things we love to do is to tell a story. Dance is an exquisite type of story-telling that has ramified into so many forms globally, classical and contemporary. Classical dance forms like Russia’s ballet, Ireland’s Céilí or India’s Bharatanatyam are all mesmerising, often connected to culture and folklore. But in this millennium, so many contemporary dance styles like hiphop, Zumba and B-boying have emerged. So, how do classical and modern dance forms compare? I got a chance to speak with Teerna Banerjee, Auditor of UCD Indian Society, for an interesting insight. Teerna has been learning an ancient dance form called Bharatanatyam, that originated around 5000BC in the southern part of India, since the age of 5. In the past 15 years, she has performed at national festivals around India. She has also expanded her repertoire by picking up contemporary styles like hip-hop, fusion and Bollywood. To her, dance is a graceful medium of expression
and an ultimate stress-reliever. I asked her about her thoughts on classical dance. “If one is truly passionate about dancing, classical dance is needed in order to build a good foundation and to push your body beyond its limits,” she said.
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In this millennium, so many contemporary dance styles like hip-hop, Zumba and B-boying have emerged. So, how do classical and modern dance forms compare?
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Mallika Venkatramani Arts & Lifestyle Editor
As for modern dance, she shared that it was fascinating how so many forms have emerged in the past decades. She honestly added that fusion dance styles that combine classical and modern styles
could potentially be detrimental to the preservation of the original classical form. She feels that sometimes it might be better to keep certain niche dance styles separate, like acrobatics – while many modern dance routines incorporate acrobatics, the glory of acrobatics could be celebrated as an entity by itself. Teerna shared that today, modern dance forms are more popular than classical dance forms. “Classical dance takes years to learn; usually people start at a very young age. Dance forms like ballet need to be picked up when children are so young that their bones are still soft. These restrictions might not be ideal given today’s hectic lifestyle,” she added. “Generally, classical dance is also much more expensive.” Overall, she suggests that people should do what makes them happy. Her personal inclination is towards classical dance as she believes that classical dance is more than mere dancing – one also gets to learn about traditional music, culture and history associated with that dance form. “One also learns about the difficulties classical dancers had to undergo in the past to make the dance
what it is today,” she shared. At that point, I remembered once reading about how male Bharatanatyam dancers face discrimination in several ways though they have an integral role in the dance form. Finally, I asked her about how she continues dancing Bharatanatyam in Ireland. “Ireland has a better scope for modern dance forms compared to traditional Indian dance forms, so I have performed mainly Bollywood numbers at Indian festivals in Dublin,” she said. But she added that she goes back to Bharatanatyam when she returns to Bangalore during term breaks. Though an Indian myself who comes from the same place Bharatanatyam originated, I never learned the dance because I have two left feet. When I see the passion glinting in the eyes of dancers, I can’t help but imagine their exhilaration and sometimes wished I had tried. Would you consider trying a classical or modern dance form?
Volume 33 - Issue 06
28.01.2020
COLLEGE TRIBUNE
Arts & Lifestyle
SPOTLIGHT: UCD’s Artsy Societies Mallika Venkatramani Arts & Lifestyle Editor If anything along the lines of “try a new hobby” features in your 2020 resolutions, keep reading because we have you covered on all the artsy societies on campus.
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DramSoc One of UCD’s most vibrant societies, DramSoc (drama society) is an excellent avenue for one to hone their acting, screenwriting and directorial talents. They regularly conduct workshops on various facets of theatre like lighting and sound, set design and so on. “This semester, we have 8 incredibly varied shows coming to the DramSoc stage,” says Lorcan Kelly, DramSoc Public Relations Officer. He adds that students should join the society because it is “the most active society on campus that will give you a better theatre experience than any classroom!”
or even charcoal. They hold interesting workshops like manga drawing, Rangoli decoration, fingerprinting and even voodoo doll making. “Anyone with an interest in arts at any level of experience is most welcome to join us in our workshops,” says Mudita Verma, Events and Public Relations Officer of DrawSoc. Sounds like an amazing way to unwind!
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TradSoc There is nothing quite like traditional Irish music – I’d never heard anything more upbeat and joyful! UCD TradSoc promotes exactly this – they have weekly sessions whereby you get to play some traditional tunes. Even if you are a nonplayer, you are always welcome to join in for a relaxing session. They also organise céilís and go on trips to concerts and festivals. “TradSoc UCD is one of the few societies to have weekly music sessions on campus,” says Niamh Ridley, TradSoc’s Secretary. Contemporary music genres come and go, but the traditional ones always remain in fashion.
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Uno Mas ★★★★★ Aungier Street, Dublin
€€€€ Alex Lohier - Deputy Editor Hidden in plain sight on Aungier Street, Uno Mas is one of (if not the) finest Spanish restaurants in Dublin. It’s unassuming and humble from the outside; you wouldn’t even notice it if you weren’t looking for it. Step inside however, and your olfactory senses get a blast like you’ve never experienced. From the moment you enter, you know it’s going to be a meal to remember. From the dinner menu, I highly advise you to try several small ‘para picar’ plates. These are essentially tapas which you eat before your starter.
DrawSoc during their Rangoli making workshop in the Student Centre
DramSoc performing Bram Stoker Extracts, November 2019
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Musical Society Musical Society’s electric performances are a fine blend of singing, dancing, and acting. They hold three full-scale musicals every year in addition to the two special showcases exclusively meant to feature newcomers. They also have a sub-group called the Musical Society Vocal Group, a non-audition unit for those interested in singing, which also has its own showcase. “When we say there is something for everyone [at Musical Society], we really mean it!” says Eoin Harrington, the society’s Public Relations Officer. “There’s never a dull day and I have made my closest friends in college through this amazing society.”
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Juggling & Circus Society This fun society aims to transport you back to your childhood days where you could play without inhibitions. If you want to learn an impressive skill (I mean, how many people can juggle?!) and relax at the same time, join them. “We are a fun-loving wholesome group!” says Olivia Breen, Auditor, and encourages students to join the society without reservations.
TradSoc perfoming at Club Chonradh na Gaeilge
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JazzSoc In the words of JazzSoc’s Secretary Ciara Lambkin, you should join JazzSoc if you have an “interest in listening to or learning how to play jazz music while making some stellar friends along the way.” JazzSoc has large band rehearsals and weekly improvisation workshops. They also regularly go into the city to listen to live bands to hone their craft. Looks like there is a lot one can learn from them!
Juggling & Circus Society during a practice session in the Student Centre Atrium
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DanceSoc Some are born dancers, while others simply want to learn a step or two. DanceSoc will certainly not disappoint with their weekly training sessions that cover various dance forms and their active participation at national competitions. Join them and expand your passion for dancing!
The JazzSoc ‘Big Band’
Musical Society performing The Addams Family, December 2019
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DrawSoc Let your creative juices flow when you partake in their workshops. DrawSoc believes in presenting art in its visual forms – be it through drawing, painting
DanceSoc at the Dance Intervarsities 2018
Scribble box, have a wee scribble.
The Lomo Iberico, Padrón peppers and olives are fantastic, though I have no doubt the other options are equally as tasty. For starters, we shared a tortilla, which was by far the most succulent I’ve ever had; so simple, yet so satisfying, I would go back purely just for this. Moving on to the mains, I was surprisingly still hungry. I opted for a plate of mixed fried mushrooms, with a creamy sauce and an egg yolk. Sounds odd (kind of was), but the taste was simply next-level. Anyone with a fungi fetish will adore this. My guest sampled the octopus ‘a la plancha’, a traditional Spanish recipe. It was cooked to perfection, and the accompaniments (potatoes, fried kale and violet garlic) complemented it sublimely. Dessert consisted of a ‘flan de queso’ and the ‘coffee milhojas’. The former was the star in my opinion, though I’d happily eat both again! Be warned; you need to book in advance. We sat on stools at the bar, in front of the kitchen and, to be honest, they were probably the best seats in the house. You can peak at the chefs working their magic, and the waiter behind the bar is there to answer any questions you may have about your food. For the price you pay, I struggle to think of a better value for money. Uno Mas is an authentic taste of Spain right on our doorstep. I’m not one for revisiting restaurants unless they are truly exceptional, and Uno Mas breezes into that classification.
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28.01.2020
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Volume 33 - Issue 06
Sport Photos: UCD Athletics Club
UCD Bears Off to Running Start
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s much as some things change, some things simply stay the same. Such is the case when it comes to Tuesday nights in Belfield. Even in the lean and unforgiving winter months, when one might be forgiven for thinking there might not be much going on athletics-wise, the pitches opposite the Sports Centre and their perimeter ritually become a hive of activity, with numerous distance running groups using UCD as their base for a hard winter’s graft. Chief among these groups is the UCD AC Distance Squad who have trained under the tutelage of renowned coach Emmett Dunleavy since late 2016. And it has always been
on Tuesday evenings where the hard work has been put in. While our sprinters spent last trimester being put through their paces on the track and in the gym by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Level 5 coach Padhraic Duffy, labour which will undoubtedly bear fruit for them as the indoor and outdoor track seasons beckon this coming trimester, it was the distance running group which took centre stage through the autumn and early winter. While there is much training done week in and week out throughout the first trimester, there are only two intervarsity events that take place in the first part of the academic year for the UCD Bears, as we have christened ourselves in recent
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The pitches opposite the Sports Centre and their perimeter ritually become a hive of activity, with numerous distance running groups using UCD as their base for a hard winter’s graft.
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Ciarán Crowther UCD Athletics Club
years. There were encouraging showings all round at Colours Road Relays against the ‘auld enemy’ Dublin University Harriers & Athletic Club (TCD Athletics) which took place in Belfield on the same morning as the Rugby World Cup Final. Performances here were taken
into consideration ahead of the big one: Irish Universities Athletics Association (IUAA) Intervarsity Road Relays. Hosted as always by Maynooth University in the beautiful autumnal environs of their South Campus, UCD AC have a strong tradition in competing for medals at
this championship and this year was no different. In the Women’s race, run in a 1-2-21 mile (s) format, our A team of Kate Nurse, Danielle Donegan, Sarah Healy and Rose Finnegan bagged bronze medals to bring back to Belfield. In the Men’s race, run in a 1-2-3-2-1 mile (s) format, our A team of Fionn Buttner, Paul O’Donnell, Darragh McElhinney, Luke McCann and Christian McKenna finished in 2nd place to secure silver medals for the Bears. As if this wasn’t enough success for one trimester, numerous UCD AC athletes raced well over the course of the club’s cross country season at county, provincial and national level. Most notably, three of our athletes qualified to represent Ireland at the European Cross Country Championships in
Lisbon in early December by virtue of their performances at the National Cross Country Championships in Abbotstown in November. Darragh McElhinney, Danielle Donegan and Sarah Kelly all donned Irish singlets and did us proud with their performances against Europe’s elite. As we enter a new calendar year, the intervarsity championships will be coming thick and fast for the Bears, with indoor, cross country and outdoor championships to navigate between now and the end of the academic year. As always, we will take it all in our stride, with plenty of medals of all colours undoubtedly still to come.
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Athletics Ciarán Crowther UCD Athletics Club Last weekend, UCD Athletics Club had two athletes racing the Stirling Cross Country in Scotland, which incorporated the Celtic Cross Country International. Danielle Donegan, selected for Ireland, finished in 13th place in the Women’s U20 race while Sa-
Lacrosse Emily Ann UCD Lacrosse The UCD Lacrosse teams have had their first training back and it’s looking to be a busy season! We’re excited for week 2 and recruiting some freshers - come to our stall on Wednesday 29th, old and new hands welcome. Our first night out is on Feb 3rd and first match on Feb 8th in Galway so you’ll be
rah Kelly, selected for Northern Ireland, finished in 51st place in the Women’s U23/ Senior race. Meanwhile in Dublin, Israel Olatunde posted the fastest 60m time of the day in Round 1 of the National Indoor League representing UCD AC, clocking 6.92 seconds for the win.
part of the family in no time! This semester is a big one for us - we’ll be training up our ladies for the World Cup trials in May and the lads will be working towards the World Lacrosse Festival and U19 Men’s World Championship in Limerick this July. In addition to making sure we win the Irish Lacrosse league so we can represent Ireland again at the Euros in September.
Ultimate Frisbee Mark Carolan UCD Ultimate Frisbee Last weekend the Ultimate Frisbee Men’s All Ireland Indoor tournament took place
in Limerick. While not a university tournament, UCD Ultimate Frisbee still sent a team down, which mostly consisted of beginners who did the club very proud.
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Olympic Handball UCD Olympic Handball The UCD Olympic Handball Club have their fourth match against Astra Wings on Saturday. The Women’s lost 37-26 and the Men’s won 26-24. The UCD Olympic Handball team are the first Irish rish team to qualify and compete in the tournament “Trofeo Ciudat de Calella” in Calella, Spain, about 50km north of Barcelona. The tournament is now in its 37th year and will be taking place between 10th and 14th of April. If anybody wants to join the team, they practice on Mondays at 4:30pm to 5:00pm and Fridays on 5:00pm to 7:00pm in Hall B of the Sports Centre.
The close of January marks the start of a busy stretch for UCD tennis. On the Men’s side, UCD will field two teams in the Dublin Winter League. Our first team finds themselves in a tough group in the Class 3 division and anything higher than a mid-table finish would
Volume 33 - Issue 06
Volleyball Sarah Escalante UCD Volleyball The UCD Volleyball Premier Women have secured a victory in their first round of the Cup on January 19th, Beating Tallaght Rockets D1 team in a very close 3-0
match. The Rockets were very strong and pushed the UCD team in every set, but the girls stayed tough and focused and came away with the win. Their next round of the cup will be the weekend of February 8th. The Annual UCD Volley-
Stand out performances from Brendan Dunne and Evan Rossiter. The club was back to training hard this week, with four mixed trainings in preparation for Mixed Outdoors in two weeks’ time here in Dublin.
Tennis Neil Stokes UCD Tennis
28.01.2020
ball Blitz Competition will take place this coming weekend, 31st January to the 2nd of Feb 2020. It is a mixed tournament for all levels; from beginner to professional, all are welcome.
Photo: UCD Volleyball
Hockey represent a job well done. The Seconds have cause for optimism, having achieved promotion to Class 5 off the back of their Class 6 title win last time out. The team will be confident of progressing from the group stages this year. From there, anything can happen given the unpredictable nature of the knockout rounds. The Ladies, having been
crowned Class 2 champions last year, find themselves competing against Dublin’s elite in the highest Class 1 division. Securing their status will thus be a challenge, but the group looks tight and if a few results swing their way, then progression to the knockout stages is a distinct possibility. The action begins on January 26th.
Photo: UCD Tennis
Neil Stokes UCD Hockey These are good times indeed for UCD Hockey. The Men’s team are making a very strong challenge for a play off place in the EY League, having only been promoted this season. The team currently lies in 3rd place with only the top 4 guaranteed the opportunity to compete for the Champions Trophy. A new coaching team and a raft of new signings are clearly having the desired effect. What’s more, the team has a semi-final date in the Irish Senior Cup to look forward to, having dispatched
of Three Rock Rovers in December. In doing so, they ended Rovers’ two-year reign as champions and snapped their incredible streak of 34 consecutive wins in cup competitions dating back to February 2017. With the Firsts also having a Leinster semi final to look forward to and the seconds still alive in the Irish Junior Cup, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful around Belfield. The ladies team find themselves in a similar battle for a playoff place, lying in fifth position and just a point off Pembroke in fourth. Ladies hockey in UCD is currently riding the
crest of a wave given our strong contingent of players featuring for the eminently successful Irish team of late. Having finished third last season, the team will be confident of securing their playoff berth this time round. February represents a big month for their playoff push with a series of matches against lower ranked teams and the team will aim to go on a confidence-boosting winning streak heading into the crunch part of the season. The target then will be to avenge their semi-final defeat of last year and deny league-leaders Pegasus a second consecutive crown.
Photo: UCD Hockey