College Tribune ISSUE 11

COLLEGE TRIBUNE CELEBRATING 25 VOLUMES

Volume XXV 3rd April 2012

Issue 11

INDEPENDENT STUDENT MEDIA SINCE 1989

collegetribune.ie

Internet Addiction: A growing concern

Eating Disorders : The unfortunate reality in Ireland Page 10

Page 8

Mystery surrounds SU’s Missing Million Donie O'Sullivan Chief Reporter

- University denies responsibility for supervising its employee -SUPresident-elect claims SU and University are both responsible for €1million debt that axed student services -Full accounts to be published on 12th April -Accounting investigation only goes back as far as 2007 -USI one of UCDSU's major creditors The Students’ Union may be over €1 million in debt when accounts are published on April 12, with claim and counterclaim surrounding who is responsible for, and who will be funding, the debt repayments.

Neither the university nor the current SU President, Pat de Brún, could confirm what university staff member the Union Administrator – a university employee who played a role in managing the SU’s finances– reported to.

SU President-elect, Rachel Breslin said that she believes both the Union and the university must share responsibility for the debt problem, which has led to the axing of

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services for students.

The current investigation into the Students' Union's accounts by McNally Business Services only extends back to 2007. The Union of Students in Ireland is understood to be one of UCDSU's major creditors.

UCDSU are expected to apply for a loan when accounts are completed in the coming weeks. Pat de Brún, current SU President stressed that it would be the Students' Union who would be paying off the debt but said he expected the university to be “very supportive” of the Union.

De Brún did not rule out an increase in funding from the university that would help with loan repayments.

De Brún cites poor structures, that he claims, were “not conducive to proper financial practices” as a key cause of the accumulation of the debt.

Some of the university and Union's reporting structures are unclear, particularly those pertaining to the position of Union Administrator.

The Union Administrator was a university employee, who both the SU and university say was under secondment to the Students' Union.

The Administrator played a role in managing the SU's books. The position was abolished recently with the ratification of a new SU constitution as part of an overall reform of the Union.

The Union Administrator did have other administrative responsibilities other than their role in the SU. The former, and final, Union Administrator, Continued on page 2

Relay for Life, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, which took place last week was a rousing success with hundreds of students taking part in the twenty four hour event.

De Brún backs low cost model for student bar Conor Fox News Editor

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at de Brún, President of UCD Students’ Union, has stated that he is working with the Student Club committee on solutions for the future of the bar; including hiring a bar industry consultant to assist in the creation of a long-term business plan.

De Brún states that while the members of the committee are working extensively with the current bar staff “unfortunately [we] don’t have

the time required to put into the bar on a day-to-day basis, so we felt that bringing in an external resource would be prudent”.

The consultant is preparing a proposal to present to the committee in the coming week; his fees will be included.

The committee plans on examining every aspect of the bar’s activities in an attempt to make it profitable again.

Students have complained in recent years of the price of drinks in the bar. 2nd year student, Maria, in-

forms the College Tribune that it’d “be better if the €3 drinks were more often ... it’s much cheaper to just predrink at home.”

The SU President acknowledges this feeling, stating that “students are now more inclined to get their alcohol in an off-license and drink at home instead of the bar. In order to be competitive, I feel we need to reduce prices in line with the economic realities we’re faced with.”

He argues that there is potential in the Student Club as “it is a members’ club that

is there to serve the needs of the [students]. That gives me faith that we can turn it around into a bar that students want to spend time, and money, in.”

De Brún’s aim is to deliver a lower-cost model “in time for the beginning of the next academic term, although it is undoubtedly a challenge, i think it would be fantastic to be able to re-launch the bar completely from the first week back.”

The new Forum bar should also be open in time for the beginning of the forthcoming academic year.

INSIDE Neil Jordan / Summer Festival Guide / UCD Noughties Orchestra

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NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF MARIAN FITZGERALD Female genital mutilation banned in Ireland A law recently passed by the Seanad has made the practice of female genital mutilation illegal in Ireland. It has also made it illegal for anyone living in Ireland to take a girl to another country to have the procedure carried out. There are currently 3,000 women living in Ireland who are thought to have had the procedure. The procedure has become a problem in this country, mainly in relation to migrant women.

Search warrants found to be unconstitutional Earlier this month the Supreme Court ruled that searches could not be carried out under Section 29 of the Offences against the State Act. The law, which had allowed Gardaí to use warrants which had been issued by another member of the force, was deemed to be unconstitutional. In relation to search warrants minister Shatter stated ‘the Garda Siochana must be in a position to take action to safeguard the public if circumstances or urgency arise, for example relating to suspected offences involving firearms and explosives.’

news@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25thApril 11th 3rd October October 2012 2011 2011

Mystery surrounds SU’s Missing Million Mr. David Carmody remains a university employee but has been on sick leave for some time.

On reporting structures the university state, “the administrative post was under secondment to the Students’ Union, and as such reported to the President of the Students’ Union.”

The recently replaced SU constitution also stated that the Union Administrator “shall be directly responsible to the [SU] President.”

However de Brún does not believe this was the case in practice.

The accounts may reveal when and how the debt began to accumulate. The full accounts will be presented to the last Union Council of the year on 12th April, according to de Brún.

The accounts were due to be published at an earlier date but de Brún claims delays were caused by the thoroughness of the investigation.

De Brún's three predecessors, Paul Lynam, Gary Redmond and Aodhan O Dea have all told the College Tribune that during their time in office they were never aware of a substantial debt.

In a statement to the College Tribune Gary Redmond, current Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President and

former UCDSU President claimed “at no point during my time as an employee, Vice-President or President of UCDSU did I have any notion that the Students' Union may have been in any sort of financial difficulty. To be honest I was absolutely shocked when I initially learned that the SU was in serious financial difficulties and flabbergasted when the true scale of the debt began to surface.”

On the position of Union Administrator, Redmond claimed, “as a University employee the SU had no legal or other authority to discipline or review the performance of the [Union] financial administrator.”

De Brún told the College Tribune, “I was a sabbatical officer the year before [this] year and I would never have said that person was reporting to the [SU] President, I never got that impression.”

“You could say the university has a role to play here, you could say the Union has a role to play here. The limbo in which that arrangement existed was not conducive to proper financial practices.

The [Union] Administrator was seconded and that did create a lack of oversight for that position and it's got us

in a hell of a mess undoubtedly,” he claimed.

Pat de Brún said his predecessor Paul Lynam told him that “he was beginning to grow concerned” before de Brún took office last July. De Brún said he didn't think it was a major problem at first, but as more and more creditors began to contact the Union he realised the issue was very serious.

Lynam claims financial issues only came to light in June of last year and said that throughout his year as President he was assured that the SU accounts were healthy.

Current SU Welfare Officer and SU President-elect Rachel Breslin said she believes the SU and the university share responsibility for the accumulation and the payment of the debt. “The college is responsible because there is a member of the college staff who is also part of our accounting team and the expenses had to go through.

So absolutely, it is the SU because the SU were the people that were spending the money but also the college because of staff members involvement there,” Breslin claimed at a SU election hustings last month.

Accountants working to bring the SU accounts up to date will also compile a report which is expected to outline how they believe the debt accumulated.

De Brún also told the College Tribune he believes closing the SU copy bureau before Christmas was the right decision. Responding to a common criticism leveled against him, that he should have waited until all the accounts were completed before closing the bureau de Brún said; “I don't regret it, it wouldn't have changed anything apart from our debt would have gotten bigger. It was a very simple one in that the copy bureau only had three suppliers altogether and then the staff costs so it was extremely simple to figure out where it was [..] when it comes to the shops you have hundreds of suppliers” and said it was much more complex in comparison.

However de Brún did speak about how difficult it was to make long term Union staff redundant. “it's horrible, it's something I hope I never have to do again. It still upsets me to a certain extent but at the same time I don't regret the decision. At the time and since it's caused me quite a few sleepless nights.

The implications are very far reaching, it's not something that a twenty one year old would like to do or anyone would like to do really but that was the situation we were faced with.”

UCD Students to Vote on SU Fees Policy Sophie Kelly Reporter

Post-graduate loan scheme for UCD Following a previously passed Union Council motion mandating Council to look at the feasibility of a post-graduate loan scheme, UCDSU President, Pat de Brún has met with the Registrar and Bursar, stating they are “fully in support of such a venture”. He is also in talks with banks regarding a potential partnership with UCD. A preferendum will be held on April 10th and 11th on this subject.

No regrets over copy bureau closure, says de Brún

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he Students’ Union of UCD has announced a campus wide preferendum will take place in order to set the SU policy on third level funding. The referendum is set to be held Tuesday the 10th and Wednesday the 11th of April alongside the Union’s College Convener elections.

This is the first time students have been asked to vote on the issue of third level funding and UCDSU President, Pat de Brún tells the College Tribune this ‘’referendum will probably be the most significant vote held in UCD in recent memory’’.

UCDSU have made the decision to put the question to a preferendum, following many students’ expressions of dissatisfaction with the current policy.

Last month saw the Minister for Education & Skills Ruairí Quinn announce that students could anticipate an increase in the student con-

tribution charge to €3,000 by 2016.

This increase along with major cuts to the higher education authority grant and university funding being decimated are a major blow for students and university Unions across the country.

President Pat de Brún informed the College Tribune

that “the Union will not be taking a stance in favour of any particular option, but officers are free to support any option they wish in a personal capacity’’.

De Brún himself won’t be publicly campaigning but tells the College Tribune, “I will make no secret of the fact that I believe that a graduate

tax is the best option available’’.

Graduate tax is one of the five separate funding models which UCD students will be asked to vote on. The other models include a student loan scheme, up-front fees, full exchequer funding and the student contribution/ registration fee which is currently in place.

Students can find summaries as well as pro and con lists of each model on the students’ unions impartial information website www. voteucd.ie. As SU President, de Brún urges “all students to make the effort to get informed’’ on their options before the referendum takes place. Other interest groups such as FEE – Free Education for Everyone - and Labour Youth will also be setting up campaigns on the issue in the coming days.

The referendum will be held along elections for the seven College Conveners, Graduate Officer and Oifigeach na Gaeilge positions.

Residents plagued by thefts Conor Fox News Editor

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ollowing a number of thefts, students in oncampus Residences have been advised to “close all windows, lock your doors and do not leave any doors on the latch!” in an e-mail sent by the Manager of Residential Services Richard Brierley.

One student who lives in the Belgrove Residences told the College Tribune that his apartment was burgled between the hours of 8pm and 9pm on Thursday 22nd of March. His and one of his housemate’s rooms were both open. The thief took his laptop, mobile phone, suit, and a savings card. The first year is unsure of insurance will cover the loss of his valuables.

Brierley informed the Tribune that incidents are “being investigated by the Gardaí who are following up a number of leads, and Residential Assistants, Security, and Campus Services are actively monitoring the Residences.”

Following reports that Residences Services allegedly had a photograph of the thief, the College Tribune sought access to the image.

It was neither confirmed nor denied that a photograph existed nor was a statement given on why, if it existed, such an image would not be released to the student body.

Tribune Plays April Fools Prank Donie O'Sullivan Chief Prankster

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any visitors to the College Tribune website on Sunday fell victim to the paper's annual April Fools' Day prank.

An article, which was read by over 4,000 people claimed the student bar would serve €1 pints on Monday, 2nd April. The article, authored by "Walter Cronkite" also hinted that Jay-Z would take to the stage at this year's UCD Ball. Unfortunaley JayZ has other commitments on 20th April, the student bar didn't serve €1 drinks on Monday and the legendary American journalist Walter Cronkite passed away a number of years ago. Although some students realised it was a prank immediately, others were not so quick to catch on. ........Suckers!

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

Darcy “heartbroken” over mystery tour Conor Fox News Editor

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n an interview with the College Tribune Stephen Darcy, Entertainments Vice-President, said that he was “heartbroken” about the cancellation of the Mystery Tour which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday last.

Cancelled due to poor ticket sales, Darcy stated that the loss made by the cancellation was minimal, “the only cost was the printing charge which wasn’t substantial.”

He explained that “two [of the locations] were daytime clubs and there was no expense in opening them; the final club was open anyway so there was no expense there.”

Darcy further stated that the twenty buses booked for the event were hired from a company used regularly by the Union so a deposit was not lost.

At Union Council, ques-

tions arose regarding the lack of publicity of the event which mainly took place over social media. Roisin Conran, Business Programme Officer, argued that “a lot of people didn’t know it was on, it was a last minute thing ... people need to be given advance warning to save for tickets”.

Eoin Heffernan, Ents Officer elect, told the Tribune that he was busy with his studies and didn’t see much publicity. Pat de Brún, UCDSU President, stated that “the fact that it was postponed twice did not leave enough time to promote it effectively.”

Darcy stated that the facebook event for the Mystery Tour was the biggest one so far this year. There were 336 attending and 1,000 tickets available.

He tried to explain that “there are so many facebook events” that students don’t click attending but there was a lot of interest which “unfor-

tunately didn’t translate into ticket sales.”

When asked why he felt students did not purchase tickets, Darcy replied that it was “just a combination of people having no money ...

UCD Ball tickets going on sale at the same time ... there was just too much on”.

The ‘Spin 103.8 Student Races’ at Leopardstown occurred on the same day as the planned Mystery Tour. UCDSU sold over 900 tickets, making an estimated profit of €930. De Brún also felt that the huge popularity of the student races “completely overshadowed” the mystery tour.

Darcy told the Tribune that he hopes to put on the Mystery Tour directly after the exam period, “I might put it to a student poll to see if there’s enough interest”.

In relation to the UCD Ball, he confirmed that sales are “well past” the 3,000 mark but he was not allowed

Megan Purcell:

Are you going to UCD Ball? Yea I am, the line-up is

pretty good and he seems to have redeemed himself a bit there.

to reveal the exact figures.

Students have complained that the line up is disappointing with some hoping that more acts may be announced but the Ents Vice-President told the Tribune that “there’s no major surprises coming up ... we’ve spent our budget in terms of acts ... [but] there may be another one or two little acts”.

In his manifesto, Darcy promised to have a carnival

on site but he has failed to follow through on that. “The guards wouldn’t let us this year ... it was a nice idea [but] I can’t argue with the guards ... after last year, I’m doing anything to keep [them] sweet.”

Darcy is confident that the event will be a success, “we’re so prepared for it and it’s just a matter of selling it out now, the hard part now.”

Do you think the mystery tour was publicized properly? Fiona- I only heard about

President was elected because of this mystery tour, and then it got cancelled.

it a week before. Ailbhe- I only saw it briefly come up on the ents page, which was about it really.

Sorcha Lynch and Ciaran O’Rourke:

3

INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN BRIEF

PAUL HEALY

Fiona Smyth and Ailbhe McGoldrick:

Do you think the mystery tour was publicized properly?: Well our Ents Vice-

NEWS

Are you going to UCD Ball? Both-Yeah!

Cathy Berger:

Assad raises questions over peace deal President Bashar alAssad has raised doubt that a UN backed initiative he signed last week will actually take place.

The president seemed to create new terms and conditions as he claimed Syrian rebels must first disarm before a peace deal can be discussed.

Further doubt was raised when the president stated that he would only engage in peace talks with opposition members “that work for the security and stability of the country". Some have viewed this statement as a suggestion that Mr Assad intends to shut out the Syrian National Council, his main opposition, from peace negotiations.

Tibetan monk sets self on fire A 20-year-old Tibetan monk in southwestern China has become the latest to die by selfimmolation in protest against the authoritarian government. Over 30 self-immolation attempts have occurred in the past year by activists who claim it is the only way to protest Beijing’s oppressive rule.

Do you think the mystery tour was publicized properly? They could have

tour?

done a lot more, they could have publicized it earlier.

Lobsang Sherab shouted anti-China declarations as he burned on the main street in his hometown of Jialuo.

Are you going to UCD Ball? : Sorcha- Yeah, can’t

Are you going to UCD Ball? Yeah, absolutely!

Pope visits Cuba Last Monday, Pope Benedict XVI touched down in Cuba for what was to be the country’s second papal visit in history. The Pope, 84, was greeted by the Cuban President Raul Castro and the nation’s clergy.

Do you think the mystery tour was publicized properly? : Ciaran-What mystery

wait.

Ciaran- No, it just doesn’t seem interesting

Benedict held a public mass in Havana’s Revolution Square where an estimated 300,000 worshippers assembled.

In his speech, the Pope urged Cubans to search for “authentic freedom”.

At the end of his threeday-long trip, Pope Benedict met with former leader, Fidel Castro, before flying back to Rome.

In his farewell speech, he criticised the US trade embargo for being too restrictive and an unfair burden on the Cuban people.

dn

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NEWS

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

3rd April 2012

Olympics training campus unlikely for UCD Shane Scott News Reporter

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ith the loss of the running track and the new swimming pool still unfinished, it seems that UCD's hopes for a pre-Olympic training campus could be slipping away.

UCD announced its bid for the training campus in April 2010, with Dr. Martin Butler noting in an interview with the University Observer that “teams will come here sometimes three months in advance”.

However, the loss of the 400 metre, eight lane running track and the incompletion of the 50 metre FINA standard Olympic swimming pool means that the University's attempts to attract Olympic teams to the campus may have been in vain.

Speaking to the College Tribune, current Sports Officer and newly elected Campaigns and Communications Sabbatical Officer Paddy Guiney stated that “UCD has a range of world class facili-

ties that could play host to any potential Olympic team”, listing the facilities that UCD could offer Olympic teams should they choose to use Belfield as their pre-Olympic training campus, such as "the many grass pitches located around the Sports center, both normal and artificial all weather pitches, squash courts, hockey pitches which hosted the recent hockey internationals to qualify for the Olympics and The Rifle Range found in the Boiler House which is considered to be one of the top facilities in Ireland".

When asked about the state of the new Sports Centre, Guiney confirmed that the centre will be “open to the public in June” and that “a focus group along with UCD officials and members of the UCD athletics club is still on-going about the proposal of a new track”.

However, even if the Sports Centre opens in June, it is unlikely that Olympic teams will see this as being sufficient time to prepare for

the Olympics which start the following month.

However Emmy Coffey, a member of the UCD athletics club, had a less positive outlook on the situation: “There seems to be no progress [on the new track] and we’re having to train in different locations”. Coffey also complained that there seems to be little progress on “the promised temporary throws area that was due to be implemented near Richview/ High Performance Centre late January”, another facility that UCD has lost since announcing their intention to attract Olympians to the campus.

Neither the Athletics club nor Paddy Guiney could reveal whether any Olympic teams have confirmed that they would use the campus for pre-Olympic training, or even shown any recent interest in the proposal. At the time of going to print UCD Sports had not commented on the issue.

In terms of UCD students set for London, Athletics

Matthew Farrelly News Reporter

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Club captain Richard Owens discussed how some current and past UCD students were looking good for London: "Ciara Mageean, first year Physiotherapy student, should be the youngest member of the team and already has the 1500 meter B standard. Derval O'Rourke, will be

there 100% in the 100 meter hurdles, Deirdre Ryan, will be there in the high jump, and Steven Colvert looks set to be going in the 200 meters; he is just off the time and is currently in LA training with Paul Hession and David Gillick."

#makeitcount with Nike Leighanne Bent News Reporter

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TC, Nike Training Club is a workout class for women in UCD. It is held on Tuesday evenings in the Sports Centre at 5p.m. and sessions cost €4.

NTC only has three base locations in Ireland, DCU, Trinity and UCD. The club is run by over 30 Nike brand ambassadors across Britain and Ireland in many leading universities.

NTC’s work out programme aims to help women achieve fitness goals in a friendly and supportive environment. The session involves the workout of the entire body through dumbbells and exercise based activities.

According to Sophia Ellis, Nike brand ambassador, the club aims to turn “brand fans into active athletes” by “providing them with a friendly, go-to community where they can enjoy a positive atmosphere working out”.

The club also has many incentives for women to take part, such as ‘Nike Woman of

the Week’. Goals achieved at the end of each week allow members in with the chance of winning various products.

Ellis explained to the College Tribune that the girls are” encouraged to establish their fitness goals and work towards them”. ‘Test Week’ is also held at the end of the year to determine the development of each member since joining the club.

Different advertising techniques are being used to spread the word about Nike Training Club. A flash mob is due to take place in St. Stephan’s Green, the date of which is still to be confirmed.

UCD are planning to do a matching flash mob on the same day as the one organised in St. Stephen’s Green.

Rumours and hints of an event to celebrate NTC have also been suggested by Nike.

This rumoured event is to take place in London sometime in the summer months.

This will involve members of training clubs in some shape or form.

Sophia stated the aim of the club is “to make it more than a fitness class,” which

she believes is sometimes the only goal of other fitness clubs. The club is solely dedicated in the support of girls to help them establish their aims and goals.

The club is supporting the social media driven cam-

‘Lunchtime Concert Series’ wrap up

paign by Nike which encourages participants to ‘Make It Count’ in 2012; acting like a New Year’s resolution for physical fitness and positive change. Ellis told the Tribune that it “involves a commitment to make something

of yourself in the year 2012, leading up to the Olympics”.

It’s a modernized version of their ‘Just Do It’ slogan and has helped increase brand dominance – and prices of Nike shares.

CD’s Music Society has wrapped up its new series of ‘Lunchtime Concert Series’ this year in preparation for their ‘End of Semester Recital’, occurring in April.

The series of lunch recitals are aimed at encouraging live music on campus, bringing in professional performers to give recitals as well as UCD students.

Ruth O'Mahony Brady, Auditor of the Music Society believes that they give student musicians “a platform to perform for their peers in a comfortable setting … we cater for all instruments and abilities”.

The recitals have been running intermittently, since the society was re-established after a long period of inactivity.

The primary focus of the series and the ‘Music Society Open Mic Night’ events are all aimed, according to O’Mahony Brady, “to encourage a greater sense of 'live' music taking place on campus”.

This ideal can be seen in the series last recital, 28th March which involved Donal Swan on piano performing a mixture from John Williams to Bach.

The series will begin again next year and the hope for the society is that more will become involved in their endeavour to attract UCD talent to perform.

O’Mahony Brady had these final words to say, “next year we'd love to have enough students put themselves forward so that we could host recitals every week - it's really just up to people to get in touch!”

If anyone does wish to apply to perform at the recitals, they can email the Music Society at musicsoc@ucd. ie with their name, student number, instrument and chosen piece(s).

Got a news story?

Get in touch: news@ collegetribune. ie Tel: 01-716-8501

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

NEWS

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UCD and TCD to UCDSU back Logue for USI President go head-to-head in the position of Academic AfConor Fox fairs and Quality Assurance were present at the hustings.

‘University Challenge’ Ciarán Nevin, the second n Thursday 29th News Editor

Ryan Cullen Editor

U

CD SU Welfare Vice President Rachel Breslin has unveiled plans to host a University Challenge on campus with the aim to raise in excess of €700 for the Saint Vincent De Paul Emergency fund.

The event is set to be held on April 16th in the Astra Hall with the total prize amounted to €400 for the winning team. €200 of the prize fund has been donated by UCDSU and €200 put up by Trinity's University Challenge Society who will also compete in the challenge. Try outs for the UCD team will take place on April 11th and will cost €2 to enter with €3 entry fee on the night.

"This sort of event has never been run before, so while it’s very difficult to set a target," Breslin said, but remains confident: “I hope to raise in excess of €700

Cartoon

By Dan Daly

because I am keen to raise as much money for the SVP emergency fund as possible because it is something that has helped many students this year through very tough situations.” The University Challenge is a non-alcohol event which “differs from usual UCDSU events” and “would attract a different group of people” she claimed.

The event which will feature a guest host (who has yet to be confirmed) will see UCD’S brightest minds take on Trinity’s elite. “People enjoy the friendly UCD-Trinity rivalry and this is the first time we will be going head to head in an intellectual competition.

I am very keen to make the event as entertaining as possible through other things happening on the night and hope that UCD v Trinity University Challenge will become a annual fixture in the future.”

O

March, Union Council hosted hustings for a number of candidates running for election to positions in the Union of Students in Ireland. Following the hustings, Council voted as to which candidates delegates would be mandated to vote for at USI Congress on Tuesday 3rd April.

USI Congress is being held this week in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway and 25 delegates from UCD are attending; comprising of the Sabbatical Officers (excluding Entertainments Vice-President Stephen Darcy), a number of Executive Officers, class reps, and members of the general student body.

Presidential candidate John Logue, Campaigns candidate Kate Acheson, Equality and Citizenship candidates Justyn Mackay and Laura Harmon, Irish Language and Culture candidate Peadar de Bluit, Welfare candidate Denise McCarthy, and Cat O’Driscoll, candidate for

candidate for the position of President of USI, was unable to attend the hustings due to a previous engagement in DIT. A Union source told the College Tribune that during the deliberations “[they] tended to go with what the Sabbats said because they’d have worked with some of them.”

Peadar de Bluit, the current Vice-President for the Irish Language and Culture is seeking re-election, but Council voted to Re-Open Nominations as he “didn’t do much last year”. The Tribune source stated that Council mandated its delegates to vote for Denise McCarthy, Cat O’Driscoll and Kate Acheson on Tuesday 3rd.

Laura Harmon from University College Cork will receive UCDSU’s twenty five votes for the position of VicePresident for Equality and Citizenship over Justyn Mackay. When asked by Council what he felt were his oppo-

nent’s biggest strengths and weaknesses, Mackay stated that as Harmon’s experience was largely in LGBT affairs this was both her strength and her weakness.

It was decided that the delegates for UCD Students’ Union will vote for John Logue, a Law student in UCD. During the hustings, Logue stated that he would not hold a national march next year as he felt they did

not work. The College Tribune was informed that due to this there was a “big debate over Logue ... that’s not his decision to make, it’s for national council to decide”.

Union Council also felt “bad” that Nevin was not present.

The voting for USI positions will take place at USI Congress on the 3rd of April and counting will take place on Wednesday 4th of April.

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NEWS IN FOCUS

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

3rd April 2012

Fiscal Referendum Colin O'Shaughnessy provides an explanation of the upcoming referendum.

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ánaiste Eamon Gilmore announced last week that the referendum on the European fiscal treaty will take place on Thursday, May 31st.

This date will be seen as a positive by the many UCD undergraduates who are not registered to vote in Dublin, as second semester exams are set to conclude on May 12th. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that, unlike the referenda to ratify the Treaties of Nice and Lisbon, there will be no second vote if this treaty is defeated.

“It is a once off, so when the Irish people make their choice, that’s it.”

This is because the Fiscal Compact Treaty is an intergovernmental agreement and technically not an EU treaty, which means that it requires ratification by just twelve of the seventeen Eurozone members, and will enter into force for the other

signatory nations regardless of how Ireland votes.

The treaty itself is just one part of the European community’s response to the financial crisis, which at one point was seen as a threat to the very future of the European Union.

The European Commission has proposed six new pieces of legislation which will take significant steps towards preventing such a crisis in the future, allowing it to intervene when it detects possible budgetary or macroeconomic problems in a Member State.

However, the central facet of the EU’s tirade against budgetary ill-discipline is undoubtedly the Fiscal Compact Treaty.

The supposed point of the treaty is to prevent Eurozone countries from running structural budget deficits. Under current EU law, Member States are legally

required to avoid excessive government deficits and the Council can impose fines on a Member State if they are in breach of the rules.

What the new intergovernmental treaty proposes to do is oblige signatory nations ‘to transpose the "balanced budget rule" into their national legal systems, through binding, permanent and preferably constitutional provisions’.

The balanced budget rule “shall be deemed to be respected if the annual structural balance of the general government is at its country-specific medium-term objective, as defined in the revised Stability and Growth Pact, with a lower limit of a structural deficit of 0.5 % of the gross domestic product at market prices.” It is a complex rule, but it is complex for a reason.

Firstly, the “structural balance” is not an ordinary,

Not Dead Yet? As our generation grows in influence, Timothy Potenz takes a look at how we regard religion and the Catholic Church.

I

f you are reading this paper, it is unlikely that you were able to spell the word “diocese” this week 17 years ago.

At that time, in early April 1995, Andrew Madden became the first victim of clerical child sex abuse in Ireland to go public about his ordeal.

The event was a landmark, signaling one of the most significant changes in Irish history. For the great majority of the nation it marked a betrayal, a powerful shift in attitudes, and a hammering emotional blow.

Most of the people currently attending this university, on the other hand, probably didn't even notice.

That generation has now matured, the first in Irish history to have spent the entirety of their conscious lives viewing the dominance of the Irish Catholic Church not as a reality, but as a section in their history books.

So what does this mean?

If we are “the future,” how does the Church fit into the world that we are going to build?

“It's dead,” asserts David Nolan, 2nd Year student of Medicine. “Everyone knows

that really. There might be a few hangers on, but really I think everyone sees religion as dying out.”

However, this reporter interviewed six students on their perceptions of the Catholic Church, and even in this small group the attitudes revealed were far from uniform. The only consensus was not that the Church's place in society has disappeared, but that it had changed.

“It's not that the Church is gone, it's just that the old way it did things is gone,” says 2nd year Stephen Dunne. “It's not aggressive or dominating anymore, its more open-armed.”

2nd year Laura Cullen, a member of UCD's Newman Society, has a similar sentiment.

“The priests in UCD are really really nice. They focus on being inclusive and modern. Its not like the way it was when my father had to kiss the ring. Everyone is just welcoming.”

This shift from the iron grip to the velvet glove is one of the most significant changes in the Church in the last half century. What makes it

particularly interesting for our generation, however, is the extent to which we can really perceive it as a shift.

“I know things used to be different,” says Laura. “But I've always been surrounded by positivity in the Church. I didn't experience the abuse.”

“All of that is kind of distant from me,” comments Arts student James McCarthy. “Like, I know [the abuses] happened, and its really important and I understand why people felt betrayed. But I've only ever known it as something in history. Its awful in the same way the Holocaust was awful, if you get me.”

If, as this attitude suggests, the abuses which caused

arithmetic balance. It is a detailed estimate of what the budget’s surplus or deficit would be if the economy was not in a temporary recession or boom. The benefit of using this method is that poor budgetary decisions can be prevented; Ireland had a structural deficit for much of the Celtic Tiger period, but the government of the day was fooled into implementing policies of less tax and more spending by a real

budget surplus, which led to an extremely harsh boombust cycle.

Secondly, the “countryspecific medium-term objective” is to be proposed by the European Commission for each country on an individual basis, so Ireland would have to have at most a 0.5% structural deficit from the budgetary objective it agrees with the European Commission on a medium-term basis.

the downfall of the Church are something distant in our eyes, has a window been left open for the Church to recover as our generation continues to grow in influence?

“I don't think the Church can ever really recover to what it was anyway,” says 1st year John Donoghue.

“People are too rational for that now. We think about things.” “The Irish are not sheep anymore,” asserts Catherine Delany of 2nd year Arts. “We don't just follow the parish priest's advice or wait for Sunday mass to tell us what to think. The Church won't ever get that back I think.”

Religion and religious devotion have long been associated with conformity and a stifling of individualism. It is an understandable outlook then that as we become a n

increasingly individualistic and free thinking society we would move away from religious affiliations.

Yet there is something odd about this argument.

Religious youth are, quite frankly, rare in Ireland. This is something they readily admit.

“Oh no doubt,” says Laura. “You absolutely feel like you're in a minority.”

If this is the case, does it make sense to say that to be a re- ligious person in our generation is actually to be individualistic?

“I definitely think religion encourages individualism,” Laura contin-

If the referendum is passed, the Oireachtas will legislate for an Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, which will be given the power to independently assess, and publicly comment on, the soundness of the government’s macroeconomic projections, budgetary projections and fiscal stance. This will prevent the government of the day publishing unaffordable and economically unsound budgets in an election year, as was the case in 2002 and 2007.

The most recent RedC/ Sunday Business Post poll puts the ‘Yes’ vote at 60% of voters who expressed an opinion.

The ‘Yes’ campaign, which is supported by Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil, is confident that the referendum will pass on its own merits and is keen to distinguish it from controversial issues such as the Household Charge.

Meanwhile the ‘No’ side, backed by Sinn Féin and the technical group, has already dubbed it ‘The Austerity Treaty’.

ues. “Its completely unique.

Living reverently is individual in that its unusual.”

The history of attitudes to religion in other countries reveals that the only thing constant is change. The 1940s and 50s have been described as “arguably the most religious in American history,” yet they were followed by the remarkably atheistic 60s. At this point in time, the evangelical vote is one of the most influential in America.

So where does this leave us? For our generation, the Church is not so much missing as it is different, not so much dominant as it is “open-armed,” and not so much an expression of conformity as of individualism.

The future of the Church may be less certain than we would think.

news@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 21th March 2012

Where's Our Wallet?

NEWS IN FOCUS

7

Frances Ivens and Roisín Carlos conduct and analyse a poll on UCD students' spending habits.

A

poll of 200 students conducted by the College Tribune has provided an insight into the current trends in student spending. As well as showing the amount of money spent by students, the survey reveals the differences in how students perceive their own spending habits, as well as those of their peers.

The majority of students questioned considered their

that everybody tends to think that they are middle class.

Ask yourself- what economic class do you belong to? This may be a consequence of the simple tendency for people to be so used to their own situation that they think there is nothing extreme about it.

On the other hand, we may simply be trying to excuse ourselves of habits that, unless we believe they are normal, could come across as

the national statistics office published its findings on household spending. The results showed that an average household spends €40 a week on alcohol and cigarettes. This would indicate that students are a somewhat accurate microcosm of Ireland as a whole.

Of the students questioned, the majority of those who spent under €10 a week on alcohol were girls. However, out of those spending 24.5% of the 200 polled said that their funding over €50 a came entirely from their parents week on alcohol boys and girls spending to be ‘normal’ com- overly austere or lavishly were represented equally. pared to that of their peers. excerssive. Is it best to just to This compares to a survey of However, within the 67% seem normal?

1,000 of students who considered Whilst filling out the sur- students carried out last year themselves to be within the vey it is also notable that on behalf of the credit union ‘normal’ student spending many students were anx"..students were bracket, student spending ious to compare their own actually varied quite widely. answers to those of their anxious to comSome students who consid- friends. The surveyors nopare their own anered their spending to be ticed that students were normal spend over €120 a hesitant to fill in the brackswers to those of ets at the extreme end of the “This is the first poll, preferring to fill out the their friends." time ever that middle brackets- spending of Ireland, 66% of those askedwhen they were said that when cutting back UCD students will €50-€120unsure. This preference to on spending they would cut ever be asked to be in the middle may be seen back on alcohol. When asked, as an indication of individu- it was found that female stuvote on this issue” als reluctant to reveal the dents were more likely to cut week, others spend under true levels of their spending. back on alcohol, whilst male €85.

In relation to spending students said they would reThis suggests that within on alcohol, as with spend- duce their phone calls. the student body there ex- ing in general, the majority As to the sources of stuists a wide range of percep- of those asked fell within the dent finances, 24.5% of the tions as to student spend- middle brackets, spending 200 polled said that their ing. Furthermore, it seems €10-50 a week on alcohol funding came entirely from to echo the common statistic and going out. Last week their parents. This sharply

STAT:

8.5% €120-€150

5% Over €150 19.5% Under €50

22.5% €85-€120 44.5% €50-€85

How much money do you spend a week (not including rent)?

contrasts the results of the lege whereas those living but their stance on fees could Credit Union survey in which away from home rely upon be subject to change as in an it was found that 72% of col- the support from families. upcoming funding policy reflege students rely on their This observation was erendum on April 10th and parents. In addition, in the reiterated by second year 11th. Students will be asked same survey 9/10 parents economics student, Kate to vote on what the SU’s said that they supported Greene. “I have a part time policy should be when camtheir children with college job time at the weekends so paigning on third level fundrelated costs.

I basically fund my spending ing. This is the first time ever Conversely; just under a in college but despite all this that UCD students will ever third of those asked at UCD work, I still rely heavily upon be asked to vote on this issue. said that they provided most my parents for the big bits of On average, it was found of their m o n e y t h e m 65% of those who live at home support themselves. In selves financially throughout college the national survey 55% of students had a job to make spending like the cost of ac- that most students spend beends meet, with 33% admit- commodation and university tween €50 to €85 each week, ting to missing lectures in fees.” not including the cost of rent. order to work.

In addition, students in One student expressed There is considerable Dublin are subject to even his attitude towards the exvariation of student spend- higher expenses, as Dublin cessive spending of some ing across the student body. is ranked within the top 50 students around him. “I see This huge range of expendi- most expensive cities glob- other students around me ture across the student body ally, and in the top 15 most spending a lot more than I may be attributed to various expensive cities in the EU. do, especially on alcohol and factors such as living ar- Dublin’s high costs were going out, I don’t know how rangements, student source acknowledged by Interna- they do it.” of income and their socio- tional student Satnam Surae, For those students who economic backgrounds. completing his PhD in UCD, do struggle with money durwho told the Tribune that ing their college experience, "Female stu- he found the cost of living UCD has a range of financial dents were more in Dublin to be much higher services and supports to help than he expected, especially the students most in need. likely to cut back with regards to alcohol and These supports come from a range of different areas and on alcohol, whilst transport.

One issue which is faced include the Student Welfare male students said by all students is the rising Fund, the Student Assistance they would reduce cost of tuition in Ireland, as Fund, the SVP Emergency registration fees have been Fund and the Childcare Astheir phone calls." raised in the past two years. sistance Fund. More inforCurrently, the student con- mation can be provided by The Tribune poll found tribution is set to rise to the elected Student Union that one of the most signifi- €3,000, in conjunction with Welfare Officer. cant factors in student the grant being cut, and the spending is whether or decimation of University not a student is living at funding. home. 65% of those who live Traditionally the UCD at home support themselves Students Union has supportfinancially throughout col- ed the free fees campaigns

STAT:

88

FEATURES

features@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

A dream come true Laura Cullen looks at the bid to make Wishmakers on Campus a society In 1980 in the United States, 7-year-old Chris Greicius, who was being treated for leukaemia at the time, experienced the joy that having a wish come true can bring.

Two days before he died, Chris got to experience what it was like to be a policeman.

Not only was he flown in a police helicopter, he was also kitted out in full policeman regalia that was specially tailored to fit him perfectly.

Chris passed away two days later and was given a police funeral with full honours.

This incident marked the birth of the Make a Wish Foundation, which has since grown from strength to strength. This charity devotes its time to helping the sickest, and sometimes most unfortunate kids in society, by giving them a day of their dreams. As their mission statement affirms, the aim of Make a Wish is to “grant the wishes of children with lifethreatening medical conditions to enrich the human ex-

perience with hope, strength, and joy”.

In 1992 the Irish Make a Wish Foundation was founded and since its inception it has helped make over a 1000 children’s dreams come true. That’s quite a feat, so the possibility that a Make a Wish Society could be established in UCD is an exciting thought. Daniel Creegan, would-be auditor of this society, noted that while setting up a new society on campus is difficult, they are hopeful that by September some progress will have been made and the coveted 1,000 signatures will have been obtained. At the moment they have 700.

When asked about the aim of the society, Daniel responded that it not only endeavours to create awareness of Make a Wish Ireland, but also to raise money and spread the word to other university societies. If UCD Make a Wish is set up, they will be the first Make a Wish

university society in the world. A lot hinges on whether or not this society can be established. Undoubtedly, however, it is certainly something worth fighting for.

If this society receives the go ahead and firmly establishes itself in the midst of the denizens of UCD societies that are out there, students who join will find themselves participating in an organisation that makes a real difference. Groups of students will receive the opportunity to meet terminally ill children and work to try and grant these children their most desired wishes. Not only will this be exceptionally fulfilling for students, it will also make a huge difference in each child’s life.

From wishing for quad bikes, to going to Lapland - whatever these children want, they get. “Wishes are limited only by a child’s imagination” - this is the beautiful motto this charity is devoted to. What these

volunteers do is turn fantasy into reality. For a small period of time a terminally ill child can escape their world of hospitals and doctors and instead experience a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity.

They can feel carefree and worriless, enjoying nothing but the moment and their own happiness. Any charity that does this is providing a very admirable service.

The children’s families also benefit immensely from seeing their son or daughter

literally having their dreams come true before their eyes.

It can be a very poignant moment. The Make a Wish Ireland website is full of pictures of young boys and girls meeting different sports personalities like Christino Ronaldo and Fernando Torres, and singers and bands like Ne Yo and Westlife. Meeting a hero is always an unbelievable moment for anyone, even more so for a young child. If the Make a Wish UCD society is established

and contributes to helping these children act out their dreams and fantasies then it would not only be a great addition to the university in general, but also to anyone who wants to make a big difference to a child. Their facebook page is called Wishmakers on Campus UCD and they are still looking to get more signatures so they can reach a 1,000 and hopefully get this wonderful society up and running before September.

Could you live without the internet?

Conor Manning investigates the growing phenomenon of internet addiction All students in UCD will be intimately familiar with the time dilating powers of the internet, but recent research indicates that the internet may be addictive in the same way as drugs.

According to research funded by the National Science Foundation in China, overuse of the internet correlates with brain structures associated with cravings and compulsive decision making. The researchers studying Internet Addiction (IA) say that this is similar to what can be seen in addicts of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. As frequent users of the internet, are students prone to become addicted?

The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery is one place which is taking the problem of IA very seriously.

They name criteria for determining if somebody is addicted to the internet. If you use the internet as a way of avoiding problems or anxiety, if you think about your next online session while not on the internet, and if you have repeatedly made

attempts to use the internet less, but failed, then you could be addicted.

IA is a very new phenomenon, which has grown rapidly due to the exponential growth rate of technology and the widespread availability of broadband in the developed world. For this reason, research into its possible effects has lagged behind. Some psychologists still use a test devised in 1998 to determine if a given case is addiction. Most internet access worldwide in 1998 was via dial-up, and the name Wi-Fi didn't come into existence until 1999, so it is easy to see how little we really know about internet addiction.

There is no accepted common definition of IA at present. In fact, psychologists are debating whether IA is a disease in its own right or merely a symptom of other issues. This is made more difficult by the fact that those diagnosed with IA often have another addictive disorder or depression.

This confusion notwith-

standing, while experts don't agree on precisely what the nature of IA is, they all agree that it is a problem, and a huge effort is being put in to its diagnosis and into different types of treatments for the condition.

As of yet, there are no specialised IA recovery centres in Ireland, however there are centres across the world which satisfy this demand.

The National Health Service in the United Kingdom set up one such centre in 2011. The first such centre in the world is known as The Centre for Internet Addiction and was established as early as 1995 by pioneering researcher Dr. Kimberley Young.

Following Wikipedia's blackout last year over the Stop Online Piracy Act, Dr. Young highlighted how dependent even moderate internet users are upon the World Wide Web. Speaking about what would happen if the internet crashed, he said: “There would be a sense of loss: What would I do with my time?”

Dr. Young, who formulat-

ed the first test for IA, identifies several typical cases of IA: those addicted to online pornography, those addicted to online gambling, and those who surf the internet compulsively.

One of the biggest areas that has recently appeared is online gaming. Teenagers in particular are at risk of becoming hooked on Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMOR-

PGS), which create an immersive fantasy world that they can inhabit. Keith Bakker, founder of an addiction consultancy in Amsterdam, says, “video games may look innocent, but they can be as addictive as gambling or drugs and just as hard to kick.”

Treatment for internet addiction is a difficult area. It is not simply a case of gradually reducing hours spent on-

line, assisted by family and friends. IA often presents itself along with a lack of self-esteem, and this has to be reconstructed in order for treatment to be successful. In the case of online gaming or an addiction to chatting online, it is important to try to repair relationships outside of the internet whilst cutting down on internet use.

features@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

FEATURES

Presidential race heats up

9

Peter Hamilton examines recent developments in the US presidential election With the upcoming primaries over two weeks away, Mitt Romney comfortably holds the delegate lead over his republican competitors.

On the back of his lead a veritable confidence has become apparent with Romney. On Friday he made remarks regarding his plans for the future and where Obama has gone wrong. “He spent the last three or four years laying the foundation for a new government-centred society.

I will spend the next four years rebuilding the foundation of our opportunity society, led by free people and their free enterprises.” The renewed confidence of Mitt Romney is somewhat justified with his recent victory in the NBC news/Marist poll, in which Romney led Rick Santorum 40% to 33%.

Last week saw an improvement in America’s economy as the Dow Jones and the Standard and Poor’s 500 ended their best first quarter in more than a decade.

While undoubtedly positive for Obama, this is a negative measure for the republican candidates. Mr. Romney re-

marked: “President Obama did not cause the recession, but he most certainly failed to lead the recovery.”

He continued in his critique of Obama, saying: “This is a president who was not elected on the strength of a compelling record of accomplishment, but by a compelling personality and story.” Romney’s appraisal of Obama stems from his belief that Obama is not in touch with America and that he takes his cues from the “Social Democrats in Europe.”

Whatever the belief of Romney, the NBC news poll showed that 50% of those polled approve of the job that Obama is doing as president. In all of the hypothetical head-to-head match ups with the republican candidates, Obama fared the best against every candidate.

Meanwhile, Rick Santorum has received much criticism for his negativity in attacking the other potential republican presidential nominees.

He recently referred to Romney as “the worst republican in the country.” His infantile remarks got him a considera-

ble amount of criticism from party colleagues who believe that he is crossing a line by criticising his co-runner.

The negativity confirms Santorum’s struggle to find the balance between being a tenacious underdog and simply leaving himself open to criticism that he is just an embittered also-ran candidate. Despite this recent disapproval of Santorum’s continued condemnation of Romney, he still reserves plenty of derision for Romney, mocking him as the “Etch-a-sketch” candidate whose conservative views are pliable and insincere.

Similar to most US presidential elections, one of the key issues is healthcare. On this issue, Santorum views his colleague as incapable (although now he refrains from his previously sharp language). “Mr. Romney is uniquely disqualified,” Santorum mildly remarks. “I’ve got a long strong, consistent record on the issue of health care” he said.

His attacks, however, seem to be his most potent campaign weapon, given how

overwhelmingly Romney and his allies are outspending him. (They have committed $3 million to advertising compared with Santorum’s $700,000.) Santorum is certainly getting a similar amount of criticism to that which he infers on his colleagues. His opponents attacked him last week when he said in Illinois: “I don’t care what the unemployment rate is going to be.” Although he made the comment in

a broader context, he was forced to spend the ensuing week explaining himself.

Most recent polls show that Santorum’s unpopularity is on the rise. A Washington Post survey showed that 50% of Americans now express unfavourable views of him, a new high for the contestant.

This may be a reflection of his rough comments, nevertheless, Santorum will need to work hard to overturn the results of the various polls

and indeed to overtake Romney and the number of delegates he now has which leaves him firmly in the lead of the republican race.

Note: The primaries on April 24th for the District of Colombia, Maryland and Wisconsin, had not taken place at the time of going to print.

Thank God it’s Friday Sinéad Williams asks if the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday is outdated This Friday marks one of only two days in the year on which the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

The ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday and Christmas Day has been in place almost as long as the State has existed, but is it time it was done away with?

The Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927 put in place a prohibition on the sale of alcoholic drink on Christmas Day, Good Friday and St. Patrick’s Day. The law relating to St. Patrick’s Day was repealed in 1960 to allow for foreign visitors coming to Ireland to celebrate our national holiday, but the provisions regarding the other two days have endured.

Exemptions to the law exist; perhaps most famously, alcohol may be sold to those travelling by sea, air or rail. Guests of hotels can also purchase alcohol as long as it is with a meal, while attendants at a race meeting or greyhound trial can also be supplied with alcohol.

Last year UCDSU were forced to change the date of the UCD Ball because the last day of term fell on Good Friday. The event relies heavily on the sale of alcohol and would not have been financially feasible without it.

Controversy arose over the ban in 2010 when Leinster travelled to Thomond Park to take on Munster in the Magners League. Up to 26,000 fans travelled to Limerick for the rugby match, which fell on Good Friday. While Thomond Park was legally permitted to serve alcohol on the day, local pubs were not. Publicans argued that the law banning alcohol sales would lead to a loss of revenue of around €6 million.

In a landmark ruling, Limerick District Court granted pubs in Limerick an exemption to the law, allowing them to open from

6.30pm to 11.30pm. While this decision was historic, it did not account for the other licensed establishments around the country who lost out on potential profits that could have been made by showing the match on their premises.

Maintaining the ban on alcohol on Good Friday, a law inevitably put in place for religious reasons, is not something that many students seem to agree with. “I definitely disagree with it,” says Ruth Moran, a final year Arts student. “If someone thinks that it’s wrong to buy drink for religious reasons it’s got nothing to do with them if someone with completely different religious views wants to buy it.”

Igor Popenko, a second year Economics student, agrees. “I think it’s an old tradition that should be done away with considering that the majority of the population aren’t even religious in the first place. People just say they’re Catholic, that’s about it.”

Others disagree, saying that pub closure on certain days of the year have become part of our culture and should be maintained. “I think the law should

stay as it is. Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country. It’s part of our tradition and should be maintained,” says Abigail Rhodes, a first year Arts student.

“Has it gotten to the stage that we can’t survive one day without a drink?”

There is something of a culture surrounding ways to circumvent the ban. Many people stock up on alcohol in the run up to

Good Friday and host parties in lieu of going to the pub. Traditionally, off licence sales on Holy Thursday are high. How long the ban will last in an increasingly multicultural society remains to be seen. As David Tunney, a fourth year Commerce and French student puts it: "[it’s] outdated and just a bit weird, but a great excuse for a session."

Is the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday outdated? Have your say on the College Tribune website.

10 HEALTH AND FOOD Owner Eating Disorders: the unfortunate reality in Ireland of a lonely heart

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Rebecca Lambe looks at the rise and the effects of eating disorders

It was my first time.

I can still remember the feeling of elation. The suspense. The anticipation.

The rush of endorphins.

The thrill. I know, who knew that getting a message from an unknown number would ignite such a plethora of emotions?

This was possibly the first time in the history of my humble Nokia that the message didn’t show up as from my mother or best friend. With bated breath, I opened the message. Who could it be?!

Trembling, I read the text.

Condensed into a sentence, it consisted of a man called Ahmed Mostafa asking me to help him (illegally) transfer seven million euro into his bank account. I was rather bemused. At least the text was from a male, right?

That said, asking me to break the law with him was a large price to pay for our (inevitable, obvious) love. I was flattered that he had texted me - it was clear that, whoever he was, he saw potential in my law breaking ability. I pondered over what to reply- would he be disinterested in me if I didn’t partake in his quest for riches? Or should I just have gone wild and helped him? Changing myself for someone else, wouldn’t that be really cute?

And surely he’d give me a slice of the millions? With the money, I could achieve my dream of setting up a charity for vulnerable ladies needing lovers, those who weren’t lucky enough to get a spontaneous text message from a mysterious m a n .

That was it. I WAS IN! And anyway, if Ahmed and I did get arrested, I predicted many steamy nights together in a

It’s often been said that skeletons belong in the closet, but with over 200,000 Irish people suffering from anorexia, bulimia or another eating disorder, we can no longer afford to look the other way. Due to the difficulties in properly diagnosing many eating disorders, it is believed that the number could be even higher than this. It is a common misconception that eating disorders affect only women, but they are developing among men in Ireland at an alarming rate. 10-25% of people suffering from an eating disorder in Ireland are men.

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious illness that affects all aspects of a person’s life and has both physical and psychological effects on them. People with anorexia deliberately keep themselves at a weight that is far below what is considered to be healthy for their height and age by severely restricting their food intake. Anorexia generally starts with mild dieting, and family and friends may not realise that

jail cell, just like the movies.

Rushing online to webtexts to reply (until now I had nobody special enough in my life to buy credit for, but thankfully that was about to change), I took a quick detour to Facebook. Scrolling down the

someone is eating tiny amounts. In the early stages of anorexia, people can be cheerful, content and euphoric, with high energy levels despite a low calorie intake. With effective dieting, they develop a sense of control over their body and subsequently their lives. People suffering from anorexia will usually deny that anything is wrong, as the physical symptoms of their illness fail to alarm them.

One thing is certain about anorexia: severe calorie restriction has dismal physical effects. When your body doesn’t get what it needs to function properly, it slows down to conserve energy. Essentially, your body begins to consume itself due to starvation. If self-starvation continues and more body fat is lost, medical complications build up and your body and mind pay the price. Some of these problems include anaemia, osteoporosis and heart palpitations, the effects of which will eventu-

news feed, my heart suddenly cracked. A friend’s status read: “Just got a text from some Mostafa creep asking me to help him steal money” with copious comments underneath stating that they too had got a text.

I burst into tears. How dare this Mostafa guy play me against all these other girls?

There was no way I was texting back. Ugh. So I’m still single and poor.

FML.

ally lead to heart and kidney failure if left untreated. The effects are not only physical; anorexia has serious consequences for mental well-being also. Changes in brain chemistry brought on by this illness often cause depression and anxiety. georgiation. When this occurs, it can seriously affect the body's ability to function properly. All organs can be affected and the heart is particularly at risk.

If you suspect that a friend

or family member may be suffering from an eating disorder it is important to be supportive and encourage them to seek help. It is vital to show your willingness to be there for them and to listen without judgement.

It can seem very difficult to start a conversation about such a sensitive issue, but be aware that they will likely be frightened to acknowledge that there is a problem or they may not see a problem at all. The first step towards recovery is being able to

acknowledge that there’s a problem, so by approaching someone you are giving them the opportunity to take that first step.

If you think that you or a loved one might have an eating disorder check out bodywhys.ie for further information on the symptoms and on the support that is available. The earlier that help is sought the sooner recovery can begin.

Chorizo Pasta Bake

Method: Ingrediants: Chorizo Pasta Bake 200g penne pasta 100g chorizo 1 small onion 2 garlic cloves 500g passata 1tbsp tomato pureé Hot chilli powder 1tbsp dried basil Grated mozzarella

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Put t he pasta into a pot with boiling water and cook for about 12 minutes.

2. Finely dice onion and garlic and cook in a pan with a little oil for about 5 minutes.

add the tomato pureé along with some chilli powder to make it as spicy as you like, and then add the basil.

5. Drain the pasta, stir in the sauce.

6. Put in an oven proof dish and sprinkle generously with mozzarella.

3. Chop the chorizo into bite size chunks, add to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes.

7. Cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

Serve with garlic bread

4. Pour in the passata and

Serves: 2-3 Difficulty: easy

features@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

Ich liebe Berlin

TRAVEL

11

Dawn Lonergan writes about the wonders of Berlin

T

wenty years after its post-war rebirth, Berlin is a beautiful and effortlessly cool city. I could list so many things that a visitor to Berlin absolutely has to do, but it would be the size of this paper.

Picking out a handful, I would recommend visiting the Berlin Wall, the Nuremberg Gate, the Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, and Museum Island.

A boat trip down the river Spree can’t be missed either.

For me, I think three things are essential for any wannabe-Berliner: get a bike, go to see the Reichstag, and go on a night out to Tresor.

Everyone in Berlin travels around on their bike, looking relaxed and metropolitan.

You too can join in looking effortlessly cool by renting a bike from one of numerous shops or hostels, from €10 - €12 for 12 hours. The bike will be the tourist guide you never had or could not afford - it will take you everywhere and anywhere in Ber-

lin. Most places of interest to any tourist are very near each other and the bike is the cheapest and most enjoyable option to see them all. It is extremely worthwhile.

Next I would recommend visiting the Reichstag and the area directly around it. The Reichstag is the government building of Germany located just past the Brandenburg Gate. It is a spectacular building to look at. It has a glass dome at the top that is meant to have the best view of Berlin.

The Reichstag offers the opportunity to have a tour of the building, which includes showing you Angela Merkel’s actual desk. You can also go up to the glass dome to see Berlin in all its glory. There are beautiful gardens located around the Reichstag that allow you to sit and lounge around or have lunch.

The John F. Kennedy museum is also located near here, inspired by the ever famous phrase “Ich bin ein Berliner”.

The night life of Berlin is without a doubt out of this world. It is poles apart from Dublin. Firstly, drinking in public is legal in Berlin so having pre drinks on the way is not a problem.

It is also legal to smoke indoors and drink is so cheap that you might think you have heard the bartender wrong. Tresor is a must for anyone wanting to have a taste of the Berlin nightlife, there is nothing like it in Ireland. It is a techno club in an abandoned power station with corridors like industrial mazes that join the numerous dance floors and rooms.

I remember arriving there at midnight and thinking only a few hours had past when I decided to go outside for some air. It was five am at that time and the party was still going strong, as if it was still only just past midnight.

When I left at seven am, the craic was still mighty. Locals told me that the nightclub closes when everyone leaves, which is around nine

A Visit To The Gates Of Hell Robert Nielsen visits at one of the most evil places in the world

I

f I live a hundred years I will never forget the horrors of the Auschwitz death camp. I saw the cramped, sparse wooden sheds, originally designed to store horses, but that prisoners slept in.

I saw the cattle containers that were used to transfer millions of Jews to their death. I saw the barbed wire, the electric fences, and the watchtowers that meant few escaped.

I saw Block 11, where cruel and barbaric experiments were conducted by deranged Nazi doctors. I saw the hidden courtyard, where prisoners were se- cretly executed. I saw the

starvation cells, where prisoners were denied food and water until they were dead. I saw the enormous chimneys.

I saw the furnaces which left no remains of an entire race. I saw the gas chamber, the face of pure evil. I saw the gates of hell. I saw Auschwitz.

Situated outside Krakow in Poland, an estimated 1,300,000 people were murdered there, 90% of whom were Jews. Auschwitz was initially used as a concentration camp for Polish prisoner-of-war after Germany invaded Poland in 1939. In 1942 it was converted into a death camp where Jews were killed immedi- ately on

arrival.

Over the entrance to Auschwitz is an infamous sign, “Arbeit Macht Frei”, “Work Makes You Free”. It is hard to tell whether this is a cruel joke or an attempt to deceive the prisoners.

In reality many prisoners were worked literally to death. For most, once they passed under that sign, they were never free again.

There are a few memories which will stay with me for a long time. Like the sight of piles and piles of prisoners human hair stacked up. Prisoners were shaved as humiliation and so

or ten in the morning.

Overall, Berlin is a fantastic city that everyone must visit. However, it did have some bad points. One blemish on my visit to Berlin was Checkpoint Charlie, which seemed to have been ruined by commercialism.

For such an important

symbol of Germany's divided past, it had been ruined by attempts to turn it into a blatant money-making scheme.

For example, two people dressed up as American soldiers were located beside it and would take a picture beside you for €30.

In Berlin, where most

things were very cheap, this seemed like such a disgrace.

Adding to the disappointment, there is a McDonald’s right beside the checkpoint.

Apart from this, Berlin should most certainly be on every single person’s bucket list.

the hair could be sold to be made into carpets and blankets.

The sight of such blatant profiteering by the Nazi’s from their dead victims completely shocked me. Similarly moving was the piles of suitcases each one with the name and address of its owner. Here was everything a person owned, everything they had.

They had planned for a new life but instead were killed and their possessions stolen. But the most shocking of all were the shoes.

Thousands and thousands of shoes belonging to the dead piled into a small mountain. You stand in a room and on all sides there are shoes, the only thing left o f thou-

sands, millions of murdered people.

I felt surrounded, like I was about to be overwhelmed by a tsunami. It is impossible to put the mass genocide that is the Holocaust into perspective, but this went some of the way.

As soon as prisoners arrived at the camps in cattle containers, they were divided. The young, healthy and strong (roughly 20%) were sent to the work camp, where they would be worked to death.

The old, weak and young would be sent immediately to the gas chambers. They were told they need to shower to remove lice before being sent to a ‘rest’ camp. Fake shower heads were installed to keep up the deceit.

Few if any protested, instead being lead

meekly and peacefully to their extermination. They were killed using Zyklon B, which was originally used to kill lice. This gives an idea of how the Nazi’s viewed the Jews.

After they were murdered, the victim’s mouths were searched for gold fillings which were extracted with a hammer and chisel.

They were then loaded into incinerators and burnt.

The smoke form Auschwitz’s furnances could be seen for miles around. It was described as “Human Smoke”.

The ashes of dead fell on the living.

At the end of the tour, our guide brought us to a small, simple gallows. After the war ended, she said, that is where they hung the camp commander.

It’s Satire, STUPID!

It's a mystery tour because it doesn't exist

INSIDE Fine Gael launch new plan for economic recovery at Ard Fheis.

"Tragedy as Stephen Hawkins unplugged during Earth Hour" "Snow Partol booed off Beijing stage after 'Open Your Eyes' Rendition" "Panic as Erection causes Relay for Life Mix-up" "SU Debt Solved as €1 Million found in Geoghegan's Hat (the big fucking weird looking one)" "Belfield FM - Live on 107.247381392 FM in certain parts of South Dublin ... sometimes"

"'It takes t wo to tango' claims paedophile priest"

T

he Fine Gael party, lead by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, have launched a brave new plan for Irelands economic recovery. The plan, launched at this weeks Ard Fheis, consists of a large scale import of Protestants into Ireland.

It was pointed out by Mr Kenny in his address to the party, that within the European Union, countries that have been traditionally Catholic in ethos are the worst affected by the economic downturn.

The examples of Ireland, Italy and Portugal were given. Greece being an Orthodox country is also included on this list. He went on to point out that the traditionally protestant countries, such as Germany, are in a far better economic position.

Sociologists in UCD have put this fact down to the fa-

bled “Protestant work ethic” promulgated by the German sociologist Max Weber.

The Fine Gael led government now plans the largescale import of Protestants onto the island. These new settlers will be given land and houses confiscated from the native Irish population

by NAMA and the banks.

The government intends to increase the number of house repossessions in the months leading up to the implementation of the plan, which has come to be known as the 2012 Plantation of Ireland Act. As well as houses and land, the new Protestant settlers will also be given control of various businesses that have been taken over by governmental and EU bodies in recent years.

It is the firm belief of the government, that these new settlers will lead Ireland out

of economic gloom and back to the glory days of the Ascendency and Celtic Tiger.

A government spokesperson stated that ‘these settlers will get Ireland working again. These people are not tainted by the lazy, superstitious attitude that has prevailed among the idle and ineffective native Catholic population. They will bring a strong God-fearing Protestant work ethic with them, an attitude that Ireland has never needed to much in all her history’.

It is initially proposed that the native Irish who have their lands, businesses and houses confiscated will be repopulated in Connaught, though one member of the government has said ‘they can go to hell!’, either option seems as dismal.

Blasphemy, blasphoryou Lamb of God....

"'I hate the new Facebook layout' complains Stevie Wonder" "Booking error sees Rachel Breslin as judge on the Voice of Ireland" "Same booking error sees Bressie handing out free condoms on campus"

.... you take away my hunger

COLLEGE TRIBUNE - CELEBRATING 25 VOLUMES : The page below featured in Issue 8 , Volume 22

editor@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

EDITORIAL

15

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Editor: Ryan Cullen editor@collegetribune.ie

The College Tribune is now accepting applications for the position of Editor for Volume XVI.

News Editor: Conor Fox news@collegetribune.ie

Editing the College Tribune requires a serious time commitment. The experience is invaluable to those wishing to seek a career in journalism after college.

Deputy News Editor: Lisa Gorry

Those interested should apply with a proposal; interviews for the position will be held in early May.

News In Focus Editor: Timothy Potenz

Proposals should be emailed to editor@collegetribune.ie or handed in to the College Tribune Office by April 25th College Tribune, LG20 Newman Building, UCD, Dublin 4.

Features Editor: Sinéad Williams features@collegetribune.ie Deputy Features Editor Rebecca Lambe Turbine Editor: James Grannell

TRIBLEX

NO. 11

Contributors List Róisín Carlos, Shane Scott, Frances Ivens, Peter Hamilton, Sophie Kelly, Aoife Harrison, Hayley Maher, Fiona Daly, Dawn Lonergan, Alissa Karpick, Aideen Conway, Laura Donoghue, Ciarán Carey, Amy Eustace, Seán Grennan, Graham Luby, Daniel Nolan, Daniel Cooney, Keith Lematti, Donal Lucey, Darragh O’Connor, Julie Kirwan, Roisin Sweeney, Emma Nolan, Rebecca Lambe, Jonny Baxter, Aifris Ni Ruairc, Marty Gilroy, Rebekah Rennick, Thomas Cullen, Rachel Carey, Geneva Pattison, Marc Fearon,

Irish Editor: Eoghan Ó Murchadha Sports Editors: Conall Devlin and Patrick Fleming sport@collegetribune.ie Chief Writer: Donie O’Sullivan donie@collegetribune.ie

The Siren Music Editor: Aonghus McGarry music@collegetribune.ie Deputy Music Editor: Dan Nolan Fashion Editor: Cathal O’Gara fashion@collegetribune.ie Arts Editor: Ciara Murphy arts@collegetribune.ie

Regulars

Crossword Editor: Daisy Onubogu Cartoonists: Dan Daly Designer: Cheryl Flood

Across 1. Drying Cloth 6. Coloured part of an eye 10. Chop finely 14. A long legged South American bird 15. Expunge 16. Small Island 17. Spoilable 19. Gull-like bird 20. Homestead 21. Automatic nervous system 22. Care for 23. Overact 25. Of doubtful quality 26. Sneaker or pump 30. Suppurate 32. A protective ear covering 35. Alike 39. Mysterious 40. Place 41. Wandering aimlessly

43. Renters 44. A late season 46. In order to prevent 47. Gladden 50. Tropical nut 53. #53 in Roman numerals 54. Damp 55. Kleenex 60. Annul 61. Nutritious 63. Adolescent 64. Run away 65. American symbol 66. Terminates 67. Mountain pool 68. Put on clothes

Down 1. Faucets 2. Curved molding 3. Verruca 4. Send forth 5. Fine thread 6. Actress Lupino 7. Refund 8. Sickness 9. Views 10. Belonging to the past 11. Requested 12. Catapulted 13. Intoxicating 18. Skirt’s edge 24. Not on 25. An evil supernatural being 26. Where two pieces meet 27. Rabbit 28. Killer whale 29. Emissions

31. Scrabble piece 33. Unwarranted 34. 3 in a yard 36. Alley 37. Anagram of “Salt” 38. A musical pause 42. German Measles 43. Explosive 45. Strong suit 47. Wash out with a solvent 48. Flax fabric 49. Assisted 51. French for summer 52. Delineated 54. Drift 56. Sun 57. Wise one 58. Website addresses 59. Visual organs 62. Adult names

A big thanks to Unfortunatley due to personal reasons Conor McKenna can not continue on as co-editor for issue 11 and 12 of this volume of The College Tribune. We are deeply saddened by the news and wish him the very best of luck in wherever he stays his hand. The office will be total and utter shit without you. xoxoxoxo

16 GAEILGE

gaelige@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

Na Gaeil Óga CLG: Fáilte Fhoireann na mBan Eoghan Ó Murchadha

Irish Editor

Tá Na Gaeil Óga, an t-aon chumann sa Chumann Lúthchleas Gael a fheidhmíonn trí Ghaeilge amháin i mBaile Átha Cliath ag iarraidh mná a bhfuil spéis acu sa pheil nó sa chamógaíocht a mhealladh. Tá foireann peile na mban ar an bhfód cheana, agus a gcéad chluiche díreach buaite acu ach teastaíonn ó Na Gaeil Óga imreoirí úra a mhealladh le cur leis an bpaineál. Chuige sin a seoladh an feachtas póstaer acu ina bhfuil fir leathnochta ar phóstaeir á scaipeadh.

Bunaíodh an cumann sa bhliain 2011 agus ó shin i leith tá sé ar na cumainn is mó fáis sa chontae agus sa tír féin go deimhin agus os cionn 100 ball cláraithe acu faoi seo.

Tá dhá fhoireann na bhfear acu sa pheil, agus tá gach cluiche buaite ag foireann A

i mbliana go dtí seo chomh maith le tús iontach ag foireann B. Anuas air sin tá foireann iomána ar na bacáin agus coiste bunaithe faoina comhair. Is ag Ciarán Mac Fheargusa, Bleá Cliathach, a bhí an smaoineamh an chéad lá agus le cabhair Dhaithí De Buitléir agus dream as Coláiste na hOllscoile, BÁC (UCD) tháinig an cumann ar an bhfód. Fuair an scata seo cúnamh ó Chiarán Ó Feinneadha mar bhainisteoir agus ó Mharcas Ó Léanacháin mar oiliúnóir, agus cé go raibh an-deacracht ag an gcumann suíomh oiriúnach a aimsiú i dtús ama tugadh faoi thraenáil le flosc.

Maidir le feachtas na bpóstaer, fuair Na Gaeil Óga spreagadh ón gCumann Clanna Gael Fontenoi. Deir Edel Ní Bhraonáin, cláraitheoir Na Gaeil Óga, imreoir do fhoireann na mban agus mac léinn de chuid na hollscoile seo ‘Tá ball den chumann

Cathal Mac Dhaibhéid tar éis roinnt póstaer a dhearadh dúinn, a léiríonn roinnt den fáth gur chóir do chailíní teacht chugainn anseo, ar an gcéad dul síos tá fir bhreátha ann, agus anuas air sin tá an t-atmaisféar iontach, deis Gaeilge a labhairt agus éirí aclaí! Tá foireann peile na mban againn agus sinn ag dreim le foireann camógaíochta amach anseo’ Arsa Aindriú Ó Faoláin, cisteoir Na Gaeil Óga ‘Tá roinnt spraoi ag baint leis na póstaeir, tá súil againn go gcuirfidh siad daoine ag caint fúinn agus go scaipfear an focal! Tá ceann ann de bhainisteoir an chumainn féin Ciarán Ó Feinneadha orthu, is léir gur chaith sé an-chuid ama sa ghiomnáisiam i rith an gheimhridh agus táimid cinnte de go meallfaidh sé na sluaite! Má tá aithne agat ar éinne a mbeadh spéis acu ionainn iarraim ort dul i dteagmháil leo fúinn, agus

dála an scéil ní mise atá iontu!’

Tá fáilte roimh fhir mar imreoirí chomh maith agus an-ghá le cúntóirí is traenálaithe na mban is go ginearálta chomh maith. Má th-

eastaíonn tuilleadh eolais ó dhaoine is féidir glao a chur ar an uimhir thíos nó ríomhphost a chur gocumannclg@ gmail.com nó teacht ar an ngrúpa ag

ww.nagaeiloga.ie agusvtwitter ag @NaGaeilOga. Is imreoir leis Na Gaeil Óga é Eoghan Ó Murchadha.

sport@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

.

SPORT

17

18 18 SPORT

sport@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

Start Your Engines Amy Eustace examines the early performances and off the track storylines in the young Formula One season.

W

e’re only two races into to the 2012 Formula 1 season and already tensions are riding high. While the opening day in Melbourne didn’t throw up too many surprises, heavy rain in Sepang on the second week made for an intense race. With the early favourite – Sebastian Vettel – already falling behind the leaders, conditions look promising for an exciting year.

Dual champion Vettel hasn’t had the best of starts, with McLaren streaming ahead of Red Bull in terms of pace and performance.

Nonetheless, Mark Webber has been able to keep in touch with Alonso, Hamilton and Button in the top spots, and if it weren’t for Vettel’s collision with HRT’s Narain Karthikeyan in Sepang he may have beaten Hamilton to the final podium place.

The German has shown

some frustration with his difficult first two races, reportedly calling Karthikeyan a ‘cucumber’ over the incident in Malaysia. The Indian responded by calling Vettel a ‘cry-baby’, but has since moved to cool their spat.

Vettel is not coping very well with his lowly position on the table after two races, but there are plenty more weekends in which to close to gap.

Questions may hang over Ferrari’s capacity to keep the pace with their competitors, but there can be no doubts about Fernando Alonso’s ability to drag his slightly disadvantaged car ahead of the pack. Despite the tricky Sepang rain, he dominated the race and demonstrated something of his old, ruthless Renault incarnation.

He has all the skill and power to get past McLaren and Red Bull, but perhaps not the tool. His teammate,

Felipe Massa, on the other hand, hasn’t been able to compensate for the car’s failings and has yet to put a single point on the board.

With Alonso roaring to the top of the table, how long can Massa rely on the car as an excuse for his lack of success with Ferrari?

Sauber’s Sergio Perez has emerged as an unexpected star, achieving second place in the Malaysian Grand Prix – just behind Fernando Alonso. Perez is fast, fearless, smart and his car is well balanced too. If anyone can spring a surprise this year, it’s likely to be the Mexican and his rising Sauber team.

Alonso may be leading the driver’s championship, but McLaren are topping the constructor’s championship. With what looks to be by far the best car on the circuit under their belt, and two experienced drivers to boot, there’s no doubt that

they’ll push their rivals to the very limit. With Button and Hamilton nipping at Alonso’s heels, they’re set to capitalise on any slips by the Spaniard and his less competitive vehicle.

Aside from the battle on the track, this year sees the first real ratings battle in the television studios. The BBC, long time British monopolists of live Formula 1 coverage, are now sharing the task with Sky’s new dedicated Formula 1 channel.

The BBC are set to broadcast half of the season’s races live and the other half via an

edited one hour highlights package, while Sky will have live coverage of almost every aspect of each Grand Prix.

A controversial concession on BBC’s part, perhaps, but so far that – and the defection of pundit Martin Brundle to the other side – hasn’t affected them greatly in the ratings. Their highlights for the Australian Grand Prix reeled in even more viewers than their live broadcast of the same race last season, although that could be down to the early morning start time.

The race in China in two

weeks time will no doubt provide plenty of talking points, but it’s the fourth race in Bahrain that has inspired the most discussion. The corresponding Grand Prix was cancelled last season as a result of political unrest, but organisers have been keen to stress that the country is peaceful and that the race will be held this year.

Whatever the next few months have in store, you can be sure that there’ll be plenty of action packed races on the calendar, both on and off the track.

sport@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 3rd April 2012

SPORT

19

Young Marian side fail to build on last year’s Cinderella story Conall Devlin reviews UCD Marian’s 2011/2012 Superleague and National Cup campaigns with Daniel James UCD Marian came into the 2011/2012 campaign on an unprecedented high after snatching a historic National Cup victory over Killester last year. Going into the season, and as is normal for Superleague Basketball teams with American recruits, changes to personnel were made.

Outgoing American James Crowder was replaced by Donnie Stith, an imposing 6’6 centre who played Division 1 NCAA Basketball at Tulane University, New Orleans. Marian were forced into further adjustments to a new look front court however. Seasoned veterans Neil Baynes and Barry Glover were no longer present-

Baynes went travelling while Glover opted to play Division 1 Basketball- so UCD welcomed back Kevin Meany and Kevin Foley who had been working in Belfast.

A young talented roster was further bolstered by the addition of scholarship recipient Breandain O’Riain.

Unfortunately silverware success eluded Marian in what proved to be a transition year. Strong preseason form foreshadowed what was a “let down” in the eyes of influential guard Daniel James in both League and Cup. A 6-14 league record illustrates the inconsistencies they struggled through as the team had to cope without James for three months after a knee injury. They relinquished their National Cup defence to eventual winners UL Eagles in the quarter final. Things didn’t quite go to plan with Donnie Stith who was sent back to the

States in February and was replaced for the final three games of the season by Owen McNally, a 6’7 forward who had played NCAA Basketball for Spring Hill College, Alabama. They pulled off a massive upset defeating Cork outfit Neptune in the League quarter final before going down to heavy 82-55 semi final defeat to DCU Saints.

It wasn’t an ideal sequence of events for Fran Ryan’s squad as James acknowledges: “our inconsistency was disappointing. We rarely played well for all 40 minutes in any game. The inability to put a string of wins and good performances together as a team meant there were games when we were blown out and really we didn't give ourselves a chance against DCU”.

It was sometimes a state of flux that the inexperienced Belfield team found themselves in, however it

wasn’t a season completely without its positives: “It's my 4th year with the team and that was the 1st time we'd won in Neptune’s gym against them in Cork which is always hard.” The 21 year old praised the leadership of team captain Niall Meany and the scoring efforts by

Kevin Foley.

Looking ahead to this week’s Intervarsity’s in UL, James sees no reason why UCD can’t retain their title: “I think we'd have to go into it as favourites as we have the core of last year’s team still playing. I'd be disappointed if we didn't give ourselves

a shot at the final again.”

And with the age profile of the roster still in the early twenties, there is no reason why Marian can’t translate collegiate success to club success next year. Onwards and upwards.

Final Day Drama Means UCD Crowned Women’s Leinster Hockey Champions Patrick Fleming Sports co-editor

The UCD ladies hockey team clinched the Leinster division one league title in dramatic fashion as they leapfrogged rivals Railway Union on the last day of matches. A tense 1-0 win for UCD against Old Alexandra combined with a 2-2 draw for Railway Union against Hermes left the two sides level on 46 points at the top of the standings. UCD superior win record however meant that they were crowned champions.

UCD played first on Saturday as they made the short trip to Milltown for their match against Old Alexandra. Despite knowing that they needed to win to put the pressure on Railway Union, Old Alex frustrated UCD, holding them out until the 41st minute when UCD finally took the all-important lead. It was one of UCD’s consistent performers Nicola Grey who got it as she converted a penalty corner with a sweep shot which snuck passed everybody to breach the Old Alex goalmouth.

Despite having chances to make it two, they were relieved to find it was unnecessary as they closed out the game with that lead intact against and more importantly, a lead in the league standings.

With that game in the books,

the future destination of the league title would be decided by the result in Sandymount as Railway hosted 5th placed Hermes. Following a shaky start the home side soon took the initiative, taking the lead through a Zara Delaney goal. It lasted only a short while before Hermes brought the scores back to all-square as Aoife Harte drove into the circle before laying off to Sarah Patton who scored.

Railway were back in the driving seat however before half time as Julia O’Halloran scored off of a Kate Lloyd pass.

Railway were unable to press home their advantage in the second half and again allowed Hermes to equalise late on. This

time it was Caitriona McGilp who was on hand as she picked up on a rebound to fire home.

This time, Railway could not find another go ahead goal and as time expired the title which they had one hand on at the beginning of the day hand slipped from their grasp. With both sides finishing on 46 points, UCD’s fifteen wins, as opposed to Railway’s 14, was enough to crown them the victors even though Railway had completed their entire campaign without losing a single league game.

The league title will go alongside the Jacqui Potter Cup which UCD won two weeks ago as the ladies completed a monumental double for the season.

Stanley Cup Countdown Marc Fearon takes a look at this years Stanley Cup The 82 game regular season in the National Hockey League (NHL) will be concluded on Saturday the 7th of April and the playoffs will begin for the ultimate prize of the Stanley Cup. 16 teams will progress to the postseason with 14 being left behind and the battle to secure a playoff place is still ongoing for quite a few teams. Many will have noticed Setanta Sports screening several Ice hockey games all year but in earnest, the playoffs are where things really get interesting.

Last year the Vancouver Canucks were by far and away the best team in the regular season; winning the North West Division, the Western Conference and the President’s Trophy, the

latter being awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. The Canucks made it to the ‘do or die’ game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins but ran out of steam and were beaten convincingly, sparking ugly riots in the streets of Vancouver.

This year, there are a few teams that have impressed, with very little to choose between the surprise packages St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, who lead the Western and Eastern Conferences respectively and the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers who are hot on their Conference leaders heels.

With each playoff matchup

having a best of seven series; there is sure to be a lot of intensity and energy sapping games in the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Regular season form doesn’t necessarily dictate how the playoffs unfold and there is sure to be a few surprises along the way. However, the return of talismanic captain Sidney Crosby to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with probable MVP Evgeni Malkin in tandem makes the Penguins the favourites at this stage. Vancouver would still be favoured to make the Stanley Cup Final again but the drought for a Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup will most likely run into a 20th year.

20

TRIBUNE SPORT

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

sport@collegetribune.ie

3rd April 2012

Start your Engines Page 18

UCD Marian Season Review Page 19

Golden week UCD Bowl UCD-3 Monaghan United-2 Patrick Fleming Sports Co-Editor

A

Photo: Ed Scannell

U21 Starlets on course for McClean sweep

Conall Devlin Sports Co-Editor

UCD advanced to the final of the U21 Fraser McMullan All Ireland Cup for the second year in a row after overcoming rivals Lansdowne 25-10 at Belfield.

After a comprehensive 69-0 drubbing of Dolphin in the quarter final, the College knew to expect a tougher assignment against a Lansdowne outfit eager to make amends for losing out to their Dublin neighbours at the final hurdle in last year’s competition, however a clinical UCD showed why they are also reigning JP Flanagan League, Intervarsity and Colours champions in a game in which they never trailed.

They went into the game under the guidance of Ex UCD Director of Rugby John McClean who stepped in to cov-

er the absence of head coach Vinnie Hammond who was on Ireland Schools coaching duty.

Early dominance and quick ball distribution was rewarded with a try after ten minutes from Irish U20 Jordan Coughlan who went in straight under the posts after being fed by out half Liam Bourke. Bourke converted before dispatching a routine penalty minutes later to make it 10-0. The game was then delayed for 30 minutes after what appeared to be a serious ankle injury to the Lansdowne full back.

Lansdowne managed to find a foothold in the game after play resumed by disrupting UCD’s fluid passing without making it pay on the scoreboard as out half Peter Lydon squandered penalty opportunities. The half ended 10-0.

The away side’s purple patch

continued at the beginning of the second half with Lydon converting a penalty.

Lansdowne were threatening to chip away further at the Belfield lead before the pivotal moment in the game after the hour mark. Irish star Luke McGrath seized on the space presented to him after the Lansdowne defence drifted off after the breakdown of a scrum and having forced men to commit supplied right winger Paddy Dix to finish. Though Bourke was unable to slot over the conversion it was a timely five points to settle the College nerves. Ten minutes later, with Lansdowne desperately seeking an opening in the UCD 22, Barry Daly, on his first start after returning from a broken thumb picked up in the opening U20 Six Nations match against Wales, intercepted a pass

to the left wing and ran the length of the pitch to execute a brilliant try. Bourke converted from an acute angle to make it 25-3.

Lansdowne did manage to get a late consolation try and conversion with minutes to play but the game was up and UCD march on to face Old Belvedere in Lakelands Park, Terenure next Monday 9th April as they look to secure a quintuple of trophies this season with the McCorry Cup also at an advanced stage.

The U21 Seconds team made it back to back victories for the College as they came from behind to beat Carlow IT 19-16 in the semi final of the Purcell Cup. They will take on Lansdowne on the 15th April.

clinical second half performance including, Cillian Morrison’s fifth goal in four days, saw the Students passed a tenacious Monaghan United side 3-2 in the Bowl on Friday night. The win followed a comprehensive 6-1 drubbing of Waterford United in the League Cup on Monday and made for a perfect recovery following a difficult few weeks for the Students.

The opening moments of the game were lively but a lack of clear cut chances meant that neither goal came under serious threat in the opening 20 minutes.

Monaghan began dominating possession however and nearly took the lead from a powerful Alan Byrne header but Mark McGinley’s strong palm not only stopped it, but also knocked the ball clear of the crowded box.

McGinley was called on again moments later as Owen Humphrey was played through, but the netminder was alert, picking the ball off the feet of the striker as he tried to knock it around him.

UCD came back into the affair late in the half as they bombarded the Monaghan box with dangerous crosses.

Then Graham Rusk picked up a loose pass out of defence from Alan Byrne and after looking for support decided to take on the shot. The daisy-cutter had Chris Bennion beaten but struck the inside of the post and away to safety.

Roddy Collins’ side

pressed again early in the second half but the Students were the ones who broke the deadlock as the post proved more accommodating for Danny Ledwith as his shot on 51 minutes found the back of the net following a brush with the woodwork.

Monaghan equalised however as McGinley came out to punch away a cross, only for it to land at the feet of Jason Marks who lobbed it back into the box for Conor Murphy to head home.

The Students rallied back and retook the lead on 80 minutes as Cillian Morrison was on hand to finish off a good move. Dean Clarke’s excellent dribbling released Mark Langtry on the left and his low driven cross came back to Morrison whose deflected shot found the top corner.

UCD doubled their advantage a few minutes later when Paul O’Connor picked up a cross unmarked at the back post before poking the ball passed Bennion.

This proved vital as Monaghan grabbed an injury time goal when a superb 30 yard strike from Jordan Keegan flew like a guided missile into McGinley’s bottom corner, but it was too late to spark a full comeback and UCD managed to escape with all three points.

UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas, Ciaran Nangle (Mark Langtry 77), James Kavanagh, David O’Connor; Danny Ledwith, Paul O’Conor, Chris Mulhall (Michael Leahy 77), Robbie Benson; Graham Rusk (Dean Clarke 67), Cillian Morrison.

Subs not used: Niall Corbett, Chris Lyons, Barry McCabe, Stephen Doyle.