www.thecollegeview.com
Vol. XVIII, Issue 10
Features:
Luas workers have lost their support following latest strike
Opinion:
Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Sport:
Climate change can no longer be ignored
Bill O’Herlihy Cup returns
THE COLLEGE VIEW Read more on page 14
Read more on page 9
See back bage
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY’S ONLY INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1999
DCUSU Elections 2016: Here’s what you need to know
The presidential candidates battle it out at the hustings Credit: Chai Brady
No declared student opposition to the cannabis referendum Katie O’Neill Deputy Editor @_Katie__ONeill
NO student or group has registered as opposing the passing of the referendum which will mandate the DCU Students’ Union to support and campaign for the legalisation of cannabis. Students will be asked to vote yes or no on the following: The DCU Students’ Union shall actively support and campaign for the legalisation and regulation of the cultivation, sale and possession of cannabis for adults aged 18 and over in the Republic of Ireland. The referendum has run concur-
rently with the 2016 SU elections, the results of all votes will be announced on Wednesday evening. The referendum was the result of a petition from the DCU Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) who are the only registered group campaigning for a yes vote. “Before you can hold a referendum you must have a petition where you collect enough signatures and they meet all of the requirements to hold a referendum in DCU. So what the referendum will be asking, the question you see on the ballot, will be if you believe the DCU SU should actively support the legalisation and regulation of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use,” said Dan Kirby
Chairperson of the national SSDP. Kirby is confident that the referendum will pass and that DCU will follow in the footsteps of NUIG who were the first university to pass a similar referendum last year. “We haven’t felt any opposition yet. Everyone we’ve spoken to on campus has been very supportive. I’m sure there will be people who will be opposed but I think the vast majority of people realise it’s a no brainer,” said Kirby. “Even if you think cannabis is harmful and you think people shouldn’t consume it then it makes more sense to legalise it and regulate it because you take money out of the hands of criminals. It also controls how strong the weed is, where it can be bought, who
can buy it. Even if you’re against cannabis, it doesn’t mean you should be against the legalisation and regulation of cannabis.” Kirby thinks referendums on both cannabis legalisation and the decriminalisation of certain drugs will occur nationally in the coming years and urges DCU student to lend their voice to the cause. “A lot of people will ask us: why are we holding a referendum or what’s the point when they see legally it’s not going to change anything but the whole point is that it will mean that the voice of the students in DCU will be calling for the legalisation of cannabis.”
INSIDE THE SUSS
THE SUSS COVERS MIND OF MINE ALBUM REVIEW PICK YOUR POUT COLLEGE DATING DEAL BREAKERS INTERVIEW WITH THE RUSANGANO FAMILY
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
2 Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Catherine Devine Deputy Editor: Katie O’Neill Production & Layout Editor: Scout Mitchell Deputy Production & Layout Editor: Niall Connolly News Editor: Katie O’Neill Deputy News Editors: John Casey, Paul Dwyer, Hayley Halpin, Hannah Kelly & Aura McMenamin Opinion Editor: Lisa O’ Donnell Lifestyle Editor: Aoibheann Diver Features Editor: Megan Roantree Deputy Features Editor: Rebecca Lumley Irish Editor: Aíne Marie Monk Deputy Irish Editor: Aoide Ní Mhistéil Sports Editor: Aidan Geraghty Deputy Sports Editors: Aaron Gallagher & Cormac O’Shea Arts Editor: Fionnuala Jones Deputy Arts Editor:
Editorial
Stephen Keegan Chief Arts Contributor: Ryan McBride Images Editor: Chaitanya Brady Deputy Images Editor: David Clarke Online Editor: Kevin Kelly Deputy Online Editors: Hannah Moran & Stephen Murphy Chief Sub-Editor: Jamie Concannon Contacts editor@thecollegeview.com news@thecollegeview.com features@thecollegeview. com opinion@thecollegeview. com gaeilge@thecollegeview.com sports@theccollegeview. com arts@thecollegeview.com lifestyle@thecollegeview. com Printed By Datascope, with the DCU Journalism Society Thanks To Sportsfile, SLC, Office of Student Life
Catherine Devine Editor-in-Chief @CatherineDevin1 NOPE. I refuse to believe that it’s my last issue as Editor-in-Chief of The College View. It can’t possibly have been a year since we we’re handed over the paper and looked helplessly at the third years, unsure and unaware of our potential. It’s been an incredible year for the paper. Online and every two weeks we brought you informed, entertaining and critical analysis of student based news. From our snakes on a train story, to our in-depth election coverage, we have been at the heart of the campus, representing you and sharing with you the stories that mattered. It had its challenges, we had our disagreements, but we now stand as an Editorial team with six Smedia nominations. It was my pleasure to lead a team, dominated by female editors, in a time where women journalists are really coming to the fore with content based on Repealing the 8th Amendment, equal pay and equality. Most of us on the Editorial team have been at the heart of The College View for the past three years and
can’t remember what we did before we joined the team. The first piece I wrote for The College View was in the first few weeks of first year, when I wrote a really ground-breaking piece… on being a first year. But we are moving on, to dare I say it, better things. Many of us have internships for the summer in the national media, once again being thrown in the deep end, unsure of our potential, and where we are going. It will be like starting first year again, but more exciting and terrifying nonetheless. I have to say a huge thanks to my two right hand women, Katie and Scout. While we encountered many moments where we thought the paper was doomed, we always managed to pull together and overcome any problem that faced us. Without the two of them, I don’t know how the paper would have survived the year. They both worked tirelessly and had a passion for the paper, something that made each struggle we faced disappear. The laughter, the cross faces, the Domino’s, the panic of missing articles, sure it was all a bit of craic in the end. I knew Katie and I would make a great team at the Hybrids last year when she puked on my shoes at the after party. Katie, the paper wouldn’t
THANK YOU & GOODBYE
be half of what it is without your leadership and passion for news. The College View also had advisors that kept us free from law suits and directed us on the right path when we just couldn’t find the right words. I’d like to express my gratitude to Steven Knowlton for his expert advice on student journalism and for always being available to help us out. To those who are on the Editorial team next year, I wish you all the best and envy you tremendously. Many of us would say that it’s been one of the most amazing years of our lives, no matter how stressful it was at times. I hand over my position as Editor-in-Chief to Aaron Gallagher, and I’ve no doubt that the paper will thrive under his watchful eye. Aaron has many wonderful ideas for next year and is clued into the world of student news, while being able to contextualise it on a national level. I hope Aaron and the next team have a year filled with as many laughs, shocking moments and genuine passion for journalism that we had this year. It has been an honour editing the paper for the past year and to everyone who supported us this year- staff, readers, societies- I offer my genuine thanks.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
DCU courses to move to All Hallows
All Hallows College - Credit apna.ie
tar and Scoil na Gaeilge, this will involve the relocation of almost forty academic and research staff and will allow for the growth and development of a completely new and unique School that will deliver a broad range of disciplines through Irish,” Head of Fiontar, Ciarán Mac Murchaidh said. Staff and students who wish to take up a place on any course taught through the medium of
Irish will discover that most, if not all of their lectures will not take place on the Glasnevin campus in the coming academic year: “Clearly, such an ambitious move will pose logistical challenges for all involved and will require the cooperation of many sections of the University administration so that issues such as having in place all the requirements for staff and students, as well as the location of teach-
ing spaces and the organisation of the timetable will be handled as smoothly and efficiently as possible.” Students who study Irish as part of the joint-honours programme may see themselves travelling to and from both campuses for lectures which may also be the case with students taking either Fiontar course. Arrangements in relation to accessibility and timetables have yet to be made.
Students can expect decrease in GP fee lthecollegeview
THE cost of a doctor visit on
campus could see a reduction to €15 according to the Vice President for Welfare and Equality Domhnaill Harkin. The current price of visiting the GP in DCU is €20 and decreasing the cost per consultation is one of the main objectives Domhnaill hoped to achieve this year. “We are currently having talks with the university to see if it is possible to reduce the cost of the GP and maintain the level of service currently being provided”, Harkin said. The DCU GP consultation fee has been €20 since 2013. Previously in 2012, a single visit to the doctor was just €10. “We are confident that a re-
urged to get smart and
learn to restart Megan Roantree Features Editor @MeganRoantree
THE move comes as part of the
Aisling McCabe News Reporter
Students
3
a heart
Aine Monk & Cáit Ní Cheallacháin News Reporters @thecollegeview
incorporation between DCU, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education and Church of Ireland College of Education. “The New DCU” will be seen rolled out from September 2016 with a wide range of changes taking place across campuses and across disciplines. It has been decided that some faculties will be relocated in the incorporation process. The Incorporation Board have come to a decision that due to the expansion of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Fiontar and Scoil na Gaeilge will be relocated to the All Hallows campus which is currently not in use. According to the Board: “Following incorporation the vision for the New DCU includes a new Institute of Education and an enhanced Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences that will benefit from the combined strengths of the four institutions.” This enhanced Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will also see the School of English and the International Office relocate to the All Hallows Campus this September. These changes will affect students on all DCU campuses. “From the perspective of Fion-
News
duction to €15 per visit will take place”, Harkin added. Harkins Manifesto
j Harkin’s manifesto during his campaign for the VP of Welfare and Equality position last year set out three main proposals; emphasis on mental health, sexual health and the reduction of the GP fee. The objective of his proposals for doctor’s fees was to work to restore the original price of €10 per consultation, as he believes €20 is unacceptable when compared with other universities and colleges across Ireland. Maynooth University, Trinity College and Galway University all offer their students free doctor’s consultations, while the price per visit to the GP in UCD is €25.
Credit healthcentre.com
A Campaign has been set up in DCU to raise awareness and encourage people to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 62 per cent of DCU students surveyed said that they are unable to perform CPR. Final year health and society student Aoife Murphy had to complete a health action project as part of her final year project and says that she chose one that she felt was important. “My project was focused on the factors which affect the survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and I discovered that a bystanders response to someone in cardiac arrest can have a huge impact on the survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest so I decided to do something about this,” she said. The campaign ‘Restart a Heart, Learn CPR’, was launched on Facebook late last month, the page has been used to educate people with the help of statistics and videos. Murphy said that her campaign aims to highlight the effectiveness of acting quickly if someone is in cardiac arrest. “It’s about the importance of a bystander’s response to someone in cardiac arrest and also the importance of performing CPR and as well as initiating it quickly, this can hugely increase someone’s changes of survival.” The project is specifically aimed at students which is why Aoife said she is using social media, “I thought making a Facebook page would be a good way to get the message across and I have also made a video.” The video features statistics surrounding CPR and the story of 25 year old student Cathal Joyce who discusses how the quick thinking of others saved his life. He now urges others to learn CPR. According to the Irish Heart Foundation 70 per cent of cardiac arrests happen in the home and performing CPR can double the chances of survival.
Credit turner.com
4
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
News
DCUSU Elections 2016: Candidate interviews and husting analysis The anti-fees movement and the amalgamation, hot topics for President Chai Brady & Paul Dwyer News Reporters @thecollegeview
FIVE candidates are running for the position of DCU Students’ Union President 16/17 in the upcoming election. Dylan Kehoe, Seán Cassidy, Ivan Hynes, Cormac Kilty and Ayub Beshir are the five students contesting the role of President. Final year Communications student Dylan Kehoe has said that he is able to make things happen as he organised the Beg, Borrow, Steal event. He promises to work with the Students Against Fees group next year to try and reduce current fees for college. Speaking on the topic he said, “I’m there to support…that if that’s what the student’s want they we have to fight for it.” Final year chemistry student Ivan Hynes is already used to DCU’s political landscape as he was Science Health and faculty Rep last year. Hynes wants to ensure that the amalgamation of St. Pat’s and DCU goes as smoothly as possibly by ensuring that all members of the SU team will spend equal amounts of time in both campuses. “My goal is that all sabbat-
icals with float between both campuses so that they know who they are and what they do.” Final year multimedia student Cormac Kilty has said he would have no problem dedicating himself to the presidential role if he’s elected. Kilty said that Mental Health is currently a huge issue among young people and he hopes to tackle this by putting more money aside of the SU’s budget to hire more much needed counsellors and that will hopefully make college a better experience for anyone who suffers with their mental health. “I want people to come in to college even on days when they don’t have college just because it’s a nice environment.” Sean Cassidy is a second year Economics, Politics and Law student who’s been strongly involved in student politics, he wants the SU to be a positive force for change for students. Cassidy, a member of the LGBT community, played a massive role in campaigning for marriage equality. He’s affiliated with Student’s Against Fees and is in favour of the USI as a vehicle for change. As an Access student he says he understands students who are struggling financially. With the idea of introducing microwaves on campus he said ‘when a student turns to me and says
From L to R: Sean Cassidy, Dylan Kehoe, Cormac Kilty, Ivan Hynes and Ayub Beshir Credit Chai Brady
they only have five euro in their pocket but have food at home, I think that’s how we address it’. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science final year student Ayub Beshir says he stands for integration and diversity in DCU. He has worked with a lot of students in the Access
programme and mentors students coming into first year. He says in order to help with the amalgamation and build a better community he wants to provide bikes for students to travel between the Mater dei, Pats, and DCU campuses. As someone who’s intern-
ship was cancelled a week before, Beshir wants to promote and improve the INTRA programme for all courses. “I want to help students to get work experience in their sector for at least one month no matter what discipline they’re in.”
Peer support system and consent workshops priority for Welfare candidates Hayley Halpin Deputy News Editor @HayleyHalpin1
THREE candidates; Alison Ring, Cody Byrne and Shane Parsons, compete for the role of DCU Students’ Union Welfare Officer 16/17 in the SU election. The College View spoke to the three candidates about their SU welfare goals. Alison Ring, a final year Journalism student, has been active in society life throughout her time in DCU, with a heavy involvement in Enactus. Her objectives include: compiling an Accommodation Advisory Service, running consent workshops, introducing a Physical Health Week and an Accessibility Awareness Week. To engage students on campuses that she will not be based on, Ring proposes to create a mobile SU and get out of the SU for a week to “eliminate that sort of almost daunting setting for a first year”.
Asked about her plans to improve mental health stigma, Mahony said that Alison wants to “teach people how to cope with their mental health” and that she does “believe the stigma of mental health has been very well addressed by the previous welfare officers.” Cody Byrne, a Psychology student, is the chairperson of the Irish division of the largest student led organization in the world, is a class rep and a student ambassador. His objectives include: establishing an accommodation website on the DCUSU page, creating an online peer support system and student blogs, and running more mental and sexual health workshops. When asked about engaging students on other campuses Byrne said, “it’s just time management and ensuring that if an event is happening on campus that it’s happening on another” and that he has to make sure he’s around and showing a presence. Byrne plans to enhance social awareness regarding disability issues and run a disability
week. “When I was growing up in America we had a disability week,” Byrne said. “You get a newfound respect for them”. Shane Parsons is a St. Pat’s student, running a joint campaign with Jack Bruton, an Engagement & Development candidate. His objectives include: the setup of an accommodation app, mental health awareness days, consent workshops and free STI tests. To engage with students off the Glasnevin campus, Parsons proposes to throw himself out there and talk to people face to face. when you’re talking to someone face to face, you get to know who they are, you get to know their personality, you get to know what they’re about,” Parsons said. “I think that will engage students more”. Parson wants to run mental health days throughout the year, “We only have one mental health week, throughout the whole two semesters. So why can’t we have a few days throughout the semesters and then have a week,” Parson told The College View.
Credit DCU SU
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
News
5
s: 17 students battle for the five positions in the new Students’ Union
Not all fun and James: Academic Affairs result expected to be tight Aoibheann diver Lifestyle Editor @aoibheanndiva
JAMES Donoghue and James Nolan are the two candidates running for the new position of Academic Affairs Officer in the Students’ Union election this year. James Donoghue is a Journalism graduate and the current Education Officer in the Students’ Union. He believes the experience he gained over the last year makes him the best candidate for the role of Academic Affairs Officer. This new position on the SU is based around two pillars; support and representation, according to Donoghue. “The first one involves exam results, changes in modules, disagreements with lecturers and grinds,” he said. The second pillar is repre-
sentation, which involves sitting on committees and representing students on various issues. “It’s not as glamourous, there’s lots of reading up to be done but I really do enjoy it.” Donoghue is a firm supporter of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and thinks they’re valuable. “They do some really good stuff. However I do think they need to branch out more in DCU and we do need to see them more.” When asked about a referendum on DCU’s affiliation with the USI Donoghue said: “I suppose it’s up to the students to decide but my personal opinion on USI is that it’s a great thing to be involved in, in terms of campaigns nationwide and things that interest students.” James Nolan is a second year Computer Applications student. He is the current faculty representative for Engineering and Computing and was a class rep in first year. He believes his “on the ground” experience will be
From L to R: Nolan and Donoghuer Credit Yhe College View
enough to win him the position of Academic Affairs Officer. The new position is going to be a stressful one, Nolan said, but with the help of the Education and Placement Officer, he will be able to handle the increasing number of students. “I’ve been listening to the two running for Education and Placement Officer and they have some brilliant ideas.”
“I don’t think CRC functions to the best of its ability.” Nolan said if elected he will work with the Engagement and Development Officer to improve the CRC. “One of my ideas is to give first time speakers a round of applause,” he said. “That is a huge confidence boost for people speaking for the first time.” Earlier continuous assessment and repeat exam results
is one of Nolan’s main points in his manifesto. “20 days before the start of semester one lectures is not good enough for repeat exam results. That’s putting more stress on staff as well as students.” Students can vote online for the SU elections via Loop. Voting will close today (Wednesday) at 5pm. The results are due to be announced after 6pm.
for students on placement is a major part of Rixon’s manifesto. He says while the SU have a limited budget allocated to this, he wants to “really push” for this. He wants to provide free printing credit for student teachers who print reams of paper for their placement. “Additional printing credit would be such a help financially because you do have to just print an insane amount, between resources for the classroom and all of the stuff for your own folder.” He also wants to push for travel expenses for students travelling long distances to where they are placed. Manus McLoughlin is Rixon’s opposition. He is a third year primary school teaching student and a two-time class rep. He also held the position of Entertainment Officer and Daytime Activity Officer. “When I read what the position was, I immediately thought it fitted me. It’s the role of the Education and Placement Officer to provide support for all students on placement that being said I’m not
going to ignore those who aren’t on placement,” said McLoughlin. McLoughlin wants to see end of semester one exams moved before Christmas, something DCU President, Brian MacCraith alluded might be in the works recently at Class Rep Council. In his manifesto, McLoughlin stipulates that students on placement need to have supports to look after their wellbeing while on placement. Like his only opponent for the position McLoughlin wants to introduce financial supports for students on placement. “It wouldn’t be too much of a thing to do to provide the students who are going on placement, say give them €50 into their printing credit,” he said. McLoughlin would also like to organise a shuttle service for students travelling to placement. The INTRA system is an area of concern for McLoughlin: “There’s huge problems with intra, right across the board I’ve been talking to students , if elected I promise in two weeks time, even next week to start putting in plans in place so those changes maybe can be implemented by next year.”
INTRA reform and aid for placements priority for Education & Placement From L to R: Rixon and McLoughlinr Credit Facebook.com
Alana Laverty & Katie O’Neill News Reporters @thecollegeview
STUDENTS on placement will have a representative in the Students’ Union after the role of VP for Education and Placement is introduced from next year. This role will be introduced to support student nurses, teachers and INTRA students on placement and will also target education and study issues. The Education and Placement Officer will be based on the St Pats campus. Both candidates for the role are St Pat’s students. Stephen Rixon is a final year Bachelor of Education, he is the current Societies Officer in St Pat’s. If elected, Rixon says his main aims are: consistent support for students on placement; ensuring feedback on all assignments and fixing any issues surrounding online learning platforms like Loop. Providing financial support
6
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
News
DCUSU Elections 2016: Candidate interviews and husting analysis
CRC top of the agenda for Engagement & Development post Hannah Kelly & Aisling McCabe News Reporters @thecollegeview
FIVE candidates compete for one of the two new positions on the Students’ Union, Vice President for Engagement and Development: Jack Bruton, Stephen Hallihan, Keith McGinty, Eimear Maguire and Naoise McHugh The College View spoke to the candidates about their ambitions. Bruton, a Humanities student at St.Patrick’s College, believes his approachable nature and dedication makes him the best candidate for the new role. Among his top priorities are: a more efficient class representative council, including more training for class representatives, setting up an events committee and being visible on the ground. “The involvement of each student from both campuses is something which I am extremely passionate about and feel this is extremely important next year with the amalgamation,” said Bruton. Stephen Hallihan, a third year multimedia student, believes his communication skills and ability to motivate people along with his involvement in societies make him the right person for the role. If elected he hopes to make the Students’ Union less political and wants to focus on utilising the class rep council fully.
He believes that people should “vote for me if they like me as a person, if they think I’m going to do a good job not because I promise to do A,B and C.” Keith McGinty, a fourth year St.Pats student studying a bachelors of education believes he “can make a real difference this year” in the position’s first year. His first course of action would be to execute several student engagement surveys so could be held accountable for the work he was doing. Overall McGinty wants to achieve a more universal way for students to engage across all campuses. “With more students there’s more power, and more opportunity to get things done”, McGinty said. Naoise McHugh is a final year multimedia student, who believes his “determination and social skills” will engage students across all campuses to get involved in extra curricular activities. McHugh intends to create a clubs and socks week across all campuses because he’s “always been involved in extra curricular activities”, as well as creating time management workshops in order for students to learn how to manage their workload so that they can engage in extra curricular activities. Eimear McGuire is a final year BA of Humanities student in St.
Engagement and Development candidate Naoise McHugh speaks at aa husting in St Pats Credit: St. Pats Twitter
Pats. Her participation in college life is what makes her believe she is “living proof ” that the amalgamation of the DCU campuses is going to work. She wants to “help people
realise that getting involved and developing yourself as a person” is the way to go to gain a better college experience. If elected, Maguire hopes to engage the students in what facil-
ities and activities are available, as she believed societies and getting involved in activities is what kept her going in college.
System errors leaves some DCU Stiff competition for students to vote by paper part-time SU positions
Aura Mcmenamin Deputy News Editor @thecollegeview
A system error has caused DCU students to vote by paper ballot for Education Faculty rep rather than online. Some students were registered in the Humanities faculty rather than the Institute of Education. Cat O’Driscoll, DCU’s new returning officer explained: “Because they’re currently listed on the website as humanities faculties, their voting homepage doesn’t show the Education Faculty rep elections.” The Education Faculty rep role is a new position. It will represent students from DCU and St. Pat’s studying education courses. The DCU students studying Education and Training will attend lectures on St. Pat’s next year as the amalgamation takes place. All students can view the universal franchise positions but can only vote
for candidates running for roles within their faculties. Attempts to work with ISS to resolve the issue were hindered out of fear of tampering with student records and the possibility of knock-on effects. This mix up led to a paper ballot box being used which comes at a disadvantage for one candidate. Emma Tunnicliffe from DCU is running for the role. She said: “Hopefully faculty will turn out. It is much easier if people can do it on their phone but I’m hopeful.” O’Driscoll assured that the floating ballot box would be easy for students to find. “We’re trying to make it as fair as possible. We’re going to make it available close to the classes affected. But I’m trying to put together a list of classes affected,” she said. “We originally thought it was just second years, but we’re finding out that more and more students actually don’t have access. Including some St. Pat’s students.” This comes as a help to St. Pats
Caoilinn Ní Thaidhg who was in the Gaeltacht during campaigning week. She spoke about her campaign’s limitations: “I am at a disadvantage. I haven’t been able to physically campaign on campus. “I’m also severely lacking in WiFi and phone coverage so simply getting in contact with people is very difficult.” Both candidates are promising to make the transition from DCU to St. Pat’s easier on students. “I’m going to arrange an induction day,” said Tunnicliffe. “So that students are shown where their classes will be. There will be tours and they’ll get to meet with the ambassadors of St. Pats.” Ní Thaidhg says she will help facilitate meetings with lecturers and show students around. Despite her absence from both campuses, she has DCU campaign team. “ I have an amazing team that has been speaking to people on my behalf. I hope to get my own face there, rather than just being on a piece of paper.”
Katie O’Neill Deputy Editor
@_Katie__ONeill
The new part-time position of Irish Language Officer is contested by three candidates, Cáit Ní Cheallacháin, Críotíona Ní Laimhín and Barra Ó Scannláin. Ní Cheallacháin wants to weave the Irish language into all aspects of DCU life. She says we can utilise St Pat’s Cumann na Gaeilge. Ní Laimhín wants to extend the Irish language out of just a tokenism Seachtain na Gaeilge. Ó Scannláin says he has successfully revived Cumann na Gaeilge in DCU. There are three candidates hoping to be successful in their bid for the Clubs Officer post: Sadhbh Candon, Philip Early, Karl McGovern.
Candon says her experience as a Class Rep has made her prepared to help with the merging of clubs after the amalgamation. Early says smaller more marginalised clubs shouldn’t be overlooked for scholarships. McGovern said he will incorporate Gaeilge into his position by encouraging students to practice the cupla focal they have. Callaghan Commons and Luke O’Riordan are your candidates for Societies Officer. Commons wants the Uaneen module extended across courses to allow students to have extra curricular activities extended. O’Riordan says he will introduce lockers for societies after storage space is taken away during the reconstruction of the Hub. Students can vote online for the SU elections via Loop. Voting will close today (Wednesday) at 5pm. The results are due to be announced after 6pm.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
News
7
8
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
News
DCUSU Elections 2016: Candidate interviews and husting analysis Humanities students shouldn’t have to defend degree quality- convenor candidates Emma Duffy & Jennifer Purdy News Reporters @thecollegeview
INTRA placements across all courses in the humanities faculty made up a significant part of each of the four convenor candidates opening addresses during hustings. Every candidate spoke about the need for an Intra placement across all schools in the faculty to allow students to gain more experience and to give them a better opportunity to secure employment in their degree field. Mentioned during the question session was what was the candidate’s opinion of the stigma associated with the faculty in re-
gards to claims students do less work for their degree. All candidates strongly dismissed this idea. Matthew McFadden said that students were making an effort while Aoife McArdle dismissed the claim as inaccurate and asked why there is a need for humanities students to explain themselves. Current conveyor Jordan Kavanagh asked what the candidates believed were his weaknesses during the year. All commended his setting up of the humanities ball and said they hoped to continue on his great work with Carmel Kenny saying she “couldn’t fault him on anything”. Caoimhe Ni Mhoalagáin mentioned her frustration in hav-
Engagement and Development candidate Naoise McHugh speaks at aa husting in St Pats Credit: St. Pats Twitter
ing to find out for herself if she was eligible to run for the position as her course falls across both the humanities and business faculties.mation of the DCU campuses is going to work.
Nurse appreciation high on agenda
She wants to “help people realise that getting involved and developing yourself as a person” is the way to go to gain a better college experience. If elected, Maguire hopes to
engage the students in what facilities and activities are available, as she believed societies and getting involved in activities is what kept her going in college.
for science and health hopefuls Katie O’Neill Deputy Editor @_Katie__ONeill
IT’S a two horse race for the position of Science and Health Convenor 2016-2017, Jason Bolton and Anton McDonnell respectively hope to be elected to the position on Wednesday. The absence of a faculty reading week, problems within the INTRA system and student nurse appreciation were some of the main top-
ics of debate at last weeks hustings for the candidates. As part of his manifesto, McDonnell suggests the introduction of an anonymous online system where student nurses on placement can submit complaints if they are being treated unfairly. His opponent Bolton, is also concerned about the wellbeing of student nurses and wants the SU to continue to appreciate nurses. “I want to make nurses appreciation day a yearly event,” Bolton said. Anton McDonnell is a third year Genetics and Cell Biology student, one of his ideas is
to create a student buy and sell book scheme for used textbooks within the faculty. Third year Analytical Science student, Jason Bolton. founder and chairperson of the Science and Health Society, Bolton says students engaging in the society can help them make friends in their faculty. When asked if candidates see themselves eventually running for SU President, McDonnell answered yes. Bolton said a role such as Welfare Officer might be suited to him but his focus now is on the convenor job.
Accountancy Learning centre
proposed at business school hustings Emma Duffy News Reporter
@thecollegeview
BUSINESS Faculty Rep Hustings took place in The Venue on Thursday. Niall Behan, Christine Farrell, Michelle Hayden and Louise McLarnon hope to be elected to the position on Wednesday. Behan plans to introduce an Acountancy Learning Centre,
similar to to the Maths Learning Centre on campus. He also spoke of his plans to develop a peer to peer scheme and run social networking events such as business allumni lunches. Christine Farrell’s manifesto is centred mainly on increased guest speakers for the faculty. The first year student also wants improved student feedback and communication with lecturers aswell as introducing a business faculty ball.
Michelle Hayden is also a first year student. She spoke of the need for a real time jobs portal, a proper water dispenser in the business building and how she would concentrate more on post graduates in the school. Louise Mc Larnon plans to introduce the Uaneen module to more courses if elected, as well as improve the INTRA system and introduce more one on one tuition and student help.
Engineering and Computing: lab optimisation suggested by candidates of role Hannah Kelly Deputy News Editor @thecollegeview
THE hustings for the Engineering and Computing faculty convener began with a three minute opening statement from each candidate and then opened up the floor for questions. The three candidates running for the position are: Riain Condon, Avril Hayden and Conor McCullagh. Ní Cheallacháin wants to weave the Irish language into all aspects of DCU life. She says we can utilise St Pat’s Cumann na Gaeilge. Ní Laimhín wants to extend the Irish language out of just a tokenism Seachtain na Gaeilge. Ó Scannláin says he has successfully revived Cumann na Gaeilge in DCU. There are three candidates hoping to be successful in their bid for
the Clubs Officer post: Sadhbh Candon, Philip Early, Karl McGovern. Candon says her experience as a Class Rep has made her prepared to help with the merging of clubs after the amalgamation. Early says smaller more marginalised clubs shouldn’t be overlooked for scholarships. McGovern said he will incorporate Gaeilge into his position by encouraging students to practice the cupla focal they have. Callaghan Commons and Luke O’Riordan are your candidates for Societies Officer. Commons wants the Uaneen module extended across courses to allow students to have extra curricular activities extended. O’Riordan says he will introduce lockers for societies after storage space is taken away during the reconstruction of the Hub. Students can vote online for the SU elections via Loop. Voting will close today (Wednesday) at 5pm. The results are due to be announced after 6pm.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Opinion 9
Climate change can no longer be ignored
Sonja Sjogren speaks about why people need to start taking the consequences of climate change more seriously.
Credit: econews.com
CLIMATE change and human-caused global warming are topics that have been talked about for years. Yet, many people still don’t believe in it for various reasons. Whether it’s because they personally haven’t noticed a difference or because of religious reasons, the scientists have, yet again, gotten new evidence that speaks for the reality of global warming. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports, February of 2016 was the warmest February on recorded history, as well as the warmest month compared to average. NASA has also reported that the month of January was the warmest ever January recorded. Actually, when looking at the global average temperatures reported by NASA, the temperatures seem to be going up year by year. 2014 was the hottest recorded year on Earth, until 2015 rolled on and claimed the title for itself. Not surprisingly, based on the temperatures at the beginning of 2016, this year is expected to become the warmest year ever. There seems to be a pattern here that indicates that global warming is real and the Earth is annually getting warmer. This debate has been going on for a relatively long time, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end soon, even though 97 per cent of climate scientists think that global warming is human-caused.
In addition to NASA’s data, many other signs suggest that the planet’s climate is changing for the worse. Environmental scientists have found multiple pieces of evidence that support the claim. Ocean levels are rising as the polar glaciers are melting, extreme weather conditions like heat waves occur more frequently, and whole ecological systems are changing the way they work. Some believe that the climate is indeed changing, but refuse to blame it on humans and explain it with natural trends in Earth’s climate. However, that doesn’t seem to be the truth, as there are numerous studies out there that suggest that humans have caused global warming. According to an analysis from 2015, some 95 per cent of global warming is caused by human activity. Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist from University of Reading said that 2015 was the “warmest year on record, primarily because of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases”. The main conclusion that can be made from the analysis is the fact that carbon dioxides and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising the temperatures on Earth. Last December, 195 countries agreed on actions to stop the climate change. The countries agreed to keep the average temperature rise at less than 2°C above the pre-industrial levels and to strive to limit the tem-
“ Climate change doesn’t just have an effect on the lives of future generations, we endanger many other species too
perature increase to 1.5°C. Over 100 countries support limiting the temperature rise to 1.5°C. This is a victory for environmental activists, but also for the nations that are most vulnerable to the climate change. Places like the Arctic and the Alps have already been affected by global warming and are warming up faster than other areas. It’s easy to fall into thinking that mainly cold areas are affected, but it’s not true: a tiny Pacific island of Kiribati is the first country in the world to ask for help to evacuate its population as the climate change is making their lands uninhabitable. A study by Nature Climate Change from 2015 suggests that the road to reducing global warming will be rough. According to the study, we must stop releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 2060 to reach the pursued average temperature by 2100, and it’s needless to say that oil countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela are skeptical towards the idea. However, many countries agreed to aim to reach the global peak in greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and to take rapid actions to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by best science available. According to The Guardian, a European Commission document says that reducing greenhouse gases “will require
exploring possibilities for realising ‘negative’ emissions as well as profound lifestyle changes of current generations,” which means that not all is up to the governments, and that we as individuals should take actions too. Climate change doesn’t just effect the lives of future generations, we endanger many other species too. By letting the situation get worse, we risk our children’s well-being and the well-being of our wonderful animal kingdom. Reducing your carbon footprint isn’t difficult. Small things make a huge difference if millions of people are making the same changes in their lifestyles. Instead of driving to work, take the bus and instead of a meaty spaghetti Bolognese, cook yourself a tasty vegetarian pasta dish. Opposed to the general belief, the meat industry pollutes the air more than transportation and just eating one meat dish a week less is already an improvement. Anyone can make a positive difference by changing little things, but it’s vital that we act now before the damage caused by climate change becomes even more catastrophic. Many ways to easily reduce the climate change are as obvious as using less hot water, recycling plastics, papers, bottles and other waste and changing your light bulbs into led ones. And don’t forget to turn off the light when you leave the room.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
10 Opinion
Should Ireland look to European methods of student housing?
The struggle to secure student accommodation is becoming more difficult every year. Conor Hawkins asks if Ireland should follow Europe’s lead by using shipping containers as housing.
WHEN it comes to student accommodation, there is no greater simplicity in life than living on campus. Unfortunately, this is a luxury that is not afforded to all students. Some are lucky enough to secure accommodation in designated student villages, such as Shanowen and Gateway in the DCU area. And then there are those left who have to search far and wide for a house to rent for the year, which speaking from my own experience, can be a real struggle. Houses have to be found online, be within a reasonable distance to college, viewed without guarantee of securing it and of course, some landlords can be very hesitant about renting to students. And when you finally find one, God knows how much rent you will be charged, especially in Dublin but what choice have you got? Some European colleges have quite a simple solution to ensuring as many students as possible can live on or as close to campus as possible. What is the genius behind this solution? The answer is shipping con-
tainers. Fully furbished shipping containers are being used to house students in multi-storey complexes across central Europe, especially in Germany and The Netherlands. In Amsterdam for example, the biggest development of shipping container homes in the world is located, called the Wenckehof. Built as a temporary housing experiment, it proved so popular with students that it was given permanent status by the Amsterdam authorities in 2011. Its success has intrigued architects and housing organisations looking for lowcost solutions to housing shortages in cities all around the world. DCU Student Garvan McVerry, who is studying in Germany this year and living in this type of container accommodation, had this to say about his home away from home: ”At first I thought it would be really weird living in something like this, as if I was being transported like some kind of refugee. But to be honest I don’t really notice it anymore. They’ve really put a lot of work into making students feel at home and while from the outside it looks very un-
Credit: ShutterStock
usual, it’s quite a nice place to live.” These container homes are perfectly equipped for living in, with cooking facilities and ensuite bedrooms. They are also much cheaper than paying rent for a house back in Dublin. ”In Ireland I was paying over
five and half grand, which equates to something like €600 a month. Over here I’m barely paying €300 a month which is great,” Garvan said. Containers are not massively expensive, and can be stacked up on top of each other, meaning that a huge amount of space isn’t
needed to construct a complex. These accommodation projects have obviously been a huge success abroad, and really should be considered being brought into Ireland to help tackle the growing problem of students finding accommodation.
Is ‘period leave’ an example of inequality in the workplace? With some companies now introducing period leave for female employees, Shauna Bowers explains why she thinks the allowance is unnecessary. A Bristol based company, Coexist, have recently released proposals which enable female employees to take time off during their period. ‘Period leave’ entitles women to a few days off when they are suffering from period pains. I personally don’t agree with the implementation of such a policy, and I hope that other companies do not follow the example set by Coexist. Feminism has been on the rise in recent years and many people associate the word ‘feminism’
with ‘man-hating’. Feminism is supposed to promote gender equality, but with the introduction of such a policy, is this not favouring female employees over their male counterparts? If we want gender equality, then men and women should be expected to put in the same level of work, over the same hours, with the same wages as a result. Women should not be given allowances merely because they have their period, which is a natural bodily function.
If a company was predominantly comprised of female workers, then their menstrual cycles would be in sync with each other due to working in such close proximities. It would be impossible to allow a large portion of your staff to simultaneously take time off from work. A company cannot be efficient and productive if staff members constantly require time off from the duties and tasks assigned to them. This is simply not clever business and could lead to large problems for the company.
Credit: Michelle Martin Credit: gapyear.com
“
Women should not be given allowances merely because they have their period.
Such a policy could easily be exploited and could become another epidemic similar to ‘pulling a sickie’. If a female employee was too tired, lazy or even hungover, they could very simply say they are on their period, and I’m pretty sure their male bosses would be too embarrassed or uncomfortable to question it. Unlike a sickness, which a doctor’s note can validate, the only proof for being on your period are sanitary products and the bathroom. Therefore, you cannot be asked to ‘prove’ you’re on your period as it would be unethical and demeaning. I understand that some women suffer from illnesses such as
endometriosis, fibroids or adenomyosis, which often result in excruciatingly painful period pains. This is different to regular period pains though as these are genuine medical conditions. In cases where women suffer from these underlying medical conditions, I do believe women should be prescribed time off from work from a doctor or medical practitioner who can confirm their diagnosis. Suffering from one of these conditions is vastly different than regular period pains. Normal pains can easily be dealt with paracetamol, heat lotion or even a hot water. A consequence of this implementation could be a massive decline in the numbers of women being hired, especially in large corporate companies. Employers would be disinclined to hire a female employee in case he or she had to make allowances with her work hours. This would lead to more males being employed because they would be viewed as more reliable workers due to the fact that they would not require monthly time off.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Gaeilge 11
Bábhta amháin fágtha i tSraith Náisíunta Iomanaíochta Paddy Lynch Scríbhneoir
@thecollegeview
NÍL ach babhta amháin fós le imirt sa tSraith Náisiúnta Iománaíochta, ach go leor idir dhá cheann na meá. Bhí feachtas thar a bheith díomách ag na gCorcaíoch agus cé go bhfuil orthu imirt in aghaidh Tiobraid Árainn an tseachtain seo chugainn, beidh orthu imirt i gcluiche íslithe, gan beann ar an toradh atá i Staid Semple. Thug siad taispeántas i bhfad níos fearr in aghaidh Cill Chainnigh i bPáirc Uí Rinn ag an deireadh seachtaine, agus iad chun cinn le linn an chluiche. Ach chaill siad mar thoradh ar cúil T.J. Reid agus Colin Fennelly agus cúilín ó John Power agus an t-am beagnach thart. Chríochnaigh an cluiche idir an Gaillimh agus Tiobraid Árainn ar chomhscór. Ba chosúil go raibh an bua ag muintir an Iarthair nuair a d’éirigh le Joe Canning cúilín a fháil ó phoc sleasa, ach bhí John ‘Bubbles O’Dwyer in ann comhscór a sciobadh ag an deireadh. Beidh ceann amháin den dá foireann iománaíochta seo i gcomhlint géar leis na gCorcaíoch chun stádas 1A a choimeád, ag brath ar a dtorthaí an tseachtain seo chugainn. Cé gur fheabhsaigh na Ceannaircigh go mór ag an deireadh seachtaine, tá tasc mór é an ceann is fearr as a chéile a fháil in aghaidh ceachtar den dá foireann seo. Tá feabhas ar leith tághta ar na fir ón gcaipiteal agus d’éirigh leo rud an-dheachair a dhéanamh ag an deireadh seachtaine – Bua a aimsiú in aghaidh Port Láirge i bPáirc Bhreathnach. Bhí sárthaispeántais ó Éamonn Dillon agus David Treacy, agus beidh siad ag tnúth go mór
Realtai don sraith iomana, David mcInerneny (An Clar), Eamon Dillion (Ath Cliath) agus Colin Fennelly (Cill Chhannaigh Credit: Sportsfile
le cluiche ceathrú ceannais i gcúpla seachtain. Gan amhras ar bith, an cluiche is tábhachtaí atá fós le teacht ná an cluiche idir Luimneach agus An Clár, i Sraith 1B. Tá sé beagnach riachtanach go n-éiríonn leo beirt iad féin scaoileadh ón Sraith seo agus beidh an chreach go léir ag na buaiteoirí. Is cosúil go bhfuil Luimneach i ndea-shláinte agus na ceithre cluiche buaite acu go cuimsitheach. Bhí imreoirí nua ag teastáil uathu i ndiaidh bliain díomach agus d’éirigh le T.J. Ryan imreoirí óga a chur chun cinn. Tá Diarmuid Byrnes, Richie English, Darragh O’Donovan, Tom Morrissey agus Barry Nash, imreor a bhuaigh cluiche ceannais na hÉireann fé 21 anuraidh, ag imirt go rialta anois. Chomh maith leis an mbua sin, d’éirigh le Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál a bhaint agus beidh Na Piarsaigh ag imirt i gCluiche Ceannais Iomána na gClub ar Lá Fhéile Pádraig. Is cúis dóchais don dtodhchaí é an rath seo. Tá An Clár ag dul sa treo ceart freisin. Ba chompordach an feachtas go dtí an pointe seo agus beidh gliondar an domhain
“
Gan
amhras ar bith, an cluiche is tábhachtaí atá fós le teacht ná an cluiche idir Luimneach agus An Clár, i Sraith 1B
orthu Podge Collins a fheiscint le camán ina láimh in áit liathróid pheile. Is ollmhór an cailleadh é Tony Kelly ach tá Bobby Duggan agus Aaron Cunningham ag cuidiú chun an bhuile sin a laghdú. Bhí mórán
cluichí spleodracha ag na Mumhanaigh seo le linn na nóchaidí agus tá an rud céanna ag tarlú arís sa déag seo. Tá an dá fhoireann inchurtha le chéile ach is cosúil go mbeidh lámh in uachtar ag Luimneach in aghaidh fir Davy Fitzgerald. I measc na hocht foireann is láidre, níl foireann amháin gan locht agus is léir go mbeidh Craobh a lán níos corraitheacha i mbliana. B’fhéidir gur é an rud is míshásúil le linn na sraithe ná taispeántais Laoise. B h í roinnt dul chun cinn déanta acu faoi stiúir Cheddar Plunkett le cúpla bliain anuas, ach ní raibh siad san iomaíocht ar chor ar bith in aghaidh Luimneach ag an deireadh seachtaine. Tá an-traidisiúin acu agus is mór an trua é iad a fheiscint i bponc.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
12 Gaeilge
Vale Tudo: Ón bpúirín go dtí an pálás Cál Ó Donnabháin Scríbhneoir @thecollegeview
NEADAITHE sna sléibhte agus sna cnoic in Rio de Janeiro, is monarchan de chineál éigin iad na ‘Favelas’, as a dtagann an mhéid is mó de iomaitheoirí sa chomórtas ealaíne chomhraic mheasctha is mó ar domhan ná aon áit eile. Tá cultúr troda cláiraithe i mball na gceantair seo ó bhreith agus bíonn bua acu nach mbíonn chomh flúirseach in aon chathair eile, ainmneacha cosúil le Vitor Belfort, Royce Gracie agus Gabriel Gonzaga ag cur béime ar ainm an chathair dhraíochta seo. In ainneoin go bhfuil na lúthchleasaithe seo ag troid ar son na corparáide UFC ( Ultimate Fighting Championship) sna Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, is as comórtas ina dtír féin agus iad ag treenail dó a thagann traidisiún troda na mBrasaíleach: Vale Tudo. Is Portaingéilis “Vale Tudo” ar an ráiteas trí mheán an Bhéarla “Anything Goes”. Bunaithe sna slumaí, thug Vale Tudo deis do dhaoine ag streachailt leis an dÍfhostaíocht a gcuid am a chaitheamh i mbun traenála agus ag troid ar son airgid. Toisc go raibh - agus go bhfuil fós - na ceantair seo fite fuaite leis an gcoiriúlacht agus an chaimiléireacht, chuir Vale Tudo béim ar onóir an iomaitheora agus meas a léiriú ar an duine a raibh os a gcomhair. De réir Sherdog.com, an suíomh is mó ó thaobh na ealaíne chomhraic de, is féidir an comórtas a leanúint siar chomh fada leis an mbliain 1914, nuair a thuirling saineolaí judo Seapáineach an Bhraisíl chun a eolas ar ealaíona comhraic eachtrannacha a fhorbairt agus é ag scríobh dialann ar a thuras. Ba mhúinteoir ar Carlos Gracie é, duine ceaptha a bheith ina athair ar an Jiu-Jitsu Gracie, ar a bhfuil aithne againn air inniu. Chuir a shean-mhac, Rorion, tús leis an gcomórtas agus comhlacht UFC le linn na 90idí. Bhunaigh Carlos ionad traenála ‘Gracie’s’ i Rio de Janeiro sa bhliain 1925 agus is san ionad seo a thosaigh an comórtasaíocht idir-ealaíne c h o m h ra i c ar dtús. Thosaigh an t-ionad ag cur fógraí amach inar thug siad cuireadh ar iomaitheoirí difriúla teacht chucu más mian leo “a n-aghaidheanna a fháil scriosta, a dtóin ciceáilte agus a
Troid vale tudo (thuas) agus laoch vale tudo Vitor belfoet (ar chle) Credit: UFC.com
ngéaga briste”! Tháinig daoine difriúla chucu tar éis dóibh glacadh leis an gcuireadh agus is trí bhua a fháil ar na hiomaitheoirí seo a fuair clann na ‘Gracies’ a meas. Don chéad uair, bhí an spórt ag dul chun chinn. Sa lá atá inniu ann tugtar fós “Vale Tudo” ar an MMA, nó ealaíona comhraic mea scaithe, sa Bhrasaíl agus ní haon rún é cén fáth. Is as an gcomórtas a thosaigh sna bailte seantán agus a thagann an MMA go díreach. Cé go bhfuil forbairt ollmhór tagtha ar an spórt tá rialacha curtha i bhfeidhm, tá aicmí meáchan ann agus
“
tá an spórt curtha chun chinn sná méain - tá na prionsabail céanna i gceist, an tábhacht chéanna ann i leith onóra fós croí-lár. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil áit breithe an MMA, agus an UFC mar gheall ar sin, lonnaithe sna cnoic stroighin in Rio de Janeiro, an lucht oibre mar chruthaitheoir aige. Cuireann sé le fios nach gá do dhuine casadh ar dhrugaí ná ar fhoirmeacha eile den choiriúlacht,
Sa lá atá inniu ann
tugtar fós “Vale Tudo” ar an MMA, nó eal aíona comhraic meas caithe, sa Bhrasaíl agus ní haon rún é cén fáth
go bhfuil slite ann do fhrustrachas a dhíriú ar ghníomhaíochtaí táirgiúla eile. Is ag deireadh an fhichiú haois a tháinig an t-éileamh is mó don Vale Tudo. I 1993, bhunaigh Rorian Gracie an UFC chun go mbeadh sé ábalta taispeáint don domhan gurb é Jiu-Jitsu Gracie an t-aon slí éifeachtach do dhuine meánach iad féin a chosaint. Chuir sé cuireadh ar throdaithe cáiliúla, fíochmhara mórthimpeall an domhain agus tháinig siad go Las Vegas chun dul i mbun troda lena dheartháir, Royce. Faoi dheireadh, bhí an bua ag Royce Gracie ar an gcomórtas agus bhí éileamh ollmhór ar ranganna Jiu-Jitsu Gracie, Vale Tudo ag tabhairt deise dó a ainm a scaipeadh. Bhí brionglóid clann Gracie bainte amach acu. Anois, de réir an Phríomhoifigigh Fheidhmiúcháin Dana White, tá luach $3.5 billiún dollar ar an gcomhlacht agus is as baile seantaí sa Bhrasaíl a tháinig an rathúnas seo ar fad. Is léir go n-oireann nádúr fíochmhar an spóirt ar nádúr an duine agus is as sin a thagann a cháil. Scéal rátha is ea é scéal na Gracies, Vale Tudo agus an UFC agus is féidir ionspráid a bhaint as an scéal, ag dul ó bhun an dréimire go barr an dréimire.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Features 13
Amnesty Protest reproductive rights while the government and media stay si lent
DCU voted to take a pro-choice stance but will their voices be heard?
Megan Roantree Features Editor @MeganRoantree
others have made it clear that this is important, but what use is a student union referendum which yielded such results if the government ignores this issue, making our referendum in DCU, USI and other IN February this year DCU stupolls in which people voiced their dents voted in a reproductive rights concern, somewhat pointless and referendum. Among the 1496 certainly ineffective. students who voted, 1057 voted This is why the world’s leading pro-choice and a further 146 voted human rights organisation Amfor legislation and amendment, nesty International is currently while a total of 189 voted pro-life. staging a two week protest outside This meant that DCU as a union, government buildings. will take a pro-choice stance. The organisation are hoping Students’ views on this issue that the protest will bring the on this can be compared to that of Eighth Amendment to the forefront the Marriage equality referendum of discussion between any potenlast year in which 93% of DCU stu- tial coalition. dents voted in favour of same sex During the 14 days, an addition marriage. We are an understandof 12 people will be made each day ing, non-judgemental and open to represent the number of women generation. and girls who travel to the UK for However, it is not just students abortions each day. who see this as an important issue. Colm O’Gorman, Executive A recent Amnesty International Director of Amnesty International and Red C Research & Markets poll explains that the addition of 12 found that 80% of people would people to the protest each day vote yes if a referendum were held, does not represent the extent of and 87% of the public want access those who are seeking abortions to abortion expanded. and that this is the minimum While many remain vocal on per day “This doesn’t include the the issue, it seems to be far from countless others who don’t give priority for our government, or Irish addresses, or who travel to whatever we may call it at this other countries. The parties to the stage in formation discussions, negotiations need to recognise that and scarcely covered by the media. women will not stop travelling for Students have had their say and abortions, and this issue will not
“ During the protest 12 people join each day to represent the women who travel to the UK for abortions each day
Credit: Chai Brady
be going away, during their time in government. A new government, whatever its composition, must not turn its back on the human rights of women and girls here in Ireland.” “It has been over a month since the election and we still do not have a government.” O’ Gorman said. “Over the next two weeks, efforts towards forming a government will ramp up. We will be here during lunchtime every day of those two weeks to demand that repealing the Eighth Amendment is on the table during those discussions.” The Union of Students in Ireland are also joining the protest outside government buildings each day. “USI has been pro-choice and campaigning for Irish abortion services since the early 80s. We are proud to stand alongside and fully support Amnesty International in this campaign.” Said Union of Students in Ireland President, Kevin Donoghue. “We are urging the next Government to repeal the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 as a matter of utmost urgency and replace it with laws that legalise free, safe and legal abortions in Ireland, at a minimum, in cases of rape, incest, risk to health or fatal foetal impairment; and to repeal the
Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for the Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995 and any related censorship laws. Legalising abortions in Ireland is critical to advancing gender equality, human rights and the position of women in Irish society. USI is calling on the next government to put this to a referendum and let the Irish people decide.” Pro Life Campaigners are also protesting outside the Government buildings in opposition to Amnesty’s protest. Deputy Chairperson of The Pro Life campaign ,Cora Sherlock, said she was there to ‘highlight the inconsistencies in Amnesty’s campaign’ While each side of the argument continue to protest, the majority of the media remain silent on the controversial topic. “It’s something that we noticed ourselves” said Annie Hoey, vice president of USI on the media’s lack of coverage. “I think the media is very nervous to actually cover anything to do with repeal the 8th in case they are accused of being unbalanced, a referendum hasn’t come up so you can’t be unbalanced in your reporting” “There’s just a huge media fear at the moment around reporting on ativities about the 8th amendment “
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
14 Features
Striking during the Centenary lost the Luas workers their support
The recent decision to strike on an significant day was seen by many as controversial. Sean Looney Contributor @thecollegeview
WHILE the Luas strikes have been an ongoing background piece for the last few months, the decision of the Luas drivers to strike during the centenary commemorations has pushed them to the controversial forefront of public opinion. In a poll by the Journal.ie asking: should the Luas drivers be striking on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday? The answer was a resounding ‘no’. 65% felt it was disrespectful and unfair to the public, while 24% acknowledged they had a right to strike but still felt it wasn’t right to strike during the occasion. Only 8% of the poll answered positively. This tactic, to strike on an important date, raises two questions. Has this been effective in other situations, and, does public opinion matter to these
unions? In November 2014 Mauerfall German train drivers, a 20,000 member union operating within Deutsche Bahn, commenced a 4 day strike action. It was billed to be the longest in German rail history and would hit Berlin during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Wall. Like with the Luas drivers and Transdev, there had been attempts to negotiate a compromise but the union sought collective action when their full list of demands was not met. As in Dublin, public opinion towards these public transport workers soured pretty quickly. Angela Merkel echoed the thejournal.ie’s poll in saying that workers have the right to strike but that right should be used responsibly, that there was a “common responsibility” for the union and company to reach a compromise.
Deutsche Bahn sought an injunction against the union to stop this strike citing that it was disproportionate to their grievances due to the level of damage it was doing to both the German economy and the inconvenience done to the German people. This was struck down and the union’s right to strike was supported by the court. What the GDL did next marks a difference between the Berlin and Dublin situations. Having done their damage to the company in their strikes on Wednesday through Friday and won their case in court, GDL called off their strike early on Saturday. The head of the German train drivers’ union Claus Weselky called this a “gesture of reconciliation”. Where has this gesture been in our situation? There has been none so far, the Luas drivers striked on Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, and are now set to strike again.
Credit: irishtimes.com
November 2014 did not mark the end of GDL’s strike actions against Deutsche Bahn. For the next year Berlin and Germany were marred by occurring strikes and failed negotiations. The people of Dublin may be in for
a similar experience if these disputes continue. In light of that the unions in question will need some modicum of public support and some small gesture of reconciliation may go a long way.
Saving my sight with Laser eye surgery Chaitanya Brady Images Editor @thecollegeview
STARING at a scalpel scraping a layer of my eye tissue aside, to better reveal my delicate cornea, is not what I generally do on a Friday afternoon. “Twenty seconds,” a nurse told Prof Michael O’Keefe, the Ophthalmologist performing the surgery, as my eye was bathed in an alcohol based liquid. This is used to soften the outer layer called the epithelium. For less than ten minutes O’Keefe made the preparations for a laser to perform the ablation -removal of body tissue- using an excimer laser. My eye was kept open with a speculum. An instrument with a similar function to what was used in the cinematic portrayal of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange – although far less barbaric looking. My outfit, of eye patch and speculum, was actually a rather comfortable fit. The laser creates a loud noise. If you move it automatically switches off, a welcome safety feature. A large blob of red and black swirls fill your vision, which you ponder at while distant voices note the progress of the laser. Then there’s silence. And it’s all over. There is no pain during the
“
A large blob of red and black swirls fill your vision, which you ponder at while distant voices note the progress of the laser Credit: theirishtimes.com
procedure, a local anaesthetic is applied beforehand: you are conscious throughout. The procedure is known as LASEK surgery, a less common form of laser eye surgery used to reshape the cornea in order to enhance vision. The most common procedure being LASIK, which offers a faster recovery time. The nurse had told me if my myopia, or short-sightedness had been any worse, they would have been unlikely to perform
the operation. “This will be a big procedure,” she informed me with a smile as she was doing preliminary tests. The majority of people who get laser eye surgery are between 25 and 35 according to O’Keefe, who has been doing refractive surgeries in Ireland for 25 years. He was one of the first of two surgeons to introduce laser eye surgery to Ireland. When asked why not many students undergo the surgery he said cost was the main barrier. He
operates from the Mater Private hospital, and warns that refractive surgery “is sold by many of these commercial companies as if you were getting your hair cut. “It’s far more than that, if there’s a problem, it’s a big problem. And who’s going to deal with that, where do you go then? It’s important that you go to the right place. For many young patients, such as students, suffering myopia and hypermetropia (long-sightedness) their vision may regress and
needtop-up surgery to correct it. Meeting your doctor before surgery and having excellent follow up care is integral to good medical practice according to O’Keefe. This article was written with the help of several local anaesthetic drops and great painkillers. LASEK surgery can be quite painful, but this normally subsides after about three days. Your vision stabilises after a week, but will most likely reach peak clarity two months after surgery.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Features 15
The Great Debate “Digs are the best solution to the accommodation crisis”
Credit :Conor O’Doherty
With the ongoing crisis regarding accommodation shortages, many are opting to live in digs.
FOR Aaron McElroy Contributor @thecollegeview
THERE are plenty of reasons why I can say that living digs this year was a great experience for me and would be for anyone. I will be the first to admit that after hearing urban myths and hearsay about nightmare digs I was apprehensive about it, but now, six months after moving in I can say it was very worthwhile. You live in a proper house. Last year I was living in Larkfield and to say it was scarcely equipped is an understatement. In digs however you are sharing a house with a family who also have to live in it, so it is guaranteed to be well kept and furnished. It isn’t like a creaky old rented house where the landlord cuts every corner to maximise profits. The houses are more than suitable and well above the standard of living usually associated with students. In my case, I was given full access everything in the house, from the Sky TV and broadband, Netflix, Playstation and even a home gym. I know not every house has these facilities, but you wouldn’t find it offered in other accommodation. Digs is more often than not a cheaper alternative to living in Dublin. Where purpose built accommodation and landlords can have prices set at ridiculously high to squeeze all the money out of our pockets, digs can be done as a way to fill an extra room or help out stranded students. My digs mammy told me that she offered the room because her son is off on Erasmus and being looked after very well, so she wanted to do the same with someone studying in Dublin. You are not restricted in what you do. This is a give away for campus accommodation but often overlooked when sharing a house. From day one I was always told that there is no problem with me coming or going as I pleased, regardless if it was 3am on the way home from town. As well as that, I have never been told that I can’t do something or been disturbed from my
“
Digs are well kept and well above the standard of living usually associated with students work - or naps for that matter - I had full control over my actions in the house. Socialisation. Never is there a day when I don’t by asked how my day was when I walk in the door. I am always presented with opportunities to mix with them and their friends. You learn so much by spending time with people outside of your usual social circle. This is something you don’t get elsewhere, you’d only be mixing with the same college friends all the time.
AGAINST Aoife McCormack Contributor @thecollegeview
WHERE you live while studying in third level education dictates so much of your college experience. One of the main reasons my best friends and I are so close is because we lived in the same student accommodation in first year. We all instantly connected when we found out that we all lived in the same place. I have lived in student accommodation for the past three years and it has been a brilliant experience. Student accommodation allows students to get to know each other and make friends with people outside of their course in a relaxed environment. This is something I think students living in digs miss out on. One reason I am against digs is because of other peoples feedback, a cousin of mine lived in digs when she was in first year. She said she found it difficult to make friends because everyone on her course either lived on campus or in a house with other students. The woman she lived with set a curfew of 11 o’clock so she could never stay out past that. She is now in second year and is living in a house a five minute walk from the college with four other girls. She is finding her college experience so much more enjoyable now. Beth Sheridan, a first year communications student in DCU is also living in digs. She said ‘I do feel kind of claustrophobic at times because I don’t really have much space and there’s me, a family of four, and two other students in a pretty small house.’ Living in student accommodation or a student house gives you so much independence. You can go where you want whenever you want! When most first years come to college it is their first experience of living away from home for a long period of time. This can be a daunting and unsettling experience for even the most confident of eighteen year olds. Living with students who are going through the same thing as you can be comforting and reassure you that having our own independence can be fun.
“
Living in student accommodation gives you so much independence, you can go where you want when you want Choosing to live in student accommodation has been on of the best decisions I have ever made. It means I have been able to get involved in society life in college, make so many new friends and it has made me a much more independent and confident person.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Understanding Autism 16 Features
Aine Monk discusses the common condition that many people don’t understand than they were 20 years ago.
Aine Monk Gailge Editor @thecollegeview
DID you know that 1 in 100 people in Ireland have some form of Autism? According to a study carried out in DCU, this is the amount of people living in this country who fall somewhere on the autism spectrum, my brother Thomas included.w I have known what Autism was since Thomas, was diagnosed. Thomas is an inspiration in that he can engage and communicate with others in an effective manner and has come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years. While he is now in fifth year in a mainstream secondary school, Thomas was lucky enough to have been one of the first students to attend the
ABACAS School in Drogheda, a school set up in 2003 to cater for the needs of children and young people with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. A lot of people don’t understand what Autism really means for the person diagnosed and their family. According to Irish Autism Action “Autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental disability that affects the development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication.” This means that someone who has autism may experience difficulty communicating and interacting with others as they go about their day-to-day activities. Thomas seems quiet in school, but is ridiculously chatty amongst family and members of the youth club he attends weekly, run by his old school ABACAS (each member is on the autistic spectrum).
“
Images appeared of people holding college degrees to their stomachs to show that there is much more to life than a skinny waist
Autism is often described as a ‘spectrum disorder’, meaning that two individuals with the same diagnosis may not experience the same difficulties at the same time. The symptoms can present themselves in many forms and combinations ranging from mild to severe. The three main areas of difficulty experienced by those
with autism are social interaction, social integration and social imagination. Although scientists are not certain what causes autism but research into autism and genetics has shown that it is likely autism is genetically pre- determined, despite rumours of its relation to certain vaccinations. Research is ongoing and experts hope
to determine which genes may be relevant and to what degree environmental ‘triggers’ (if any) may be involved in the increase in chances that a child may be born with autism. ‘The Autism Spectrum’ is a term widely used to describe the range of abilities and disabilities across the autistic community which can be defined as Severe, Moderate, Mild, High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS. Asperger’s Syndrome is a diagnosis often given to individuals who find social interaction and communication difficult. The person may also seek comfort in a rigid routine, including their preferred activities and interests. They may also experience sensory sensitivity, but will often display “normal cognitive functioning and language development”.
A4 waist : viral challenges are far from over Each new day brings a new internet challenge more harmful than the last. Aoibheann Diver Lifestyle Editor @aoibheanndiva
PICTURES, videos and chal-
lenges that go viral online can be humorous and entertaining but some more often they can just be asinine and dangerous. The latest of these trends to sweep the internet is the #A4Waist challenge. This task, which has gone viral in China, involves people holding up a vertical A4 sheet of paper against their stomachs to show how thin their waists are. They take a photo of this and upload it onto a Chinese social media site called Weibo. This idea that waists should be smaller than 21cm is not only unrealistic, it is unhealthy. There is already enough pressure on young people to be “paper thin” without it being literal, and a lot of this pressure comes from the internet. Social media is known to have a negative impact on the mental health of young people. Teenagers and young adults are so impressionable and the nature of the internet means that there is no limit to what can be discovered online. Between this bizarre body shaming and cyberbullying, it’s impossible for young people to escape the idea that being extremely thin is a necessity. The images being posted are so powerful that
“
Images appeared of people holding college degrees to their stomachs to show that there is much more to life than a skinny waist Philip McKinley, Fr Séamus McEntee, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Professor Brian MacCraith and Dr Anne Lodge Credit: Lynn Glanville
young, vulnerable minds can be manipulated into thinking that this is how they should look. China is becoming infamous for its controversial memes and trends. The belly button challenge involved girls wrapping an arm around their back to see if they could touch their belly button. Photos of people with their arms folded around their waists went viral on Weibo. After that came the collarbone
challenge, which saw people posting images of themselves balancing a row of coins on their collarbones. The idea is that the more coins you can hold, the skinnier you appear to be. But China isn’t solely to blame for these idiotic trends. Two years ago, the neknomination fad took off on social media here. For those who don’t recall, neknomination was an online drinking game that saw people
“necking” an alcoholic drink and “nominating” their friends to do the same thing. This was recorded and the videos were uploaded to Facebook. As stupid as this trend was, neknominations did not stop until they were taken too far. At least five Irish and British people under the age of 30 died after taking part in the challenge. The #A4Waist challenge received a lot of backlash and many
people have posted and tweeted about the ridiculousness of it. Images appeared of people holding college degrees to their stomachs to show that there is much more to life than just having a skinny waist. It is unlikely that we’ve seen the last of the foolish online crazes and there will probably be more body shaming and senselessness to come.
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Sport
DCU boxers win five medals at intervarsities Cormac O’Shea Deputy Sports Editor @CVSport DCU came away with five medals after a hugely successful Irish Athletic Third Level Boxing Association Championships at the National Boxing Stadium, Dublin on Wednesday, March 16th. Conor Smyth, Faolan Rahill, Shane Fitzgerald and Jake Duggan won their bouts to claim gold while Shane Carter was beaten on a split decision by Jacob Marrar of Institute of Technology Tallaght and had to settle for a silver medal. Conor Smyth was winner by unanimous decision in his bout at 81kg (12st 10lbs) while Shane Fitzgerald overcame his DCU teammate Stefan Stroe by unanimous decision to guarantee his medal as Stroe received DCU’s fifth and final medal in the colour of silver. Faolan Rahill was a winner by technical knockout (TKO) in the second round but was overshadowed by Jake Duggan who beat his opponent David McSweeney of Waterford Institute of Technology by TKO in the first round to claim the beginners’ 57kg (8st 13lbs) gold medal. Speaking to The College View Jake Duggan said he “was and wasn’t surprised” that DCU came out with one of their most successful medal hauls in the competition.
“2014 had been the most successful year at the Intervarsities for DCU Boxing but most of the 2014 team had graduated or were unable to train due to INTRA last year so we were almost building up a new team from scratch in 2015. “Having trained and competed last year we all gained a lot of experience which we could bring into the ring this year. That’s why the medal haul was so high in 2016,” Duggan added. Duggan won his fight by knockout, his first TKO ever and said it’s “one of hopefully many to come” but is not getting ahead of himself just yet. “Going forward I hope to continue boxing for DCU and keep the momentum of the Intervarsities going. “We’re hosting The Darren Sutherland Memorial, a fight night in The Venue, so my immediate ambition will be to get a good result in front of the home crowd,” Duggan said. Trained by Terry Keegan and Derek Ahern the gold medalist was quick to praise the two men who helped to get a relatively inexperienced set of boxers to a level where they can compete and win in these competitions. “I have to say, Terry and Derek are brilliant trainers and we could not have done it without them, they pushed us hard even from the early stages. “With the work that Derek and
17
DCU boxing club’s representitives at the 2016 intervarsities Credit: DCU boxing club
Terry put in, you felt yourself going from strength to strength each week. You couldn’t find two better men to be in your corner,” Duggan explained.
Of course these six medalists weren’t the only members of the team, many were unable to get a fight on the day while Joey Murphy was beaten in the preliminaries.
Up next for Jake Duggan and his teammates is the Darren Sutherland Memorial night on Monday, April 11th. The card consists of 10 fights, all of which are three rounds.
18
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
Sport
Sport unites, sport divides – The story Gaelic football coverage in the north o
Aaron Gallagher Deputy Sports Editor @AaronGallagher8
SPORT is a battle, battles make up a war and a war curtails an overriding conflict. Sport combines athleticism with finesse, and masculine repression with delicate restraint. War divides where sport supposedly unites. The reporting of sport by the media and those involved in it exhibit similar internal conflicts, albeit with less reward and more oppression than the medals and silverware procure. Discrimination is often discussed in terms of those in media reporting on sporting events and its athletes, but very rarely is discrimination ever found among fellow journalists, sometimes countrymen of the same nation - based on a sport. Based on religion. Jerome Quinn is a freelance video journalist working for various social media outlets and websites. He is the dominant figure in visual Higher Education Gaelic football and camogie coverage online through highlights packages, interviews with managers and players and other features. Having previously worked at the BBC presenting Gaelic football, he recalls memories discovered in a revolution of sporting coverage in the Beeb in the north of Ireland, at a time when Gaelic games had only then reached the beginning of mainstream coverage in the north at the beginning of the 1990s. reers officer. I didn’t really know what I was doing in those days. Sport & Religion He asked me what I wanted to do However within this internal when I grew up, and I told him I rebellion between him and his wanted to be a journalist. own colleagues based on divides “He turned to me and said, as trivial and equally significant ‘you don’t want to do that. It’s too as sport and religion, Jerome came hard to get into, you want to do to recognise those schisms spread sciences. Everybody is doing sciinto sports coverage, between ence these days.’ Gaelic games and other sports, “He made me do two additionand among the socio-political and al years of chemistry and physics religious identities of those who and maths. I failed them all and it advocated each. was the most miserable two years “I went for a job in BBC North- of my life.” ern Ireland sport in 1989,” he exTen years later, working for plains. “They didn’t give it to me the BBC, Jerome was asked to give but gave it to a guy from Bangor. a talk at his old school. As a jourThe job was to look after their nalist. Gaelic coverage and they gave it to Working for Radio Foyle in this guy who had no Gaelic back- Derry soon after graduating, he ground, was working at a newspa- would commit an unusual career per and had no broadcasting qual- backtrack for a reporter by earnifications. ing his keep on radio before mov“I had a diploma in journalism ing into print for the Irish News and was steeped in a GAA back- as a GAA reporter. ground. I had proven that I knew Sectarianism all about GAA and they gave it to this other guy.” But the next step up the ladJerome explains that man was der was prevented when his apProtestant. plication in the BBC was rejected. Jerome was born in Omagh “In those days the head of and raised as a Catholic. He real- sport in BBC was a person who ised an internal desire for report- didn’t employ Catholics, basically. ing from an early age. Graduating In fact she left a few months later, at 22 from Cardiff University, he I applied for the job again and I completed three years of universi- got it. There was a new guy in as ty in Sunderland before receiving head of sport and I was the first his postgraduate degree in jour- Catholic to be employed by BBC nalism. Northern Ireland Sport in any “I remember going to my ca- sort of production capacity.
Jerome Quinn in action with h
“I had prov-
en I knew all about the GAA and they gave it to this other guy... he was a Protestant
“But that’s why I didn’t get into it first and I went into newspapers. You can only deduce from that that it was discriminatory behaviour. But that’s the way the place was in those days. You couldn’t get up the system because of that.” With his feet now in the door on the sports team, new head of sport at BBC Northern Ireland Jim Neilly went about incorporating Gaelic games.
Incorporated
coverage of gaelic games at the time. “I was an assistant radio producer and I was discriminated against. Certain people didn’t want to know anything about Gaelic, they just wanted me to do the Gaelic programme and stay out of their way. “I went to games doing soccer and Gaelic. But when you went to soccer games people would be very suspicious of you. You would go to the likes of Windsor Park and you would see them looking at you, because they were looking at you thinking, ‘that’s the guy who does the Gaelic’.” Jerome recalls an incident involving a fellow reporter attending football games. “I remember a colleague of mine was in a press box at Linfield and the people in the crowd just turned on him. They were banging on the windows and screaming abuse at him. That sort of thing happened back then and still sort of happens to an extent. “You had it from people you worked with, from your boss. It was at different levels and degrees but it was because of the underlying politics of religion in Gaelic. It just wasn’t the way things had been done.”
“He changed everything,” says Quinn. “All of a sudden he said that we were going to do Gaelic and brought in the first ever championship television programme and we started to do Gaelic coverage in May 1990. “We took the Ulster Championship and every Sunday night we had an hour long Match of the Day style programme. Everybody was absolutely astonished that we were doing this programme. We had floods of letters coming in. Gerry Adams wrote in congratulating the programme and you can imagine the reaction that got. It was a complete turnaround from no coverage of Gaelic to lots of coverage and I happened to be in the department at the time.” Discrimination But the revolution was always self-contained, he goes on Having left the BBC a number to say, due to the fact that many of years ago on the grounds of accolleagues were not on board with cusations labelled against him of
THE COLLEGE VIEW Wednesday, 6 April, 2016
of of
his video cameraCredit: Jerome Quinn
criticising the company of being discriminatory, he now resides happily covering Higher Education Gaelic football and hurling, as well as ladies’ football and camogie as a freelance video journalist, most recently returning home to Belfast having documented the Ladies All-Star Team’s successful trip to San Diego, CA. “It doesn’t matter if you’re reporting on All-Ireland Final day in September or if you’re reporting from a preliminary round of the Sigerson Cup in January,” he adds. “A lot of people from other sports don’t get that. I am motivated the same way for Higher Education games, Ulster colleges games, camogie games, ladies’ football, as I would be for the All-Ireland finals.” The BBC experience dabbled in mixing revolution with revolt, all in the name of sport. Was it worth it? “On the one hand it was great and exciting and it was out there. Gaelic was a sport and you were getting recognition for it. But there was an edge to it. You were always thinking that there are a lot of people here who don’t want this and were dragging you down. So there was an undercurrent of people who didn’t want to see the changes.” He admits that one day he may write a book. There is no doubting there are more stories to tell.
Sport
19
Moynagh appreciates, but doesn’t aim for individual awards Aidan Geraghty Sports Editor @Aido1895 DCU Gaelic footballers Philip O’Donnell, Conor Moynagh, Colm Begley, Kevin Feely and Shane Carey have been named to the 2016 Sigerson Cup AllStar Team. DCU’s tally is second only to the seven University College Dublin players named to the team. Speaking to The College View, Cavan star Moynagh said that individual awards are never what he sets out for, but he does enjoy having his talents recognised. It has been suggested that Dublin’s dominance of this year’s selection (12 of 14 play for either DCU or UCD) is a direct result of the capital’s unfair recruitment advantage and Moynagh can understand the logic behind these claims, but doesn’t agree. “UCD definitely set the standard this year and we were right behind them but UUJ (University of Ulster, Jordanstown) weren’t very far off at all. “I suppose Dublin has a bit of an advantage in the sense that it’s the capital and players are attracted to play here but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “This year, the two best teams in the country were both in the final and that’s not always the case. They just happened to be from Dublin. Like I said, UUJ were right there and UCC (University College Cork) just had a down year but they’ve been good for a long time. “To be honest, I think the gap is between UCD and the rest of the country. It’s not between UCD, DCU and the rest of the country. “I think they (UCD) did it the right way this year. They had a full team out from the start of the year and probably had their system perfected very early. “ W e had some players who
“He’s (Niall Moyna) Mr.
Moynagh in action for DCU in the Ryan cup Credit: Sportsfile
DCU. Any player who has had the chance to play for him will tell you that. He really is Mr. DCU
twice in the league and again in the Sigerson final so their continuity and momentum definitely helped.”
Rest were involved in their club championships and some players who needed a break after the inter-county season. They beat us
As the college season comes to an end, Moynagh and his teammates don’t have much time to rest before the start of the All-Ireland Championship starts in May and June. “(Fixture congestion) is a big problem, particularly in January and February,” said Moynagh, criticising the year-round nature of
the amateur sport. “At that time of the year you’ve the McKenna Cup, the O’Byrne Cup, the McGrath Cup and so on. Then you have the Sigerson and National League so you’re a bit all over the place. “There was an eight day stretch this year when I played four matches. When you think about it, that’s complete madness. You don’t look forward to the end of the season because that means your county side is out of the championship but there are times that you need a rest.”
Mark A major talking point this since the GAA Árd Comhairle has been the introduction of the mark rule, as seen in Australian football and rugby, on a trial basis. “I don’t think it’s something that I’d agree with at all,” Moynagh claimed in relation to the development. “I’m not sure if it will change much. Teams will still play short kick-outs but it will only slow the game down even more. Lads will be taking marks when there’s nobody around them at all. I’d like to see them just take it in and lay it off to make the game a bit faster.”
Moyna When asked about the significance of Niall Moyna’s resignation as DCU manager, Moynagh said that, “Niall would be a massive loss to any team he’s involved with.” “I’ve been working with him for a good few years and he’s been involved with DCU for the guts of 15 years. “He’s Mr. DCU. Any player who has had the chance to play for him will tell you that. He really is Mr. DCU.”
Sport
INSIDE
THE COLLEGE VIEW
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
www.thecollegeview.com
Cavan’s Conor Moynagh chats to The College View
Read more on page 19
Seventh Annual Bill O’Herlihy Cup to take place on April 14th Aidan Geraghty Sports Editor @Aido1895 THE Seventh Annual Bill O’Herlihy Cup will take place on the DCU five-a-side pitches on Thursday, April 14th at one o’clock, it was announced this week. Named after the legendary journalist and broadcaster who passed away in May 2015, ‘the Billo Cup’ was first played in 2010 after then-College View Sports Editor, Niall Farrell, and his DCU FM counterpart, Stephen Long, came up with the idea. “At the time there was a heated rivalry between The College View and DCU FM, particularly between the two sports departments, as I’m sure there is now,” said Farrell. “There was some trash talking and eventually we decided to have a football match to settle the score. It wasn’t originally intended to be an annual tournament but it just happened that way. “I can’t really remember who came up with the idea to name it after Bill. I think it could have been David Hanratty (former Arts Editor of The College View). We decided to name it after him because he bridged the gap between print media and broadcasting. He was a renaissance man of sorts in journalism.
Fitness Niall told the story of the inaugural Bill O’Herlihy Cup, and how DCU FM’s superior fitness gave them the upper hand. “I don’t think many of The College View lads would mind me saying this but FM were a lot fitter than us. “We had one guy called Seán Buckley who, despite his name, is from Brazil. He was a great footballer but the rest of us weren’t up to much and a few of the FM lads played Gaelic so they were much fitter. After disappointment in 2010, The College View did level the overall score at 1-1 the following year but Niall explains that the result isn’t why the 2011 Cup was his most memorable. “Stephen (Long, then-DCU FM Head of Sport) was working in a hotel in Waterford at the time. He came back to college after the weekend once and mentioned that Bill stayed in his hotel that weekend. Of course, Stephen told Bill that there was a football tournament in DCU named after him. “Apparently Bill was completely taken aback by the notion that
The inaugural College View five-a-side team Credit: Niall Farrell
someone would name a football tournament after him. He was completely honoured and actually asked if we would let him present the trophy.
Memorial “Unfortunately it didn’t transpire and he didn’t turn up but we got a letter from him not long after the match explaining that something came up in RTÉ and he apologised.” Bill passed away on May 25th, 2015 and as a result the tournament has been renamed the Bill O’Herlihy Memorial Cup. Participation is not limited to members of each editorial team and all players are welcome.