Vol. XXV • Edition 5
November 2016
Fees Protest
Week in Review
Linnane Returns
Violence and Theft on Campus
By Paul Saunders
Calls have been made to increase security around the UL campus as numerous incidents of criminal activity have been reported in recent weeks. In the past week, three car windscreens were smashed on the north side of campus, numerous bikes stolen, a motorbike was rolled off campus by three hooded men and an elderly couple were attacked along the river footpath. Mayor of Limerick
Kieran O’Hanlon has called for a police presence on the campus to help bolster security as the large campus can be accessed by all members of the public. ULSU President Sarah Dunphy is worried that if we don’t combat criminal activity on the campus that it could become unmanageable: “I think some actions need to be taken because it could escalate, it’s at a point where it could be dealt with, but it could escalate. We do spend a lot of money on security
and I’m wondering if it needs to be increased, or is it being put to good use or is there something else we need to do.” On Monday, an elderly couple were approached by a man on a mechanised skateboard with a ginger boxer dog; he proceeded to push the male victim over into a bush before taking both of their phones, smashing one and throwing the other in the river. ULSU Academic Officer Donal Foley is concerned with security’s presence on campus: “Security seems like it has gone down for me personally since I started first year. “That poor elderly couple who’ve probably been walking around here for years and for that to happen, I don’t think they’ll be back on campus,” he added. Both Sabbatical officers are concerned that the rise in criminal activity on campus might make students feel unsafe and lead to students taking matters into their own hands. “Students might start taking security measures into their own hands and then they’re the ones that will end up getting hurt. “People with tattoos on their neck and pit bulls and big chains
swinging from around their necks shouldn’t be on campus. All the ruffians from Limerick city who come out here will be prepared to defend themselves with knifes and weapons and they are going to end up causing serious harm,” said Academic Officer Foley. Also on Monday, three parked cars had their windscreens smashed. Ciara Davis parked her car and came back a few hours later to see her windscreen completely broken with glass scattered all over her car. Ms Davis said: I think during at night there is kind of a “free-forall” sense around the campus, in the evenings I sense that kind of feeling. However, it is a huge campus
and no one can cover everything all the time, but it would be nice to see more out and about at night.” Donal Montgomery had his motorbike worth over €2000 rolled off campus last week by three hooded men. Mr Montgomery’s motorbike was parked near underneath the Engineering Research Building, when the three men broke the bike’s lock and rolled it past Plassey House and Kilmurry Village. Mr Montgomery was surprised at how the three men went unnoticed as breaking the padded lock and pushing the 250kg across campus would have aroused suspicion. “I think the area could be lit up better or more cameras in the
area, I also think that if there was a secure covered area provided for motorbike parking it would be better. If you need to stay late it’s at a huge risk, these footpaths where we can park are often poorly lit and provide a great opportunity for thieves and vandals,” he said. The bike was eventually recovered in a ditch past the Kilmurry by man out for a walk with his dog who had seen a post by Mr Montgomery online. Mr Montgomery said: “Luckily it was there and we could recover it with a trailer. It was due to social media and the rapid spread of my post which helped me locate it rather than the actions of the guards or security.” [continued on page 2]