Cathaoirleach Cumann McDonagh/Farell UCD Mick Reynolds was arrested and cautioned on Monday the 20th of October when taking part in a peaceful sit down protest against a proposed visit by Brian Lenihan to address a meeting at UCD.
Reynolds and a member of the Free Education for Everyone (F.E.E) group were grabbed by Gardai shortly after the protest began, handcuffed, and brought to Donnybrook Garda Sation. Reynolds and others arrested were released later with a caution for breaching the Public Order Act.
The protest iteself was organised by F.E.E and was supported by the UCD Student's Union. Students staged a sit down protest in front of the Clinton Institute of the college where Finance Minister Brian Lenihian was due to guest chair a meeting. Students were protesting against the possible return of third-level fees and the €600 increase in annual college registration fees announced in last week's budget, which would undoubtedly price many students out of college. Anger was also directed at Lenihan's disgraceful decision to take away medical cards from the over 70s. At least 200 students took part in the protest at its height, which was viewed as a huge success by the F.E.E movement, the Student's Union, and members of the Sinn Fein Cumann in UCD, many of whom were in attendace.
Students chanted "No cutbacks, no fees, no Fianna Fail TDS!" and waited outside the building for Lenihan to leave, having entered quietly through a side entrance earlier on. The crowd gathered as the evening wore on, as bystanders joined in the peaceful protest, but the Gardai still felt the need to pull people along the ground and out of the way.
Brian "The Budget Slasher" Lenihan
UCD Students Union president Aodhan O'Dea said the protest was designed to protest at Mr Lenihan's decision to increase third level capitation fees. "Students are saying that education is a right -- if a barrier is created against their right to go to university, they will create a barrier against the minister coming here," he said.
Mick Reynolds said "It was a really successful protest that showed that UCD students are becoming more and more aware of the need to fight Fees and high registration costs and any measures that Mr.Lenihan is going to bring in to discriminate against students. I'm just sorry I missed most of it having been picked out of a crowd at random by the Gardai with another young lad and dragged off to a prison cell, but it was great to see so many people still there when I got back to UCD, still protesting and waiting for Lenihan to leave. Heavy handed tactics won't stop anyone from Ogra Shinn Fein or any student from fighting fees, the fight is on now and if we can mobilise people like this again this is a fight we will win."
Remember demonstrate against education fees and cutbacks, Wednesday 22nd 2pm at the Dáil on Kildare St.
Reynolds and a member of the Free Education for Everyone (F.E.E) group were grabbed by Gardai shortly after the protest began, handcuffed, and brought to Donnybrook Garda Sation. Reynolds and others arrested were released later with a caution for breaching the Public Order Act.
The protest iteself was organised by F.E.E and was supported by the UCD Student's Union. Students staged a sit down protest in front of the Clinton Institute of the college where Finance Minister Brian Lenihian was due to guest chair a meeting. Students were protesting against the possible return of third-level fees and the €600 increase in annual college registration fees announced in last week's budget, which would undoubtedly price many students out of college. Anger was also directed at Lenihan's disgraceful decision to take away medical cards from the over 70s. At least 200 students took part in the protest at its height, which was viewed as a huge success by the F.E.E movement, the Student's Union, and members of the Sinn Fein Cumann in UCD, many of whom were in attendace.
Students chanted "No cutbacks, no fees, no Fianna Fail TDS!" and waited outside the building for Lenihan to leave, having entered quietly through a side entrance earlier on. The crowd gathered as the evening wore on, as bystanders joined in the peaceful protest, but the Gardai still felt the need to pull people along the ground and out of the way.
Brian "The Budget Slasher" LenihanMick Reynolds said "It was a really successful protest that showed that UCD students are becoming more and more aware of the need to fight Fees and high registration costs and any measures that Mr.Lenihan is going to bring in to discriminate against students. I'm just sorry I missed most of it having been picked out of a crowd at random by the Gardai with another young lad and dragged off to a prison cell, but it was great to see so many people still there when I got back to UCD, still protesting and waiting for Lenihan to leave. Heavy handed tactics won't stop anyone from Ogra Shinn Fein or any student from fighting fees, the fight is on now and if we can mobilise people like this again this is a fight we will win."
Remember demonstrate against education fees and cutbacks, Wednesday 22nd 2pm at the Dáil on Kildare St.
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