News 3
Tuesday | 18 November 2008 | An Focal
Minute’s Silence for Murder Victim An Focal Reporter
A strong gathering in the Plaza at 2pm on 12 November had just one message to send to Limerick’s violent gangs: “enough”. Following an email initiated by Ellen Byrne of the Irish World Academy, the campus community engaged in a minute’s silence in the memory of Limerick-man Shane Geoghegan who was murdered near his home in Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, close to the Crescent Shopping Centre, in a case of mistaken identity on 9 November. A few hundred students, staff and faculty, including University President Professor Don Barry and
SU President Pa O’Brien, congregated in the plaza to commemorate the life of Mr Geoghegan and to show their support for the ending of gangland violence in the city.Ms Byrne organised the demonstration through communication with staff and research postgraduates of the campus through ITD’s email ‘Opinions’ forum.“I believe the time has come for all rational and peaceloving citizens of Limerick to say enough is enough.”
She urged the campus community to mark its objection to the “shocking escalation in violence in Limerick”. “I’m not naive enough to believe that this alone will lead to the end of the cycle of hideous violence which has almost become synonymous with our city, but perhaps it may make our political leaders realise that platitudes and political breast-beating will no longer suffice.” One student member of the crowd commented that, “I’m not
from Limerick, but I’ve been in college here for three years now and I feel it’s a part of me. This latest murder was an absolute tragedy and my sincerest condolences go to the Geoghegan family. He was an innocent man in the wrong place at the wrong time. There needs to be justice and it needs to happen soon”. The Arena also opened a book of condolences which is placed in the foyer of that building.
Students’ Union Clarification In the last issue of An Focal (Vol XVII, No. 5, 4 November), ‘Notes from the Bath’ raised a number of points about the finances of the SU shop. The clarification intended to coincide with the column was mistakenly not printed at the time. It is printed below to answer the questions asked by the columnist and to clear up any ambiguities that may have arisen as a result of the column. The SU is not run with a profit motive but is careful with its money. Twice in the last ten years we have
nearly gone bankrupt and have had to be bailed out due to financial mismanagement. The new SU shop has only been open a year and a half and still has a massive loan outstanding (€500,000) which is serviced by any profits made. The shop’s accounts are available to everyone through the Companies Registration Office. The shop also sponsors ULSU Ents and so provides students with entertainment. The University Capitation (twothirds of which goes directly to Clubs and Societies) is used for
staff wages but doesn’t even cover these. Money we raise is used for free and non-profit services such as contraception, the bike scheme and the Nitelink. Of course, the Union exists to lobby for students but you cannot run an organization without money. Any money spent – any money at all – is approved by Class Reps in March for the coming academic year and so we are completely transparent with our finances. We hope this has cleared up any questions raised by this article.
Students participating in the minute’s silence in the Plaza on Wednesday, 12 November