Universities crack down on St Patrick's Day troublemakers
Northern Ireland’s two universities have taken tough action against students involved in disorderly and drunken behaviour on St Patrick’s Day, it was confirmed tonight.
Following incidents in Belfast on March 17, suspensions, fines and warnings have been issued. In one case, a student was prevented from sitting end of year exams.
The University of Ulster and Queen’s University had pledged to crack down on drunken revellers this year after growing complaints from residents living in the Holyland area of south Belfast about the bad and anti-social behaviour of students.
They mounted a new campaign to curb the excesses of the students early in the year hoping to stop trouble in the area .
Yet on St Patrick’s Day students made up the bulk of the 18 people arrested after going on the rampage following a night of drinking.
Expressions of disappointment and warnings of action swiftly followed from both universities.
The University of Ulster said tonight that it had suspended three students for bad behaviour, one of whom was prevented from sitting summer exams.
Thirty students were fined for their antics.
Another 133 students received “final warnings” , said a spokeswoman. If those students came to the university’s attention again they would face suspension.
At Queen’s University one student was suspended, 25 received written warnings and 15 fines. Cases against a further 31 were dismissed.
More cases at Queen’s are pending.
