Irish Student Newspaper of the Year 2008

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TuesdayTuesday 24 FebruFebruaryarary 22020090009 www.trinitynews.ie Issue 9, Volume 55 USI occupy Vitalic back for Trinity Ball

By Deirdre Robertson Gov’t offi ce College News Editor THE FULL line-up of dance acts of the 2009 Trinity Ball have been released this week. Trinity Students for 5 hours Union Ents Offi cer Nick Longworth confi rmed that French dance act Vitalic (right) will be returning » USI and Trinity SU take part in sit-in this year alongside Popof, The Glimmers, Streetlife » Gardaí block exits and access to toilets DJ’s, Brodinski and Vicarious Bliss. » Chair of Young Greens accuses student Longworth expressed his excitement at seeing protesters of “pulling stunts” Vitalic returning this year saying, “There was a huge » Meeting already arranged with Minister buzz about him last year before the ball and this year will defi nitely be the same.” Vitalic has been on the music seen since 1996/7 but only By Deirdre Robertson of the Department of the Environment released his debut album, OK Cowboy in 2005. College News Editor in the Custom House at midday and Speaking about the other acts, Longworth described them refused to leave. as “up and coming”. Popof - another French techno act is best THE YOUNG Green Party have accused Security called the Gardaí who known for their mix “Alcoolic”. According to Longworth the USI, the Trinity Students’ Union and enclosed the area where the students act is “set to be the new Justice” while, “The Glimmers were other unions across Dublin of “pulling sat and blocked access to all bathroom amazing at White Sensation in Amsterdam.” Street Life DJs stunts” following a protest on Monday facilities. The aim of the protest appeared are a popular London act. 16th February. The headliner for this year’s Trinity Ball has yet to be The Trinity Students Union was “The USI should announced with Longworth remaining tightlipped over the part of a small group of students who should stop many speculative rumours. barricaded themselves into the lobby of pulling stunts” Earlier last week, Scottish electroclash act, Calvin Harris the Department of the Environment as Barra Roantree, posted on his myspace that he would be playing at the Trinity part of the ongoing protest against the Young Greens Ball before the information could be offi cially released. reintroduction of third level fees. The artist has previously recorded with Kylie Minogue and The protest was organised by the to be to attract the attention of TD John released his debut album I Created Disco in 2007. Other acts Union of Students Ireland, Deputy Gormley, head of the Green Party as that have been confi rmed include Ladyhawke and Fight Like President and Campaigns Offi cer Dave USI President Shane Kelly commented, Apes. Curran. “John Gormley and the Green Party The Ball will take place on Friday 8th May this year and a 18 to 19 students - including Trinity got elected to this Government on the theme for the night has yet to be announced. SU President Cathal Reilly, Welfare platform that they were opposed to the Bartley Rock (centre) outside the offi ce of the Department of the Environment before their fi ve- Last year, ticket sales sold out in a record 4 and a half days Offi cer Orlaith Foley and Ents Offi cer hour sit-in in the lobby in advance of their meeting with Minister John Gormley. The meeting had with 1,000 applications being received in the fi rst 10minutes Nick Longworth – walked into the lobby continued on page 2 already been agreed. Photo: Jessica Pakenham-Money of going on sale. DU Football Club get the Blues Mystery tour

By Thomas Raftery

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY Central in mischief Athletics Committee (DUCAC) is said to be holding an inquiry into how the French Rugby team got permission By Lisa Byrne to train on Trinity’s cricket pitch last week. Some members of Trinity sports clubs have expressed dismay over the 15 MISSING persons and one arrest: the condition of the pitch amid fears that it 2009 Mystery Tour created the usual would not recover before the summer chaos attributed to the annual SU Tour. season. The group, which headed West The French team, due to a delayed towards the Midlands met various fl ight, elected to train at Trinity on the challenges along the way - many eve of their opening 6 Nations game self-created and all alcohol related. Members of the Tour partook in a “It’s fair to say series of Gumball challenges including we shouldn’t mooning people from the bus, doing a have invited lap dance and eating your own vomit. them” said Tony 15 party goers disappeared in Smeeth Mullingar and were feared missing. They never managed to make it back against Ireland two weeks ago. This is to the bus but luckily it was ascertained the third time the French have come to Scenes from the French team’s training session on the soccer pitch two that they were not lost but had found a Revellers around the Pav before the Trinity in the last decade, their manager weeks ago. Photos: Jessica Pakenham-Money house party and never left. 2009 Mystery Tour departs. maintaining a friendship with one of Many feared that the Tour would see the Dublin University Football Club There followed a hushed conversation not around to object when the French hold the authority to allow parties a repeat of the 2007 Tour which saw the law are not uncommon on the Tour. In coaches. However, Les Bleus found between French players and coaching moved onto the cricket pitch. outside of Trinity to train on the cricket group forget a girl who had fallen asleep 2008, two students were cautioned by the pitch unplayable and moved to staff, to which Chabal contributed a Despite the relatively short period of pitch, which if ruined now, will not in a nearby fi eld. Fortunately the girl gardai after attempting to break into a the cricket pitch which they had been series of aggressive grunts foreign even time the team spent on the surface, it was be able to recover fully in time for the woke up and managed to get a lift back hotel while intoxicated. refused permission to play on. Tony to the native speakers, and the whole left looking much like the neighbouring summer. Smeeth has admitted that “in to Dublin with another Tour Group Fortunately, this year saw no Smeeth, Director of rugby at Trinity, party moved to the cricket pitch. rugby pitch despite DUFC’s assertions those conditions, it would be fair to say some hours later. members of the group hospitalised as conceded that “the [rugby] pitch is the One source close to the Dublin that they “did not wreck the pitch”. that we should not have invited them, it The Palace nightclub played host to in previous years. During the 2008 worst I have ever seen it”. University Association Football Club The state of the surface has been was not really fair on any of the parties the group for the fi nal event of the night. Mystery Tour, two members of the group 25 enormous Gallic men poured out says that the French team contacted the cause of much dismay for Trinity’s concerned”. In accordance with one of the gumball were admitted to St. Luke’s General of the team bus - like something from an Terry McAuley, manager of the men’s Cricket, Soccer and GAA clubs, all of Regardless of the diffi culties, the challenges, many students were over Hospital for alcohol poisioning. “Asterix and Obelix” cartoon – signing football team and Director of Sport, to whom share the pitch. Smeeth insists French team were reported to be heard telling fairy tales to the bouncers Asked about the apparent autographs en route to the pitch. As the ask permission to play on the cricket that he did not give them permission “delighted” with how the session went, who, to the students credit, appeared improvement in behaviour compared superstars amassed on the touchline pitch about a week ago but were refused. to train on the cricket pitch, but felt noting the atmosphere of College Park rather amused. to previous years, Ents Offi cer Nick of Trinity’s grassless rugby pitch it was The French team then contacted the unwilling to offer any opposition once as especially pleasing. Despite the The night’s events did not end in Longworth attributed it to the help that clear, even to the non-French speaker, rugby club and were given permission they had moved off the rugby pitch obvious annoyance for Trinity’s sports Navan however. Upon return to the was on hand. “The additional marshalls that their pursed lips and extravagant to play on the rugby pitch. McAuley where they had been supposed to train. clubs who depend on that surface, the Capital, an unnamed member of the really helped and many thanks to all hand gestures were a sign that they and the football club had gone to a Several sources believe DUCAC are result the next day left most people group was arrested following a run- of them.” Longworth was quick to add were less than pleased with the facilities. tournament in Limerick and were inquiring into the event as they alone smiling. in with a milkman. Run-ins with the however “It did get messy though!” TRINITY NEWS 2 NEWS February 24, 2009

“You think you’re gonna win “We will be amazed that we spent an obscene “I think that it is glaringly do you?” amount of money on instruments of destruction obvious that the time A Suttonian hockey player THIS FORTNIGHT when a small fraction would have fed the hungry” has come in this campaign jeering the Trinity supporters - Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Hist last week. for direct action and that our Trinity went on to win 4-0. solutions and inputs on the THEY SAID... issue of third-level funding “There was a huge buzz about will not be listened to unless him last year before the ball we ensure that our voices are and this year will defi nitely heard with things like this “It would be fair to say that we should not have be the same” kind of action”. inivited them, it was not really fair on any of the Ent’s Offi cer Nick Longworth SU President Cathal Reilly on last parties involved.” discussing Vitalic weeks USI sit-in Tony Smeeth, Director of Rugby, apologising for Compiled by Lisa Byrne allowing the French team to use the Trinity pitches in “It’s Pancake Tuesday advance of their game wiith ireland two weeks ago. some day next week”. “The USI should stop pulling stunts and engage “It’s always done, it’s like eating or sleeping. Overheard in Trinity this week. with the Department of Education in trying to fi x “I’m absolutely delighted to actually win it!” it’s not as if I can just miss a day” For the record - it’s today .... one of the key barriers to access to higher TCD historian, Dr Micheál Ó Siochrú, on his win for Claire McGlynn, DU Harriers and Athletics Club education.” ‘Best Single Documentary’ at the IFTA ceremony last record holder on her training schedule. Barra Roantree, Chair of the Young Greens on the week. same protest NUMEROLOGY Professor’s Darwin claims

By Meadhbh McHugh His creative genius and academic Compiled by Lisa Byrne capabilities, Professor Fitzgerald also aligns with a diagnosis of Asperger’s. THIS FEBRUARY, as we celebrate “Asperger’s syndrome gave Darwin the 200th anniversary of the birth of the capacity to hyperfocus, the extra Charles Darwin, Trinity’s Professor capacity for persistence, the enormous 5 Michael Fitzgerald has shed new light ability to see detail that other people on one of the world’s most creative and missed, the endless energy for a lifetime » The number of hours the Student Union sit-in lasted at the Department infl uential thinkers. Speaking at the dedication to a narrow task, and the of the Environment. annual meeting of the Royal College independence of mind so critical to of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Academic original research.” Psychiatry about the link between Professor Fitzgerald concluded: creativity and psychiatric disorders, “Creativity is extremely complex, and Fitzgerald claimed Darwin was a likely so far no theory or model of brain €40,000 sufferer of Asperger’s Syndrome. Professor Michael Fitzgerald has said Charles Darwin, above, was autistic function has been able to explain it “It is suggested that the same genes fully. But I hope that future progress in » The amount Presidential hopeful Daniel Curry says he can save by that produce autism and Asperger’s Darwin had a childhood obsession He had a tremendously visual brain. He understanding the basis of autism may scrapping the SU paper The Record. syndrome are also responsible for with hoarding shells and insects that spent eight years studying barnacles, lead to a better understanding of autistic great creativity and originality.” extended into adulthood with an and wrote books on his observations of creativity and creativity in general.” In Asperger’s Syndrome is characterised obsession with chemistry and gadgets. earthworms and even his own children.’ his studies of creativity and psychiatric by severe and sustained impairment in It is known Darwin took solitary Fitzgerald believes the link between disorders, Prof Fitzgerald has previously social interaction and from Darwin’s walks, ritualistically walking the same AS and Darwin’s enormous creative cited Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, 50 biographical details, Professor route daily and was a compulsive letter and intellectual output during his life is George Orwell, H G Wells and Ludwig Fitzgerald has deduced that Darwin’s writer, letters usually devoid of any signifi cant. Darwin’s theory of natural Wittgenstein as examples of famous » The number of years ago that Catholics were forbidden within the social avoidance, emotional immaturity social dialogue. Professor Fitzgerald selection set out in On the Origin of and brilliant individuals who showed gates of the College. and fear of intimacy may have been the said: “Darwin had a massive capacity Species, now forms the basis of modern signs of ASDs including Asperger’s result of the autistic disorder. to observe, to introspect and to analyse. evolution theory and “Darwinism” as syndrome. Beethoven, Mozart, Hans The individual with AS may also have From adolescence he was a massive an umbrella term has had far-reaching Christian Andersen and Immanuel restricted and/or repetitive patterns of systematiser, initially of insects and effects on society, not only in the fi eld of Kant have also received post mortem 6pm behaviour, interests, and activities. other specimens which he catalogued. biology, but socially and philosophically. diagnoses of Asperger’s. » The time by which, 50 years ago, female students had to vacate the College grounds. €17 TCD historian wins IFTA By Sarah-Rose Montague of the subject of Cromwell for the last The success of the programme, » The amount for non-dinner tickets to this year’s Apollo Ball four to fi ve years. His motivation in however, does not mean that Ó Siochrú presenting this period to the Irish people will be pursuing the limelight of television ONE OF the winners at this year’s Irish is based on his belief in its relevance; hastily, saying “There is a lot of pressure Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) saying “Cromwell is a hugely important for people to make documentaries or to was Trinity lecturer and historian Dr subject for the Irish and it seemed like be involved in television” but it needs 7 Micheál Ó Siochrú. The documentary, an appropriate time to refl ect again on to be because “you have the expertise ‘Cromwell in Ireland’, won the ‘Best Cromwell and his legacy”. and have something new and fresh and » The number of goals that the Trinity Men’s Thirds hockey team put past Single Documentary’ category at the Ó Siochrú, keen to re-address the interesting to say, instead of just being Weston Hockey Club on Saturday. award ceremony on 14th February. Ó focus of historical documentary on on telly for the sake of it”. Siochrú had co-scripted and presented modern and twentieth century history, The documentary, directed by the two-part documentary that was also feels that in T.V histories there is a Maurice Sweeney, was competing for aired on RTE last September. lot of “dumbing down” of the material, the best single documentary IFTA The documentary, which was aired which results in “producing something award against programmes such as to coincide with the 350th anniversary that is far too simplistic”. Instead he Brian Keenan’s Back to Beirut, Patrick of Cromwell’s death in 1658, explored relevant to our understanding of both wanted to “produce something that McCabe’s Blood Relations. Cromwell Cromwell’s military campaign in Ireland. the past and the present, somebody did justice to the complexity of the in Ireland, however, took the prize, Although Cromwell is a controversial to be closely studied and understood, man and of the times while at the same Ó Siochrú did not attend the award fi gure and his campaign blamed for the rather than revered or reviled”. time producing something that people ceremony, because he didn’t think it INFORMATION death of an estimated 500,000 Irish Ó Siochrú has worked on numerous would be able to watch and follow”. The would really be “his scene”, but he said people through war, plague and famine, other television programmes previously viewing fi gures show that the objective that he “was absolutely delighted that Editor: Martin McKenna Ó Siochrú offered an objective take on but this was his fi rst time presenting was achieved with the programme we actually won it”. Despite this he Deputy Editor: Anna Stein the period and reveals how Cromwell a documentary. His book, God’s achieving one of the highest ever ratings felt that although “it’s really nice to be Website: Stuart Martin actually helped lay the foundations of Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the for a history programme on RTE 1. acknowledged and win it, but for me Business Manager: Lia Prendergast modern Ireland. Although admitting conquest of Ireland, published last year It is also currently showing on The what was much more important was Copy Editors: Tom Lowe that Cromwell did “commit monstrous to critical acclaim, is the basis for the History Channel in the UK and will the public response. It was absolutely Eleanor Friel acts”, Ó Siochrú also points out that “he television presentation of the subject. soon be broadcast on The Smithsonian brilliant and for me that was the real Kara Furr remains a remarkably modern fi gure, He has been immersed in the study Channel in the US. success of the programme”. Kiera Healy Ruth Mahony Sarah-Kate Geraghty Photographs: Rachel Kennedy College News: Deirdre Robertson National News: Una Geary International News: Kasia Mychajlowycz Deirdre Lennon Sit-in at Dept. of Environment News Features: Features: Emily Monk Opinion: Aoife Crowley continued from page 2 else that the campaign is determined to World Review: Aaron Mulvihill be listened to.” Travel: Derek Larney re-introduction of third level fees…the The students remained in the lobby Business: Grace Walsh reason we are here today is to remind for 5 hours surrounded by Gardaí both Science: Luke Maishman the Minister of his party’s pre-election outside and inside. The group consisted College Sport: Conor James McKinney promises. We want Minister Gormley of USI offi cers as well as several Student TN2 Editor: Hugh McCafferty to issue a strong statement reaffi rming Union representatives from colleges in Film: Michael Armstrong his commitment to these pre-election Dublin. Among the group was an Irish Music: Catriona Gray promises.” Independent photographer who made Fashion: Patrice Murphy However the Young Green Party his way in only to fi nd himself enclosed Books: Jean Morley accused the students of “pulling stunts” inside with the students. Theatre: Kathy Clarke because, Young Green Chair Barra At 5pm, the students left. John Art: Caroline O’Leary Roantree said, “the Green Party…have Gormley has agreed to hold a meeting Food and Drink: Melanie O’Reilly repeatedly voiced their opposition with Shane Kelly to discuss the Green to the re-introduction of third-level party strategy in relation to fees. All Trinity News staff can be contacted at tuition fees. USI would better serve According to Reilly, Kelly will call fi [email protected]. the interests of students by opposing on Gormley and the Green Party to the two main parties who both support “actively oppose the re-introduction of Trinity News is funded by a grant from DU Publications Committee. This fees. The USI should instead highlight fees.” publication claims no special rights or privileges. Serious complaints areas where savings could be made in In response to the Young Greens, should be addressed to: The Editor, Trinity News, 6 Trinity College, Dub- the education budget. The USI should Reilly stated, “I think that it is glaringly lin 2. Appeals may be directed to the Press Council of Ireland. stop pulling stunts and engage with the obvious that the time has come in this Department of Education in trying to campaign for direct action and that Trinity News is a full participating member of the fi x one of the key barriers to access to our solutions and inputs on the issue of Press Council of Ireland and supports the Offi ce of higher education.” third-level funding will not be listened the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to Trinity’s SU President Cathal Reilly to unless we ensure that our voices are defending the freedom of the press, offers readers admitted that, “Minister Gormley had heard with things like this kind of action. a quick, fair and free method of dealing with com- never refused to meet us. There was With our calls to be listened to those plaints that they may have in relation to articles that always going to be a meeting and the who will be responsible for the decisions appear on our pages. To contact the Offi ce of the protest did not result in a meeting.” made with regards to University funding Press Ombudsman go to www.pressombudsman.ie He commented that the purpose of the falling on deaf ears, it would be defeatist protest had actually been “to (give) the of us to not push harder to ensure that Numbers were slim at the USI protest outside the Custom House. Photo: message to all Greens as well as everyone we are heard.” Jessica Pakenham-Money TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 NEWS 3 SHORT Report demands restructuring CUTS

By David Molloy at times it appears to impede what the individual offi cers. of the European Studies offi ce (and its each department receives separate University expects SLLCS to achieve.” This has met with strong opposition amalgamation into some larger body) funding, “is not helpful to the cohesive ASSAULT CHARGE The report further criticises the from students and staff alike. While would be a huge loss to students, and development of the school.” AN EXTERNAL review of the School “purely metrics-based allocation model one of the executive offi cers contacted we agreed to voice our opposition It was also recommended that all TCD LAW STUDENT of Literatures, Languages and Cultural of research income” which “does not declined to comment, the report itself formally.” students in the school (except those Studies has criticised the college’s favour the humanities” and suggests the notes, “some of the EO’s were vocal “To lose this vital focal point would studying Irish) spend third year abroad. ASSAULT CHARGE funding model and the “duplication of implementation of a peer review system in their opposition to any change to be a severe blow to students, as well as Consideration was also given to the effort” by support staff. to assess the quality, as well as quantity, conventional departmental structures.” damage co-ordination and the quality suspension of M.Phils which were A TRINITY Law student has The report questions the use of the or research. It also states clearly that This proposed restructuring of the of the degree, which is surely not the proving unpopular, and requiring a escaped prison after being Academic Resource Allocation Model, “the psychological effects of the massive school’s support staff has led to the college’s intention.” higher standard of modern Irish from convicted of punching a a controversial fi nancial system which ARAM defi cit have not been good for organisation of students who are against The external reviewers, however, students in that department (at the cost barman in Dublin. was phased in over the past number of morale.” the proposed changes. “contend that the present arrangements of medieval Irish). 20 year old Fiachra Cork, years, citing it as a “contributing factor” The report questions aspects of The student representatives in the are not in the best interests of either A common complaint heard by the was accused of punching Garry to both the school’s heavy debt and their the administrative procedures in school have been gathering student students or administrative staff, for reviewers was that “Many students Rafferty outside Kennedy’s inability to match the research output of the school. Foremost among these opinions on the matter over the last whom, as noted above, there appear to complained about cramped, airless and having been removed from the their UK counterparts. is the recommendation that the number of days, and the response be relatively narrow career development windowless rooms” in the Arts building, bar for dancing on the tables. “The University also expects the executive offi cers of each department appears to be uniformly in favour of opportunities.” “but it is not immediately obvious what The altercation was research performance of the School be reorganised to offer services preserving existing structures. Other recommendations of the report could be done to alleviate these very witnessed by two gardai and to be fully comparable with that in categorised by function rather than A meeting took place last week of SS include the School operating as its own real problems.” Mr. Cork was arrested. comparator universities, even though subject. This means that the individual European Studies students at which the “cost centre”, meaning that it would The review took place between Mr. Cork was ordered to TCD is only funded at approximately departments would lose their specifi c proposal was discussed. receive funding from the Treasurer’s November 5th-7th last, and consisted of pay €1,000 in compensation to 70% of the level of a similar UK executive offi cers in favour of a central The SU SS class rep, Aaron Mulvihill offi ce on behalf of all its departments, interviews and discussions with both his victim and €230 in witness institution. The present punitive ARAM offi ce for the school, with specifi c said, “we found everyone was in allowing for greater fl exibility. students and staff within the school. expenses. He was also told does the School few favours. Indeed, areas of responsibility delegated to the agreement that the proposed abolition The existing arrangement, in which to donate €1,000 to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Judge Ni Chonduin decided to enact the Probation Act, which dismissed all charges. This ensured that Mr. Cork did President Mary McAleese Trinity challenges not receive a criminal record which would have prevented him from pursuing his career in honoured by Law Society stereotyping law. (Lisa Byrne) APOLLO BALL APOLLO BALL By Kate Palmer age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religion or social status. GETS GO AHEAD The competition aims to highlight TRINITY ARE participating in an the advantages of being part of Trinity’s WHILE FUNDING cutbacks intervarsity competition to challenge varied academic community in which have by now become an all prejudicial stereotypes which are 2,300 out of 15,300 students are too familiar problem, ball believed to cause social injustice. international, and female students now season almost had an unlikely Only fi fty years ago female Trinity outnumber their male counterparts. casualty as a result. Fortunately students were obliged to leave College Trinity’s an ongoing objective for histories and humanities by 6pm, whilst Catholics could not to further equality interests and students, the Apollo Ball was gain entry at all. Since then equality embrace the University’s cosmopolitan rescued last week. has become a central feature of atmosphere is seen in previous 2008’s Ball received fi nancial College life, and TCD are celebrating competitions. Last year’s ‘Changing backing from the history this transformation with the 2009 Perspectives: Equality and Diversity in department. However, due to ‘Challenging Stereotypes’ creative my University’ photography competition cutbacks, they could not give a competition. Open now to members of was met with participants from all deposit this year. the seven universities of Ireland, it aims backgrounds. The winner of the TCD Last year attracted 300 to foster a positive approach towards staff submission, Learning Outcomes people in the Guinness growing diversity in the university Facilitator Dimitrios Paraskevas, praised Storehouse but with deposits sector. the competition for its innovatory for hotels with this capacity Trinity’s Equality Offi cer Karen approach towards promoting diversity at €2,000 and the Apollo Ball Campos McCormack is inviting and social cohesion. seemed doomed. entrants to submit a piece of writing, Prospective entrants should visit the Now, due to a deposit from photography, artwork or a combination website of the Equality Offi ce in Trinity the History Soc. the ball will go of creative mediums relating to one at or e-mail Ms. Campos McCormack ahead in a reduced capacity in of the nine grounds of discrimination at [email protected]. Closing date for the Russell Court Hotel on 4th prohibited under Irish legislation: entries is 20th March 2009. Winners March. (Seamus Donnelly) gender, marital status, family status, will receive a Sony E-Reader.

President McAleese at the Law Society last Thursday. Photo: Rachel Kennedy

By Deirdre Robertson time when Europe was facing into a the only reason that she was able to come to most horrifi c events in its history with college in Dublin. the advent of World War One and Adolf She noted that Ireland was in Study Law at DIT PRESIDENT MARY McAleese spoke Hitler’s rise to power. a recession when she started her to past and present members of Trinity It was also a time when Trinity undergraduate degree in Trinity and was College about Ireland’s need to ‘shape College had fi nally accepted women still suffering from economic downturn up’ and maintain fortitude against the into its student body but insisted that all when she returned in the mid 1970s to recession in a speech she gave to Dublin females had to be off campus by 6pm. teach in the Law School. University Law Society in Trinity last President McAleese outlined this rule - Outlining the many ups and downs DIT School of Social Sciences and Law offers several innovative, Thursday. which was not changed until the 1960s throughout the society’s life, President The President was speaking at the - as an example as to how much Ireland McAleese said it was due to the strength flexible-delivery law programmes, ideal for graduates interested in 75th Anniversary of the Law Society on has changed since then. and fortitude of small groups of students enhancing their learning by acquiring an informed understanding of Thursday 19th February. She could not name all of the previous that the society remained constant Held in the Dining Hall, the event heads of DU Law Society for fear of throughout all of these crises. Irish and European law. included both past and present members omitting too many but only mentioned In a line reminiscent of Barack of the society including law lecturers the fi rst female president of Ireland, Obama’s inauguration speech, President and many who had been students in Mary Robinson. McAleese said that Ireland needed to POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LAW (FULL-TIME) Trinity at the same time as President Mary Robinson was succeeded in “pick up the baton of prosperity..., dust McAleese. her position as head of the Law Society it off and carry it safely”. Ideal as preparation for the Law Society entrance examinations, and President McAleese spoke about the by her husband and then her brother, Quoting Seamus Heaney’s poem offering a vital edge in a variety of other careers, this programme is many years of recession that Ireland has a chain of command ‘most gratifying ‘The Canton of Experience’ she said, faced before. Charting her way through to women’ according to President “We are, once again, if not in the Canton open to honours graduates in any discipline.Successful graduates of the life of the DU Law Society, President McAleese. of Expectation, then in the canton of this programme are eligible to apply to complete a Master of Arts in McAleese outlined how Ireland has President McAleese spoke of the foreboding.” suffered economic downturns and yet year that she started and how the The Law Society awarded President Law. Deadline for applications: April 24th, 2009 recovered countless times in its history. introduction of free secondary level McAleese an honourary membership to The Law Society was set up in 1934, a education in Northern Ireland was the the society. DIT also offers a number of innovative programmes in Law and Social Sciences including:

MA IN CRIMINOLOGY (FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME) MA IN CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY STUDIES MARCH (FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME) DIT Postgraduate Open Day – A date for your diary BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LAW Graduates – Thinking about a postgraduate (PART-TIME, ADVANCED-ENTRY) programme? Why not come along to the DIT Postgraduate Open Day on Wednesday, 11th March from 4pm to 7pm LLB - BACHELOR OF LAWS at DIT, Aungier Street, Dublin 2. (PART-TIME, ADVANCED-ENTRY) Our full and part-time postgraduate programmes, at Diploma, Masters Book your place now on our popular law programmes! and PHD level, are designed with the real world in mind. FURTHER INFORMATION Come along and fi nd out more 11 about where DIT can take you. For further information or an application form for any of our programmes, e-mail [email protected] T: 01 402 3445 or call 01-4027181 E: [email protected]

DIT – It’s a step closer to the real world. www.dit.ie www.dit.ie DIT - It’s a step closer to the real world TRINITY NEWS 4 NEWS February 24, 2009 SHORT CUTS ‘The Arch’ inspires at visit to Hist

By Ursula Choill are often left with moral dilemmas: whether they should speak out against LAW DAY human rights violations and risk being THE DUBLIN University Historical expelled or should they stay silent. He LAW DAY IN AID Society discussed the theme of religion said Ireland should fully acknowledge in the modern world in the inaugural the contribution of the Irish OF CANCER SOC meeting of the 239th Session on Tuesday missionaries especially in establishing THE DUBLIN University Law 17th February. schools in the developing World. He Society, in association with the The line up of guests included commented that although Concern is a Trinity Cancer Society, will be Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop non-denominational organisation, the holding their annual Law Day Diarmuid Martin, CEO of Concern Tom values of religion and their own vales on Thursday, Feb 26th. Arnold and Senator and Trinity Law are connected. Street collections will begin Professor Ivana Bacik. The motion of the The Reid Professor of Law in Trinity at 7am with a free Avoca evening was outlined by Auditor of the was the fourth speaker: Ivana Bacik said breakfast for collectors in the Hist, Thomas Kinsella in his inaugural that Archbishop Tutu’s speech showed Atrium from 9am. paper entitled “The Role of Religion in us that there was too little laughter and Other events include a the Public Sphere”. This was, as CEO of perspective of our economic woes. She ‘Salon of Doom’ in the GMB Concern Tom Arnold said later, “a brave called herself the secular cat among the from midday, a 5-a-side soccer topic delivered by a courageous young sacred cows of the night arguing that tournament, beer pong outside man.” the Catholic Church continues to have the Pav and a slave auction Beginning with quotes from the two too much power that is detrimental featuring the stars of the much- visiting Archbishops, Kinsella’s paper to our society in three main areas: the talked about College Cancer argued that religion is best served when Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the inaugural meeting of the College Historical Society. Photo: Kevin O’Rourke Constitution, the Education System Calendar, to be hosted by it doesn’t try to dictate public or political and the Health care System. She said Dave McSavage. opinion but rather that religious values said that being a part of the struggle those who have nothing. Joseph went abuse and said that it is integrity people “we don’t need to be of any religion The FM104 Road Hog will can inspire that work. He said that against Apartheid was an exhilarating to the inn and asked the innkeeper for a look for most in the institution of the to hold true to the pluralist values of be broadcasting live from religion should be used as a springboard experience. He said that “God’s room as his wife was expecting a child. Catholic Church. He said “the story of republicanism.” Campus all day. instead of an obstacle and referred to Universe ought to have compassion, The innkeeper said: ‘That’s not my fault’ Creation is an affi rmation of the world Archbishop Tutu fi nished by A night out in the Button Archbishop Tutu’s simple but powerful hospitality and laughter...You are all and then Joseph replied, ‘It’s not mine as a gift” and “reminds Caesar not to act talking of God’s dream “which can be Factory will follow. analogy of religion being like a knife: family. You all exist in a relationship of either’.” as God”. appreciated by those of all faiths and of All proceeds will be going you can kill with a knife but you can also interdependency...Public life is informed Also speaking at the event, CEO of Concern, Tom Arnold none: when we will be amazed that we to the Irish Cancer Society cut bread with it. by religion...We have a responsibility Archbishop Diarmuid Martin declared continued the theme by noting that spent an obscene amount of money on and with the current R-word Nobel Peace Prize Winner, to the widow, to the orphan and to the that the Catholic upbringing of many even in a recession “Charity may begin instruments of destruction when small affecting charities in particular, Archbishop Tutu, who received the alien. You should harvest, but don’t people in Ireland has left them small- at home but it doesn’t end at home.” He fraction would have fed the hungry. The everyone is encouraged to take Society’s Gold Medal for Outstanding take away everything...When you have minded and insecure. He condemned said that development is about freedom world will be wonderful and will be full part and contribute. Contribution to Public Discourse, power it is defi ned by what you do to the “arrogance of power” of clerical and that NGOs in developing countries of laughter.”

ART CURATOR TCD APPOINTS FIRST CURATOR Freshman crowned Trinity victorious at TRINITY HAS appointed its fi rst curator for the College art collections. latest Miss Trinity debating competition The full time position was given to Catherine Giltrap who will now be responsible for professionally managing all of the paintings and sculptures on display in Trinity either publicly or privately. Her fi rst project will be to set up a central art collections management database which will see digital reproductions of works online. It is due to be installed by 2010. Ms Giltrap has previously helped with the ongoing work to restore and protect the Arnaldo Pomodoro Sphere. Participants at Miss Trinity in Club XXI last week.

By Meadhbh McHugh Such a relaxed approach soon changed PIRANHA! EDITORS throughout the course of the contest, as the judges’ ruling led to the tightest competition of the SCHOLARS BID THERE WAS a surprising amount of activity for an pageant’s history, contestant Terry McCevoy falling Winners John Gallagher and Andrea Mulligan. early Wednesday evening in Dublin’s Club XXI last short of second place by only one point out of sixty. FOR PIRANHA! week, as Trinity students prepared to pose and sway The competition then reached dead heat between By Brian Barry thing about it. People should be gripped by what their way into impressing the judges for the annual Michelle Cummins and Clodagh Mullins, of whom the speakers have to say” she said. TWO SCHOLARS are set Mr or Miss Trinity College Dublin competition. the latter gained an intensely close victory. Gallagher and Mulligan, who have been debating to take on the editorship Launched only last year by online entertainment The Junior Freshman BESS student described STUDENTS JOHN Gallagher and Andrea Mulligan as a team for a number of years brought a small but of Piranha!, Trinity’s often directory ‘www.afterdark.ie’, Dublin University’s her win as “really unexpected, especially as I of Trinity’s Historical Society claimed the top excitable hardcore group of fans to the debate who controversial satirical fi rst both-sex beauty pageant is part of a nationwide entered at the last minute”, complimenting the prizes at the Irish Times Debate Final last weekend were duly rewarded for making the trip down to magazine. Jonathan Wyse contest to fi nd Miss University 2009 from 32 “stunning” attire of her fellow contestants. When in Limerick. Limerick. The pair argued in favour of abolishing and David McGuire, both JS participating third-level institutions across Ireland. asked about her chances in the upcoming Miss This is the third year in succession that partition in Ireland, focussing not on history but Scholars resident in Goldsmith Last year’s winner, the Miss Dublin Institute of University competition, Clodagh commented that members of the Dublin University Historical instead arguing that a modern, new united Ireland Hall, have submitted an Technology Kerri Ingram, gained free entry into “the thought of it hasn’t really sunk in!” Society have taken the team prize in Ireland’s would be economically and socially viable and a application to DU Publications. the Miss Ireland 2008 pageant and a year-long Event organiser Ivano Cafollo described the largest debating competition. The two fi nal year better use of resources. In the absence of any other modelling contract with Asset Models, along with evening as a “complete success”, attributing the students successfully opposed the motion: “This The pair have won a trip to travel to the US applicants at time of writing, being named the fi rst ever Miss University. close fi nal verdict to the high quality of contestants, house believes the partition of Ireland should as guests of the National Parliamentary Debate they can be presumed Despite the prospect of such a coveted prize, leaving the judges with a “very diffi cult decision to remain permanent”. David Hopkins, also of the Association, to tour some of the fi nest debating successful when the committee Wednesday’s contestants were laid back as they make”. Mr. Cafollo complimented the participants Hist, won the individual runner-up title at the fi nal colleges in the country visiting Miami, Texas, meets on March 3rd. donned their glad rags and set out to entertain the on their appearance and confi dent demeanour, which was held in the University of Limerick. Colorado, California and Alaska along the way. Current editor Andrew substantial crowd that had gathered for the event. describing them as “highly intelligent individuals, The latest winners follow in the footsteps of The adjudicators of the fi nal were Eoin Booth embroiled the magazine It promised to be an evening of glitz and glamour obviously pursuing serious degrees with some an illustrious list of past-winners and fi nalists McVey, managing editor, Irish Times, Professor in controversy this year with as some of Trinity’s fi nest left their studies in great personalities to match”. He emphasised including Mary Robinson, Mary Harney, Marian Brent Northurp, chair of the communications a spread detailing how best favour of showing off their most formal attire, be the importance of the competition in providing a Finucane and Dara O’Briain. department at Carroll College, Montana and to carry out a killing spree it prom dresses or tailored suits. The competitors unique opportunity to enter the modelling industry, Final year law student Andrea Mulligan spoke to National Parliamentary Debating Association on campus. Copies of the remained surprisingly coy when quizzed about especially in the current economic climate. Trinity News of her delight at the victory: “We’re so coach Professor Paul McCutcheon, vice president magazine were removed from their tactics for impressing the judges, most of Clodagh Mullins will compete alongside other excited. John and I always wanted to win the Irish of the University of Limerick, Dave Whelan, former circulation and no new issue whom had never entered a pageant or considered Irish colleges to become Miss University 2009 this Times. It’s a competition that emphasises oratory team winner (2005) and Jarlath Ryan, team runner has appeared since. modelling as a career. March. over other aspects of debating which is the great up (1996).

YOUR VIEW

DO YOU VOTE IN CHLOE CHAMPION KIERAN CRAVAN KAORI KONO JR RYALL SEBASTIAN LECOCQ JF BESS PHD GEOLOGY SS ECONOMICS JS NATURAL SCIENCES JF HISTORY AND PHILOS- STUDENT UNION OPHY ELECTIONS? No, I haven’t followed any of the I don’t think I can vote in the Yeah I do. I’m only voting for the I am yes. I’ve half decided who Yeah, I’ve decided who I’ll vote candidates at all. I’ve been busy election this week. I think I president. My friend is going I’m voting for. I usually see if for most of them. One of the with exams. vote for the Graduate Students for it this year but I usually listen candidates will tell you what candidates going for president Union but I’ve kept myself away to friends’ opinions in deciding they will actually do rather than is my fl atmate and I’m friends anyway. They do make an effort anyway. just telling you that they will with some of the other candi- but I haven’t got involved. change everything. dates so that made my deci- sion. I choose on the basis of personalities. TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 NATIONAL NEWS 5

SHORT UCC Atheist Society welcomed CUTS By Lillian O’Sullivan that this society will be successful as was legalized despite strong opposition Irish society, 98 percent of Irish primary denominational or non-denominational this is the fi rst of its kind in Irish third from the Church. Moreover, there has schools are still run by the Catholic schools. Recently the Commission level institutions and there is a large been great advancements since the era Church. The European Commission stressed the need for secular schools IRELAND’S FIRST Secularists, portion of the student body that have when Catholics were prevented from against Racism and Intolerance to accommodate immigrants from FUNDING Atheists and Sceptics university society no religious beliefs and those students attending Trinity until 1970. has urged the Irish authorities to different backgrounds, who now account has been formed in UCC. The recently need representation on campus.” Despite the apparent secularization of promote the establishment of multi- for 10 percent of the Irish population. MAYNOOTH established society aims to encourage Trinity Chaplain Revd Darren Mc Callig, The SASS plans to invite guest an understanding of rationality, reason expressed his opinion on the possibility speakers to UCC to discuss such STAYS POSITIVE and critical though, while also providing of a similar society here in Trinity: “I THE FACTS OF THE MATTER issues as the above mentioned secular a support network for non religious welcome the establishment of such a education. They have plans to invite a IN TOUGH TIMES students. society. As far as I’m concerned the » Atheism can be broken down » The term atheism originated as member of “Educate Together”, a non The founding members of the society more informed debate we can have on into two positions: “strong a pejorative epithet applied to denominational education system that DESPITE THE economic met on the Atheist Ireland website, and these issues the better.” atheism” and “weak atheism”. any person or belief in confl ict teaches primary school children of all recession, and the lack of from here they got the idea for a similar Ireland has rapidly been moving “Weak atheism” is the broad- with established religion. religious beliefs to the Cork campus. government funding for Irish university society. towards a more secular country in est and most general defi nition Currently there are 56 schools in the universities, NUI Maynooth Atheist Ireland which formed in recent years. In the 1970s, more than of atheism. It’s the absence of » Ireland today is one of the most country operating under the Educate president John Hughes is 2006 aims to “provide a platform for 90% of Irish Catholics said they went belief in any gods. “Strong athe- religious countries in Europe, Together system. positive about the future of the people who wish to work together to to Mass once a week. Now the number ism” is the explicit belief that according to the 2006 census, Although the UCC society is the college. build a rational, ethical and secular is 44%, according to a recent survey. gods do not exist. 95.5% of people in Ireland ad- fi rst of its kind in Ireland, in recent The university, which is society free from superstition and (Although a dramatic drop, the fi gure here to a stated religious belief. times there has been an increase in Ireland’s fastest growing, will supernaturalism.” remains high compared to other » The number of Irish atheists has the number of similar atheist societies implement over the next Adam Dinan, a member of the European countries.) increased by 59% since 2002. in the main third level institutions of ten years a 200 million euro society, explains why he thinks the Ireland has come a long way since western countries. A similar society is development plan. This will society is necessary. “We are confi dent the late 1970s when the sale of condoms set to appear in NUI Galway. not only bring better facilities to the campus, but will also create better links with neighbouring industry. For this new construction project the campus will be trying to avoid over reliance on the state. Hughes is quoted in the Sunday Business Post Disability explaining the money will come from “philanthropy, borrowings and money generated internally”. The university has set up an “offi ce of commercialisation” which serves to “develop links with industry...promoting a culture funding of research commercialisation”. The development of the campus will also create up to 150 much needed jobs in construction. By James Arthurs slashed TUTU HONOURED Disability Funding has been cut, affecting TUTU HONOURED thousands of students in need of assistance. BY UCD AND NUIG Humanitarian activist and With reporting by James McCleane Fay from Nobel Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, received UCC and Fearghus Brian Roulston in TCD The GMB was made accessible with the addition of the outdoor lift, above. Photos: Rachel Kennedy prestigious awards from two of Ireland’s universities this week. TUDENT DISABILITY they receive funding from UCC, the have been asking students who are on those who needed it most. chief executive John Dolan. The latest In NUIG on Sunday February funding has been cut cuts that have affected students have dyslexic and use scribes exactly when “We always get applications for manifestation of this problem has been 15th he addressed the college’s nationwide “by 25% for been taking place nationwide, across they need them, and working with funding where the funding is sometimes in the education sector. Literary and Debating Society. high end users”, according all universities and third level education lecturers to make more notes available not spent.” The disability offi ce wanted Last week Batt O’Keefe, the Minister He praised NUIG’s outstanding to disability offi cer Mary institutes in Ireland. on blackboard as we need to try and to stress to students that their welfare for Education, signaled that special record of volunteerism, making SO’Grady. The National Access Offi ce The cuts were described as coming cut back funds where they are not as was of primary concern, and that the teacher support for children with mild particular reference to the (NAO) informed disability offi ces on from the NAO, which has had to deal needed.” level of support from academic lecturers learning disabilities was to be cut for 119 university’s ALIVE programme campuses nationwide in December last with “many more applications this When asked how this is being was greatly appreciated. schools across the country, in an effort which promotes civic year of the cuts, which have affected all year”, according to the disability offi ce. achieved for dyslexic students, Ms. Support for students with disabilities to save up to seven million euro. engagement. the universities in Ireland. According “The way these funds are allocated is O’Grady explained: “Our offi ce and has become an increasingly important The cutbacks now appear to have Archbishop Tutu, a staunch to the disability offi ce, cutbacks by by application to the NAO through our several departments in UCC have issue in Ireland. There was some impacted on third level education also. defender of human rights and the NAO have been the result of a offi ce: the NAO have the responsibility been training dyslexic students with opprobrium in October of last year The number of students with disabilities opposer of corrupt regimes, combination of the country’s current of where and how they are allocated.” technology that will assist them in their when the government announced its attending Irish universities has grown a called for a community of economic climate and a much greater “The diffi cult thing for us right now studies.” Ms. O’Grady further explained plans to reduce funding for the access great deal in the last fi fteen years, but ‘togetherness’ in order to number of applications last year. The is reallocating the funds to those who that scribes were not as needed in and innovation program, designed to without government help many fear combat the global challenges disability offi ce explained that while need it most” said Ms. O’Grady. “We certain lecture situations, where aid students with disabilities in entering this welcome development could be we now face. He called for dyslexic students had agreed to use college. reversed. resolutions to humanitarian digital dictation machines for later note Ned Costello, chief executive offi cer Trinity’s efforts to provide services crises such as shortages taking, and other cases where lecturers for students with disabilities have come of clean water and basic placed notes on blackboard. Without under scrutiny in the last few years. healthcare and education, Ms. O’Grady further emphasised the continued After the closure of the Buttery bar, it while also condemning the importance of funding for high-end investment, many was noted that the college no longer had vast sums of money spent on users. vital services a bar with disabled access for students, large military operations. “Those with sensory and severe could be eroded. and recent development plans for the At the event in Galway, physical disabilities require more Pav have advocated a different access he was honoured with the funding, and require more assistance of the Irish Universities Association, route which would allow wheelchair society’s President’s Medal, in their independent learning”. She described the move at the time as users to reach the pub more easily. presented by Dublin musician went on to say that it was the aim of the being “extremely demoralising”. There There has also been talk of Bob Geldof. disability offi ce to help all students in has been concern recently that, given redeveloping the grounds of college, The following day, UCC to become independent learners. the current economic cutbacks, the possibly by placing a path along the Archbishop Tutu addressed “The NAO has allowed any additional development of disability services will be cobblestones, to improve ease of access UCD’s Literary and Historical funds left over to be allocated to high hampered and the Disability Federation for those in wheelchairs. With this Society, where he was awarded end users”, Ms. O’Grady said. “This of Ireland has warned that without loss of funding, such plans could be an Honorary Fellowship. means that unlike before, when any continued government investment, jeopardised. Although the Minister By Kate O’Regan additional funds are made available, we many vital services could be gradually for Education stressed that funds can ensure that high-end user assistance eroded. would be redistributed in order to be is prioritised.” “Services to disabled people and put to the best use possible. He stated FEES Upon being asked how many cases their families were decimated in the that the government would continue allocated funding to students who later 1980s during the last recession, and its commitment to providing the best did not require them, the disability offi ce there is every possibility that the same level of support for all students with PRESIDENTS IN The Pav is inaccessible, though plans to redevelop the building are in place. was clear that this year it would be spent will happen again,” said the federation’s disabilities. FAVOUR OF FEES DESPITE THE combined efforts of student unions around the country to force Legal cases from students and staff hit UCD the government into retracting planned hikes in registration and tuition fees, several heads By Aine Pennello threat of a High Court appeal. to promote Dr. Casey last year, stating Mr. Claffey reported that he and of Irish Universities have “If the university refuses to accept that Dr. Casey’s employment status his friend were surrounded by up to come out in favour of the its obligations, there is no way in the was an issue of employee-employer twelve members of Pulse Security, four reintroduction of fees. THIS WEEK has seen UCD threatened wide world that the IFUT will let them confi dentiality. of which restrained them as they were According to the leaders of with High Court action over their failure get away with that”. There was further controversy repeatedly punched and kicked. Irish Universities and ITs, the to promote a member of staff following a Speaking of the potential relating to Pulse Security who operate Mr. Claffey reported bruising to his only possibility of navigating Labour Court ruling. College authorities repercussions for UCD if the Labour on the UCD campus, with two fi rst year chest while Mr. Hillick claims he was through the current fi nancial have also come under fi re for reportedly Court’s recommendation remains students intending to make formal punched in the face as he attempted to crisis is for students to be aggressive behaviour by Pulse Security unheeded or worse rejected, Dr. Casey complaints to the Gardaí against alleviate the situation. responsible for a portion of staff. explained, “It would effectively be members of Pulse Security on the Manager of the Student Club, Declan their tuition fees. University College Dublin has been a rejection of the entire industrial grounds of assault. Hyland, stated that the club had not Prof Ferdinand Von threatened with High Court action by the relations machinery by a body that is in Gavin Hillick and Sean Claffey required Pulse Security intervention in Prondzynski, President of DCU, Irish Federation of University Teachers receipt of public funding”. purport the incident occurred as they any incident on the evening in question. has said he would favour the (IFUT) if Senior Lecturer of Philosophy, However Mr. Jennings and Dr. Casey were leaving the Student Bar at 8.30 pm Mr. Hyland declined to comment reintroduction of fees. Dr. Ger Casey, is not promoted to the are hopeful that such action will not on February 2nd. further as he reported the incident is Prof Von Prondzynski was role of Associate Professor. prove necessary. Speaking to UCD’s University now in the hands of the Gardaí, however joined by President of UCC Dr The Labour Court, which Dr. Casey, who initially applied for Observer Mr. Claffey claimed, “I was in he did say he would be willing to present Michael Murphy in calling for recommended the promotion, ruled the promotion in July 2006, believes a bit of a fi ght outside the bar. I went security video footage to the Gardaí if the return of fees. Dr Murphy that UCD had acted wrongfully by not the case has acted as a “magnet” as back in to get my coat to leave, but requested to do so. claims that the reintroduction promoting Dr. Casey on 8th December he has received confi dences from when I came out, two security guards Over 100 complaints have been of fees will be necessary to 2008. UCD is yet to announce their several colleagues who also felt grabbed me and started pushing me lodged against Pulse Security since the maintain a diverse source of acceptance of the Labour Court’s “bizarrely treated” in their promotion Two students intend to complain and dragging me all around the place. fi rm’s installation in UCD in September income for universities, and to recommendation. applications. against Pulse Security after an Gav [Mr. Hillick] came out after me and 2008, with one of the latest concerning ensure their continued success. Mike Jennings, General Secretary A spokesperson for UCD declined incident at the Student Bar, above. then loads of other security arrived and the ordered halt of a homosexual couple By Kate O’Regan of IFUT, stands fi rm in the federation’s to comment on the university’s failure Photo: Neil Dorgan jumped on him as well.” kissing earlier this month. TRINITY NEWS 6 INTERNATIONAL NEWS February 24, 2009 Fatal shot kills college student

By Jennifer Doyle neighbours to hide in their basement for safety. was placed in a state of emergency after Staff Writer Local police were forced to call in State police police alerted campus authorities to the when Briggs refused to come down. Houses situation. The E-2 Campus System was ON SUNDAY February 14, Pennsylvania State were evacuated and a three hour stand- activated to advise students of the seriousness Police shot dead twenty-two year old Joseph off began with Briggs fi ring approximately of the situation. Students living on campus Frederick Briggs, from Dickerson, Maryland. fi fty nine rounds of ammunition during it. were telephoned and asked to remain in situ Briggs, a student at Seton Hill University in According to a neighbour, Mark Conte, ‘All whilst the campus was put into lock-down. Greenburg, was involved in a three hour throughout the night there were shots going In the wake of the shooting, Seton Hill has stand-off with State Police. The incident off’. offered counselling to its students and the occurred in the early hours of the morning Matters came to a head at approximately surrounding community. after Briggs returned home from a night 7 a.m. when Briggs began fi ring out of his Since the incident, police have been out. He and a roommate had been drinking apartment window with a long barrelled searching Briggs’ computer and phone Global Global Campus heavily at the Filly Coral strip club in nearby weapon, thought to be a rifl e. At that point records in the hope that they will provide Smithson. Upon returning to his apartment a State Trooper took the opportunity to fi re clues as to why the stand-off occurred. It on Concord Avenue, just three blocks from at Briggs, resulting in the death of the young is suspected that he was having trouble the University, he began threatening to hurt student. The State Trooper involved has been in an on-again, off-again relationship but BERKELEY, USA the others in the apartment, three of his placed on administrative leave, the normal friends have claimed that it was totally out of roommates and a female friend, as well as procedure when an incident like this occurs. character for the Criminal Justice major who, TRINITY STUDENT ABROAD harm himself. Trooper Jean Martin has defended her ironically, had the ambition of becoming a His roommates raised the alarm with colleague saying ‘He was contacted several State Trooper. A friend, Greg Sell, has said IF YOU are interested in spending a year at local police who arrived just before 4 a.m. By times by different people in an attempt to of him that ‘if you needed something, he was the University Of California Berkeley (UCB) be this stage, the roommates had escaped to the bring this situation to a close in a peaceful a person you could call on.’ Police are also prepared to work hard. Having fi nished the street with one gun they had taken off Briggs, manner.’ looking at Brigg’s involvement in the Students Scholarship exams in my second year at Trinity leaving him with two other weapons. Briggs The incident has shaken the small for Concealed Carry on Campus campaign, a I popped open the bottle of champagne in the became increasingly erratic once police University of Seton Hill. Originally a women’s movement which is seeking to allow students blissfully ignorant belief that never again would arrived, fi ring shots out of his windows and Catholic liberal arts college, the now Co-Ed. who legally own fi rearms to carry them onto I put myself through such an intense period hitting neighbouring houses, causing some University, of approximately 2000 students, Briggs’ Facebook shows him with a rifl e campus grounds. of academic work. I was wrong. Compared to Trinity’s three eight-week terms, Berkeley boasts two eighteen week terms with one month off for Christmas. The school year starts mid-way through August and ends in May. With a major such as mine - English Literature which involves a great deal of reading - one can expect to work on average for about seven to ten hours a day and this number only increases during exam period. Student Hitting the sixteen week mark with three fi nals ahead of you and a lack of UV rays from extended periods in the library is going to be hard under any circumstances. Now put yourself on the other side of the world, away from your family, away from your friends, in an unfamiliar culture and city and tell me if you are still interested in applying? ‘art’ costs You are? Good. If you approach the academics as a good challenge then it only goes uphill from there. You may have to work extremely hard, but everyone is in the same boat. You can despair together, study together, help and support each other. And of course when all the exams are over, hit the bottle together. I am fortunate enough to Uni €9800 be in the privileged position of loving my fi eld of study, and as the American system allows you to hand pick your classes from a delicious array By Martin McKenna I think art should be free, challenging of options - you are literally spoilt for choice. The and should ask questions, but that fi lm courses are broken down into two categories – made me very angry”. It was, apparently, lectures and seminars. Whilst lectures tend to be KONSTFACK, SWEDEN’S largest and NUG’s “unbelievable nonchalance” much larger classes in auditoriums, seminars are most prestigious art college, has been which provoked her most. far more exclusive with more particular themes reported to the police and invoiced The curator, Andreas Brändström, and emphasis on discussion and participation. 100,000 Swedish crowns (€9,300) by defended the artwork, saying “If one If Balzac’s Père Goriot, Dostoevsky’s Crime and Storstockholms Lokaltrafi k (SL), the attempts to disregard the vandalism Konstfack - complaint. Stockholm’s Liljeholm bridge and acted Punishment and Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway body which runs the public transport and look up, then this can instead create Student’s Head of the Department of Art at confused and desperate. She threw whet your appetite then a lecture entitled ‘The system in the capital city, for damage debate and dialogue”. Brändström’s controversial Konstfack, Olof Glemme, said that clothes in the water which several eye- European Novel’ might be worth pursuing. If on caused to a train carriage by a student’s exchange with the Minister was projects have according to Konstfack’s new ethical witnesses understood as an intention to the other hand yours in a more medieval palette fi nal project. also reported in newspapers, with caused many guidelines, they cannot support that take her own life. When police arrived fi ctions from Virgil’s Aeneid to Dante’s Inferno The project is the second in as Brändström alleging that the Minister people to which is illegal. “Those rules were made she initially refused to be removed are more to your taste then the lecture ‘Before many months to cause problems for became “angrier and angrier” when he criticise the clear in the beginning of the autumn but after some time they succeeded in Chaucer’ is a better option. The seminars are the college. In January, a student was suggested that NUG could be an artistic University. and this work was one reason we taking her to the psychiatric ward of St. more adventurous, creating strange mixtures of hospitalised during a feigned psychiatric role model for other graffi ti artists. Photo: Johan developed them”. Glemme confi rmed Göran’s hospital, where she was forcibly topics and themes.‘Post-War American Literature attack as part of her fi nal project. Minister Adelsohn Liljeroth Fogde that the work was graded and passed medicated. and the Problem of Evil’ combines text and fi lm Part of the public transport project acknowledged that there is graffi ti that this spring. “But with the rules we have According to the senior physician, and answers Patrick Bateman’s (the narrator of consists of a two-minute long video can be “cool and exciting, but in that now, if one accepts that an illegal act has Odell was very aggressive and tried to Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho) question “Is entitled “Territorial Pissing” in which case there is a request where agreement taken place in this work, then I don’t see bite the staff and hit out several times. evil something you do or something you are?” a man dressed in black and wearing a has been reached. One can’t just do it. that it could [pass]”. When she explained the following One of my courses this semester is taught by mask spray-paints his name on (tags) the But among graffi ti artists, it’s supposed However, he would not comment on morning that she was merely acting, Bharati Mukherjee -an award-winning Indian born inside of a train carriage. The man then to be inaccessible, that’s part of it”. the appropriateness of SL’s 100,000 as part of her degree project, she was American writer who has written numerous novels smashes a window in the carriage and On Sunday, February 15, SL reported crowns bill. “Our lawyer will look at discharged from hospital. On January and short stories including Jasmine and The continues ‘tagging’ while passengers the case to the police and billed that, because it depends on what has 26, Fredrik Bengtsson, a department Middle Man. On my fi ve minute walk to class every exit the carriage. The man in the video Konstfack. SL’s chairman, Christer G happened that is illegal. I don’t know head at the hospital, reported Odell to morning, I pass the parking space reserved for ‘NL is NUG, a former student at Konstfack Wennerholm, said that “for us, this is how much is shown in this work”. police. only’ (Nobel Laureates Only – of which Berkeley who graduated in the spring of 2008. completely unacceptable because in no Regarding the school’s liability and the Further, on January 30, Bengtsson have twenty-four)! Drama teachers boast of having The video was being exhibited at an way have we made the carriage available. student’s liability, who will pay what is lodged a complaint against Konstfack taught Al Pacino how to act and league tables art fair called Market until February This is simply an attack and vandalism also a matter for the lawyer, he said. with The Parliamentary Ombudsmen, place Berkeley as second in the world for Arts and 14, when the exhibit was removed by of our stock and above all harassment On Saturday, February 14, the tv who investigate complaints that certain Humanities. the artist. He wrote in a programme of our passengers.” He continued, “The showing the video was switched off and public bodies have acted in breach of Academia aside, the other aspects of life at accompanying the artwork that “My leadership at Konstfack have an ethical the area around it taped off. Curator their regulations. ‘Cal’ as Berkeley is affectionately known, are ambition is to get across my personal and moral responsibility and so does the Andreas Brändström said “The artist “I am doing this as a private person numerous. Berkeley takes its sport seriously. More experiences of, and relationship to, student.” thought too much was being written because I think it is an enormous insult importantly, it takes its women’s sport seriously. graffi ti to new media and environments SL is also demanding an apology about it and it felt diffi cult. He didn’t to the staff and police who intervened in There are successful women’s teams in all major without loosing the energy in traditional from Konstfack, which is primarily want to show the fi lm any more and we what they thought was a seriously sick sports and funding and fi eld space is equally graffi ti bombing”, and that “it is nice to due to the fact that passengers feel said ok. We support the artist in this person”. designated to male and female teams. I joined piss, and it is necessary everywhere”. “insulted”. “Passengers should not have situation.” In an article in the daily newspaper the Cal Women’s Lacrosse team and despite The video came to attention when to deal with graffi ti artists who disturb In a separate incident, on January Dagens Nyheter on February 8, several the hard training six days a week, I have had the the Minister for Culture, Lena Adelsohn their journey”, said Wennerholm. “It’s 26, another student, Anna Odell, was staff of Konstfack, including Olof opportunity to travel all around California with a Liljeroth, saw the video on Friday not much fun to go out on an ordinary admitted to hospital and forcibly sedated Glemme, wrote that the media’s picture wonderful squad of girls and receive fi rst-class February 13 and told newspapers that “I journey and then someone comes in while she pretended to be suicidal and of the incident was “one-sided” and that coaching. Fall Semester consists of a weekly became unbelievably upset. Because of and destroys the carriage”. However, suffering from a psychiatric episode as Konstfack would continue to support hype over whether or not the Berkeley American graffi ti moving into a gallery like this … as far as Wennerholm knows, no part of her fi nal project for the college. Odell until the work was fi nished, Football team – the ‘California Golden Bears’ will I regard graffi ti as vandalism. Of course insulted passengers have so far made a During the incident, Odell stood on expected in May. do their university proud and the lead up to ‘The Big Game’ (versus Stanford) where the opposing team color - red - is offi cially banned and all students congregate in the 80,000 seat stadium can turn the most unpatriotic Cal student into a staunch fan. ‘Frat Row’ pulls all the stops out and bouncy castles, water slides and barbecues line the road with Bob Marley playing at full volume. Geronimo ‘imprisoned’ at Yale For those of you less inclined to sports, a twenty minute train ride will land you in the centre of San By Monika Urbanski Alumni Magazine and reads: “The skull of Francisco. An average day might include browsing Staff Writer the worthy Geronimo the Terrible, exhumed in ‘City Lights’, a landmark independent bookstore from its tomb at Fort Sill by your club… is now founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, THE DESCENDANTS of the Apache sage inside the tomb (“tomb” is the building taking a walk along Crissy Fields – the beach Geronimo, a warrior chieftain whose remains at Yale University’s Skull and Bones) and that overlooks Golden Gate Bridge, a visit to the are rumoured to be held inside Yale’s oldest bone together with his well worn femurs, bit infamous prison Alcatraz or wandering through society known as the Order of the Skull & and saddle horn”. The notion that Geronimo’s China Town eating dim-sum and fortune cookies. Bones, fi led a lawsuit last Tuesday demanding remains might be “above ground” has been a There are leather-fetish/bondage fairs (Folsom the return of their ancestor’s skull. “I believe continuing source of anguish for the warrior’s Street Fair) and ‘Love-fest’ celebrates all forms of strongly from my heart that his spirit was descendants, but the rumours have never love from all over the world. Weekend exploring never released,” Geronimo’s grandson Harlyn been authoritatively confi rmed or debunked. a little farther afi eld into the enormous state of Geronimo said in a press conference the same Experts remain split on whether the grave California could take you to the ski-slopes of Lake day. “Presently, he’s still imprisoned. The only robbery ever took place, while 19 descendants Tahoe, a wine-tasting weekend in Nappa Valley or way to put this into closure is to relieve the of Geronimo are now suing Skull and Bones, the beach in San Diego. remains and his spirit so that he can be taken president Barack Obama, both George H. and Am I happy that I took the plunge and spent my to his homeland”. George W. Bush, the secretary of defence, and third year in Berkeley California? Without a doubt, One hundred years ago, Geronimo, The bones of Geronimo, far right, were allegedly stolen by Yale’s oldest secret society Yale University for the return of the remains. yes. The experiences I have had out here and the whose name is now a familiar battle cry, But Fort Sill’s historians insist the grave has friends I have made will last a lifetime. When I sit died of pneumonia in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. American Graves Protection and Repatriation inspiration for speculation and imagination. not been disturbed and don’t want the grave reading my book in Strada Café in Berkeley at the According to the Yale Daily News Harlyn Act, the complaint argues. The alleged graverobbing is a longstanding “desecrated” in an attempt to fi nd out. On the top of the hill, I have the sun on my face, an iced Geronimo said his family believes Skull and Skull and Bones is a secret society legend that gained some validity in recent contrary, Jeff Houser, chairman of the Fort café Latte in my hand and I can see the Golden Bones members took some of the remains in based at Yale University, in New Haven years with the discovery of a letter from a Still Apache Tribe, doesn’t think that Harlyn Gate Bridge and the Bay. It doesn’t get much 1918 from a burial plot in Fort Sill, to keep Connecticut. In conversation, the group is club member that described the theft. Geronimo is going about this correctly. “If his better than that. in its New Haven clubhouse. The family is known as “Bones”, and members have been Yale historian, Marc Walter, discovered goal is to get the remains, he can fi le a claim Lexi Finnigan legally entitled to ownership of Geronimo’s known as “Bonesmen”. It is the oldest and by the letter in 2006 while researching a book with the federal government. If his goal is to remains and any funerary objects buried with far the most determinedly secretive of Yale’s about pioneering World War I aviators from also gain attention, he can fi le a lawsuit on the him under the provisions of the 1990 Native secret societies. As such, it has long been an Yale. The letter was published in the Yale 100tth anniversary of Geronimo’s death”. TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 NEWS FEATURE 7 Rooms on campus: the chosen ones Visiting student from the US, Anne Marie Walker offers her perspective on the issue of how campus accommoda- tion is allocated, and examines the criteria that the aver- age student must meet to acquire rooms.

HEN ONE fi rst you’re not getting a room on campus. opens the door to This is unfortunate if you have to take their new apartment public transportation from Trinity Hall in Goldsmith Hall, to get to your 9am lecture or tutorial. But the fi rst thing that it is also good in that it provides almost greetsW you is a long, dingy corridor with guaranteed housing for international white cinderblock walls and grey doors. students. The criteria also explains why Goldsmith Hall, while not the newest of there are so few Irish students living on the residences on campus, looks one of campus: most of them are either from the oldest, with a grey, unornamented Dublin or are capable of getting trans- exterior and rooms with grey desks that portation back home every weekend. snake around half of the room, grey Now what about the international shelves, grey cabinet doors, and de- students, the clueless ones who on our pending on what side of the hall you’re fi rst day ask where the Accommodation on, either a twin bed or a single. It’s not Offi ce is or the Laundry room? Our the most convenient of apartments, ordeal begins online when we’re with an elevated, enclosed walkway scrounging around for information on acting as an umbilical cord connecting the Accommodation website compar- the Sports Centre and the residence, ing prices and rooms based on those and a ten minute walk to Front Square. tiny, grainy pictures. Then there is the Despite these drawbacks the residents actual application process. Students, are grateful for having procured a spot regardless of whether they get a room at all because of the limited space on or not, have to pay a €15 fee that is non- campus. It’s also necessary to point out refundable. This may not seem like a that most of the students at Goldsmith lot, but for non-EU students who have are international—mostly Americans to pay more than $31,000 just to at- and Canadians, it would seem. Which tend for an academic year, it is a bitter begs several questions; why are there so pill to swallow if they don’t get a room. few spaces on campus, what are the cri- They also have to pay a €250 deposit teria for allocating a room in residences within twenty-one days once they are and where do the Irish students live? granted a room or risk losing it. Then First the basics: the Registrar of there is also the price of residences; the Chambers has a set criteria listed on cheapest are the standard rooms, with its website for the allocation of rooms: no central heating, which average at around €1,600—including utilities and rent—and the most expensive are the Most of the rooms modern rooms in Front Square, Botany Bay, GMB and Goldsmith Hall which are have four occupants around €2,000, but with central heat- ing. But these rates are not fi xed, and yet some are equipped tend to vary depending on what type of with a full length room you have and either increase or decrease in price throughout the year. refrigerator while others At long last we fi nally fi nd our rooms only have a mini-fridge. and begin the arduous process of un- packing, buying cutlery, duvets, trying to fi gure out how the hob operates. And what do international students think of student with entitlements (such as accommodation? I think the best an- Residences of Scholars), preference to students from swer to this question lies in Goldsmith Trinity College: outside of Dublin, a student must show Hall, the most isolated of the residenc- Above, Gold- a signifi cant contribution to college life, es. Students who live in Goldsmith are smith Hall. Left: and fi nally the remaining rooms will be for the most part, satisfi ed. The only The Graduate allocated to create a vibrant and diverse real problems they have are with the Memorial Build- atmosphere. The Registrar also caters system of the Accommodation Offi ce ing. Photos by to students with special needs, and re- and with the unequal distribution of Martin McKenna wards rooms to societies that win the the quality of the apartments. One in- and Rachel Ken- annual CSC awards. In addition, the col- ternational student noted that while nedy lege accepts nominations of a particular the fl oor beneath them has a nice set of individual from a club or society. Irish leather furniture, her apartment con- she could not get one unless it was for a be quite different. Unlike in Trinity, fi rst like most of southern California, you speakers who want to live in a com- tained cheap-looking, uncomfortable medical need. Then one day one of the years in the States generally move into have to drive to fi nd a good place to eat. munity in which they can hone their furniture, and a couch that is too small maintenance crew stopped by and when on campus housing and at UCR, they are So each residence hall or apartment language also get preference. Another for an overnight guest. Also, most of the she inquired him about a new fridge, guaranteed two years of housing if they either has a cafeteria or a convenience component of Trinity accommodation rooms have four occupants yet some are the man was kind enough to have one stay in residences for the entire academ- store, and the food is comparable to The is Trinity Hall, which is the only accom- equipped with a full length refrigerator installed in, and a new stove since the ic year and meet their housing deadline Buttery. Housing also accepts applica- modation fi rst year undergraduates can while others only have a mini-fridge. “It old one was broken. – i.e. move out on time. Residence Halls, tions for the apartments year round apply to and gives preference to post- just bothers me that we’re all paying the Another issue with residences is that not counting on-campus apartments, and although has deadlines for the resi- graduates. Those students continuing same amount of money yet some people despite Accommodation’s goal of creat- serve over 3,000 students and 75% of dence halls, they can be fl exible with on in college have a four week window in get better stuff,” she said. Another point ing a “diverse and vibrant community,” fi rst years live on campus. Third and this. According to UCR, “National stud- February to apply for on-campus hous- of contention is that one evidently has students don’t feel that is the case. One fourth years can apply to residence halls ies show that resident students perform ing, while overseas students apply once to know the right people in order to student from the States recalls how but fi rst years are usually given prefer- better academically, have more contact they have been accepted into a course. get replacement furniture. The afore- fi rst year undergraduates are practi- ence. Besides, as a fourth year, would with faculty, and are generally happier… So what does all of this mean? mentioned student noted that she once cally required to spend their fi rst year you want to live with a bunch of fresh- than those who live off campus or com- Basically if you’re not part of a society, called to request a larger refrigerator on campus and are placed in halls with men? On-campus apartments usually mute.” Although no system is perfect, don’t speak Irish, are a fi rst year, and because the mini-fridge was not ad- certain themes which evoke a sense of there are defi nite advantages to living if you live in Dublin then chances are equate for four people; she was told that pride in living in residences. For ex- on campus and dividing the residences ample, one hall would have a Disney National studies among a more diverse group of people. theme with hand-drawn paper cut-outs Accommodation has tried bringing GMB RESIDENTS: A STRAW POLL of Disney characters, or even “Family show that resident in students from the same residences Guy” characters, or whatever the most together before. Towards the end THE GMB has long been a residence for popular movie of that season happens students perform of Michaelmas term, I received an students, but how well does it adhere to the to be. In each hall there are older stu- better academically, email inviting all of the residences of criteria that has been outlined for allocation dents living who have been designated Goldsmith Hall to “greet-and-eat” din- of rooms in this illustrious building? Indeed, RAs (Resident Assistants), who helps in have more contact ner at the downstairs lounge to become the types of students living there seem to fi t the transition into college life and also with faculty, and are acquainted with our fellow residences. within the parameters and fall into several organises events for his/her hall to par- There was plenty of food and drink but groups. Research from a straw poll shows that ticipate in. generally happier only thirty people arrived and the atmo- those living there can be divided into three “One time our RA took us to a jazz sphere was less than stimulating. Now, categories: the scholars, fourth year students, club,” says this student. “It was great; have bigger rooms than the dorms, and the sentiment is right but this gathering those particularly involved in societies and in we had a lot of fun.” The result was a are more for upper-classmen and in- occurred far too late in the term to have a college life, and those students who are from sense of enthusiasm for being a part ternational students, although foreign real impact. To be fair, Accommodation outside Dublin. Students on one particular of the hall and it also provided a great students can and do live in the dorms. has limited space to work with; what fl oor of the GMB are mostly scholars, with the opportunity to meet other people not There is even a place called Transfer may seem large for Trinity is puny in exception of a fourth year student and one only from your hall but other ones. The Hall for the international students lo- California. And also given the fact that who has been active in college life since fi rst opposite is true at Goldsmith: “Here,” cated in one of the dorms but these are students are relatively happy here, it year. Although this seems to be acceptable, the student says, “there seems to be no not “ghettoized” as you are still living could be nonetheless better. Trinity one wonders how selective the process for sense of community.” in the same building as local students. could take a page from UCR and make acquiring rooms is, as it is widely known Based on these anecdotes, it seems Transfer students can also apply to the new students feel welcome in their there are students who are fully contributing that Trinity’s accommodation system International Village which is just a 15 residences and even place international members of the college and from abroad are is vastly different from America’s. To minute walk from campus and house students together with students of a na- frequently put on waiting lists and are forced use another university in the US as an both international and local students. tionality different from their own. There to seek other places to live. example, the University of California, With so many students living on is a desire—among all students—to meet Riverside, which is located 80 kilome- campus, Housing has to provide a way and connect with people from different tres east of LA, the situation proves to to feed them all, and in Riverside, just backgrounds—even for a moment. TRINITY NEWS 8 FEATURES February 24, 2009 And the prize for bad sex goes to... PREVIOUS WINNERS

» 2005 Winkler by Giles Coren For fi fteen years the Literary Review has been (Jonathan Cape) » 2004 I am Charlotte Simmons awarding novelists for “bad sex” in literature by Tom Wolfe (Jonathan to “discourage tasteless passages of sexual de- Cape) » 2003 Bunker 13 by Aniruddha scription”. Don’t compete, says Charlie Baker Bahal (Faber & Faber)

IN THESE worsening times it is likely Rachel Johnson, sister to the Mayor » 2002 Tread Softly by Wendy that a number of you avoided the banal of London, won in 2008 with this Perriam (Peter Owen) take-your-loved/desired-one out to clunking slice of characterization from dinner option and opted for a more her Sloane-Ranger pastiche Shire Hell , » 2001 Rescue Me by Christo- traditional St Valentine’s gift – few lines ”I make a grab, to put him, now pher Hart (Faber & Faber) of poetry along the old “Roses are Red” angrily slapping against both our bellies, line or maybe something a bit more inside, but he holds both by arms down, » 2000 Kissing England by Sean complex. and puts his tongue to my core, like a cat Thomas (Flamingo) Now in the likely situation that you lapping up a dish of cream so as not to are nursing a black eye and are eating miss a single drop” » 1999 Starcrossed by AA Gill baked beans out of the tin in your lonely In comparison to competitors (Doubleday) fl at after your loved/desired one told you from previous years, this is tame stuff. exactly where to go, you should have Norman Mailer won posthumously » 1998 Charlotte Gray by Sebas- been aware of the precedent in writing in 2007 for “A Castle in The Forest”, tian Faulks (Hutchinson) erotic poetry. where he memorably describes Adolf Indeed you should have consulted Hitler’s conception, likening Hitler the Literary Review, a British magazine Sr’s lessening gland to “a coil of belly held itself aloft in a moment of The fi g, the fanny, the cranny, the quim woman that has since 1993 awarded a prize excrement”. stillness as the fl ame quivered, perfectly - I’d come close to it now, this sudden “Her vagina was all that, as they say to the writer who produces the worst Repulsion aside, it is more often bright. I held my breath. In the explosion blush, this ancient avenue, the end of all in the urban media - a powerful ethnic description of sex in an otherwise sound purple prose and mixed metaphors I lost sight of myself. I was a million odysseys and epic aim of life, pulling at muscle scented by bitter melon, the novel, with the given rationale “to draw that piques the judges i n t e r e s t , brilliant fragments, the darkness of my prick now, pulling like a lodestone.” breezes of the local sea, and the sweaty attention to the crude, tasteless, often with this clichéd shocker my belly alive with stars. When at last Such verbosity is hard to match, yet needs of a tiny nation trying to breed perfunctory use of redundant passages from Clare Clarke’s “Nature I opened my eyes to look at him, my Julia Glass makes a fi st of it in a “Whole itself into a future. Was it especially of sexual description in the modern of Monsters coming lashes shone with tears. He raised a World Over”, portraying a hyper- novel and to discourage it”. a close second fi nger to his lips and smiled” intellectual climax With past winners including in 2007 Pretension is another big hitter, and “And then before her inner eye, a Sebastian Faulks, Salman Rushdie and “ M y every year there is at least one entry on tide of words leaped high and free, a “Past winners include John Updike (lifetime achievement t o e s the longlist swimming in its own sea of chaotic joy like frothing rapids: truncate, Sebastian Faulks, award – 2008), it has a certain c l e n c h e d ridicule adjudicate, fornicate, frivolous, rivulet, undesirable cachet, with only a few in my boots “O glorious pubes! The ultimate violet, oriole, orifi ce, conifer, aquifer, Salman Rushdie and brave writers actually turning up to the and my triangle, whose angles delve to hell allegiance, alacrity ... all the words this award show, held at the appropriately but point to paradise. Let me sing the time not a crowding but a heavenly John Updike; it has named In and Out Club in St James black banner, the blackbird’s wing, the chain, an ostrich fan, a vision as much a certain undesirable Square. chink, the cleft, the keyhole in the door. as an orgasm, a release of something deep in the core cachet. Repulsion of her altered aside, it is more often SHORTLISTED: ‘THE BOOK OF DAVE’ BY WILL SELF SHORTLISTED: ‘THE WHOLE WORLD OVER’ BY JULIA GLASS brain, words she thought she’d lost purple prose and mixed DAVE AND Phyl were having sex ‘You on the pill, luv?’, took her ‘YOU’RE A sexy lady, know that?’ that he was taking a condom out of for good.” in her cottage outside Chipping silence for acquiescence, then Stan whispered as he unzipped a drawer in the table that held the F r o t h i n g metaphors that piques Ongar. approached Michelle as he would her pants. She had no answer; she books and the phone. rapids indeed. But the judges interest. Their sex was conducted right call over a run: leave on left tit, kept her eyes closed and sank into She closed her eyes again and it is in the arena there on the living-room fl oor, comply throat, comply mouth, left the music. let herself sink further down, or of the surreal Every year there is at assisted by cushions grabbed from shoulder, forward cunt... junctions His naked penis, when she felt it come more fully to the surface, she that many of the least one entry on the chairs and the sofa. Through her of her body were well signed, and against her bare skin, was a shock, wasn’t sure which. ... most memorable haze Michelle was pleased that Dave his knowledge was suffi cient to mostly for the desire it beckoned And then before her inner eye, a passages can longlist swimming in its wasn’t repellent, although since it hold her. Yet in the friction of their from Saga’s marrow. tide of words leaped high and free, be found. Gary wasn’t him who she was fucking, fi nal lunge there was an anticipation ‘So touch me, Story Girl,’ he a chaotic joy like frothing rapids: S h t e n g a r t ’ s own sea of ridicule.” but the other she was fucking over, of more than arrival. Their jerking said. Still she said nothing and kept truncate, adjudicate, fornicate, friv- a p p r o p r i a t e l y it hardly mattered. With him there bodies prefi gured the bondage her eyes closed. She felt Stan’s pu- olous, rivulet, violet, oriole, orifi ce, n a m e d hairy? Good Lord, yes it was.” was no need to worry about any of shackled partners. They both bic hair, like a prickly sea creature, conifer, aquifer, allegiance, alacrity ... “ A b s u r d i s t a n” Having run the gamut of absurdity, uncalled-for embryo - he’s had sensed this and struggled to avoid move in circles on her thigh. all the words this time not a crowd- depicting a we can see that writing about sex is the ‘snip-snip’ - and so for vital it - backpeddalling into the present. Then, another shock, she felt his ing but a heavenly chain, an ostrich sexual encounter a tricky business, even to celebrated moments, as she gagged on the Dave came in desperation ... While fi ngers. ... fan, a vision as much as an orgasm, between a authors. cabbie’s shoulder, Michelle forgot the mere cessation of bucking was When he raised himself slightly a release of something deep in the m a n n e r e d So in the future it would be perhaps who it was who was bearing down Michelle’s end. away from her again, she opened core of her altered brain, words she pensioner and a wise to stick to fl owers and a table for on her. As for Dave, he muttered, her eyes only long enough to see thought she’d lost for good. morbidly obese two instead of running the risk of ending African American up in this competition. A student, 21, life will never be as fun...

rightly, encouraging each other to just might even want to be taken seriously. the missing key to eternal happiness? people? The ones who browse Wiki How How far can we justify our behaviour in the do it. Whatever ‘it’ may be I always Let’s all dye our hair a pastelly lilac This sounds more like a forfeit from a To pages? It makes good reading, you urge friends to persistently follow colour and shave the top section whilst rubbish Christmas board game. I’m not should look it up. And this was the Elle name of being a young, carefree student? Nike’s proverbial paradigm. Text him. we have the chance. I tried the whole sure that being 21 justifi es doing that. writer’s point - at 21 we’re supposedly Audition. Book the fl ights. Join the shaving head thing using exactly the Other essential advice reads, “Start not brave but riddled with insecurities, All the way says Emily Monk, be brave and do club. ‘we’re in college, it’s our last chance’ feeling comfortable doing new things unable to make the most of unending Perhaps this archetypal student is now-prosaic justifi cation, and, weirdly – like talking to a ‘cool person’. You’re opportunity. Wrong. everything; this may be your last chance. more of a non-existent entity that we enough, during the hedgehog-regrowth cool too.” Wow. I didn’t know But there is an issue concerning what convince ourselves is real. A fantasy, period it wasn’t as fun as I’d hoped, but it I could feel happy just level we should limit our actions.When THERE WAS an article in Elle magazine totally allowed; after all, you’re only projected to us from fi lms and stories doesn’t matter. At least in a few years I’ll b y talking to a is being 21 and a student no longer a recently where the author crowned her 21. It broadens the mind, experience, from our parents. We urge ourselves look back nostalgically while hampered ‘ c o o l ’ person. Who suffi cient excuse? Hardly ever. Almost thirties far more enjoyable than her imagination, social network, musical to out-crazy fi ctional or at least with an offi ce-etiquette bun. are the cool anything that doesn’t have adverse twenty-something student days. She appreciation(?). incomparable characters – The Rolling In a search for information about effects on other people is probably clearly didn’t do it right. We can let our rooms resemble Stones, Bob Dylan, Clark Kent – as a mitigating our otherwise abnormal fi ne. So... Write an essay opposing Like many, I’ve recently adopted Gaza, buy clothes from Penneys, leave behaviour I lurched magnetically your lecturer. Go to break dancing the ‘Be brave! In lectures, love, war, the washing up until the morning, wear towards an article called ‘How to be classes. Cut holes in the crotch of life. You’re only 20/21/22 once. Go for rolled-up jumpsuits, pierce anything, “Elizabeth Bennett brave.’ Who writes these things? your jeans. Spontaneously turn up it’ slightly irritating attitude. I had fall in love every weekend; all guilt- Who feels adequately qualifi ed to at the airport and board a fl ight to previously cornered these type of free in the name of being 21. We’re didn’t get to live in offer such indispensible advice? It Madagascar. Read War and Peace in cliched mentalities alongside my lack students; paragons of the laid back, reads like an instruction manual - one go. Write a dubious, pointless of desire to join the gym, not writing wild, partying, uber-chilled twenty- Pemberley by staying fi ve authoritative steps are listed feature for the Trinity News. regularly to my grandparents and something demographic. home and knitting. If and I’m suddenly overcome Whatever . cutting back on buying clothes. So But can I send a text message to by a worrying sense of I just think it’s ok, we accept we must be brave, and an ex-boyfriend asking for random she had, she’d still be self-doubt. Really?Is important to try new things, and make new friends casual one-night sex? After all, its only listening to the delights “Jogging like a remember that etc. to broaden life’s experiences, but sex. We’re in college , it’s what college fool around your you can get how far can we use our age and lack of people do. Are we allowed to walk of Mr Collins” area with a big away with a responsibility to justify our newfound up to a random girl in a bar, whisper grin plastered lot by being behaviour that embraces student life? something, in her ear and then just kiss result we have more fun. Elizabeth on your face, a twenty Pretty far I reckon. her? Should we look up the sexy guy Bennett didn’t get to live in Pemberley f a v o u r i t e one year We can go out a few times a week, with glasses from class on Facebook by staying home and knitting. If she had, music in your old student; miss a couple of lectures, be hung-over and send him fl irty messages?Why the she’d still be listening to the delights of ears and a purple hair on a Wednesday, sleep until midday. hell not? I think we should. It’s fun, Mr Collins. belief in your just doesn’t We can possibly justify smoking ‘if it’s harmless, possibly embarrassing. So Or maybe we feel time is running ability to look so cool just for a couple of years, while I’m still is wearing a slogan t-shirt and loads of out. Within the next few of years we’ll confront a lot at twenty studying… I’ll give up when I leave’. people do that. be burdened with the responsibility of a of situations fi ve. Some decide recreational drug use is Increasingly I think we are, quite job (possibly), rent, the real world - we in life” TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 WORLD REVIEW 9 FOCUS ON POLAND

POLAND, THE MISSILE SHIELD AND OBAMA

By Peter Hession on its capacity to fulfi ll vague notions of Execution forces Poland “effi ciency”. This stance clearly created anxiety on the Polish side. In an eight-country THE STORY of Poland and the anti-ballistic survey last November, Poles polled lowest missile defence system has certainly endured for support of Obama - just under 40 per its fair share of twists and turns since its cent. Tensions heightened last November as inception. Moscow sent out what US media termed a to reconsider Afghan role The original project dates back to 2002 “warning-shot”, namely the threat to respond when the Bush administration fi rst entered to the project by placing Iskander-M missiles into formal talks with Poland and other in Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave between European countries regarding the putative Lithuania and Poland. Nicholas Sarkozy held a ‘shield’, designed to protect Europe from joint press conference with Russian President attacks by ‘rogue states’ such as Iran. The Dmitri Medvedev at which he discouraged then social-democratic Prime Minister Leszek the Iskander-M deployment threat, but made Miller eagerly supported the plan along with his opposition to the sheild unequivocal. In major military involvement in Iraq while both more subtle tones, German Foreign Minister enjoyed broad public backing. Miller’s raft Frank Walter Steinmeier told the Hamberger of successors ranging across the political Tagelbaltt that he expected Obama to enter spectrum – Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Marek into a constructive “dialogue” on the issue Belka, Jarosław Kaczynski, and, despite some with Moscow. electorally motivated reservations, the current At the 45th Munich Security Conference Donald Tusk - all continued to back the missile earlier this month. Tusk reiterated his defence project. continuing support for the programme with a Despite this consensus amongst the tone of veiled frustration and perhaps a little political elite however, the impact of the reverse psychology. “We are a very honest war in Iraq took a catastrophic toll on public partner of the United States, and if we agree support for the missile defence project. A poll to something with the Americans we always published by the daily Gazeta Wyborcza last keep our word” he said, adding that “the July showed that one in three respondents decision, of course, is with the American side”. thought the US had a negative infl uence in Vice-President Joe Biden replied that the US the world and three in four felt that the US continued to support the shield but planned abused its power to subjugate Poland. A mid- to consult with Moscow on the issue. 2008 report by Polish pollster CBOS recorded A recent leak to the London Times a sink in support for the war to below 20 per further clarifi ed the emerging US position cent, while a follow up early last summer on the missile defence issue by placing it showed that over half were against the missile within a broader context of the Obama defence project. administration’s strategy on arms control. The Indirectly, this trend in public opinion eighteen-year–old Strategic Arms Reduction did fi nd its way into political discourse, as Treaty (START) expires this December, and it the missile defence issue was conspicuously has been suggestd that Obama will seek to avoided during the run up to Tusk’s landslide replace it with an ambitious non-proliferation election during November 2007. Amid treaty between the US and Russia aimed to Photo By Wlodi By Michal Bartosik issue between the representatives of the execution Polish Prime Minister popularly supported plans to recall Polish reduce nuclear war-heads by 80 per cent Sczecen the people and those who elected them Donald Tusk assured the media that all troops from Iraq, the project seemed to have to about 1,000 each. In this process, the can only be explained by the lingering possible measures were undertaken by been shelved, despite continuing albeit muted shield will provide a bargaining chip more OLAND’S MILITARY has immaturity of a twenty-year-old available diplomatic services as well as elite support. The Georgia-Russia dispute last than a realistic or preferable alternative in been involved in both the democracy and the resulting mistrust of counter-intelligence in the four-month summer altered this state of affairs fatefully. negotiations with Moscow. The long-term aim Afghani as well as the Iraqi the average Pole towards political elites period. Fault lay with unfortunate The Polish Prime Minister immediately signed is that a broader strategy of disarmament, confl ict since their outsets. so characteristic of communist times. In circumstances: the extremely radical off on the missile defence project on August along with conventional military aid to Poland, As the rearguard of American other words: few people vote and those character of the Taliban group who 14 stating, “We have crossed the Rubicon”. will peacefully neutralise the purported Por British forces it played a rather that do, do not know or do not care what put forward unfeasible demands and To complicate matters further, during threat from Pyongyang and Tehran, through unnoticed if useful role in the military they are voting for. the fact that the area of Pakistan the run-up to his election Barrack Obama’s engagement rather than antagonism. operations. However, the beheading The 133-day-long captivity of where the negotiations were taking position on the issue seemed ambiguous. of Polish geologist Piotr Stanczak the geologist came to a gruesome place is simply not under the control of He publicly criticized the cost and untested Peter Hession is a 4th year History and (pronounced: ‘Pyotr Stanchak’) by conclusion the weekend of 7-8 February Pakistani authorities, thus excluding a technology that lay behind the missile Politics student. He studied last year in Taliban insurgents in north-western when video footage of his beheading military operation. Nevertheless, some defence project, basing future support Warsaw University on an Erasmus exchange. was delivered to Pakistani journalists. Polish commentators see Stanczak’s Being the fi rst case of this kind since the death as exemplifying the weakness of Public opinion is fi rmly infamous beheading of Daniel Pearl in the state. According to this argument The domestic reaction to the beheading the raising of security levels and February 2002 some parallels between Poland simply did not possess the was as anything but hysterical. The the implementation of new security against involvement the two cases can be drawn. Certainly advisors, experts and the know-how to sensationalist as well as the critical media measures around the country. Certainly the futility of both deaths is striking: wage a successful attempt to free Piotr has presented a balanced coverage of a passport bearing a white eagle in Afghanistan. 74 per Pearl, a meticulous reporter who made Stanczak. A frightening thought for the affair. The tabloids (Fakt, Super emblem will weigh a little heavier than cent of respondents his way up from local reporting in every Polish citizen. Express) focused on the tragedy of the it used to when travelling to some parts Massachusetts to become the Wall Street After initial doubts concerning the geologist’s family rather than spurring of the world. On a different note, the to a recent opinion Journal’s South Asia correspondent and originality of the recording Polish any anti-Islamic sentiment or calling war in Afghanistan will surely become poll opposed Poland’s a keen observer of Islam; Stanczak, offi cials acknowledged its authenticity the government to act swiftly in an act less abstract to the Polish public and a geologist sent to north-western and due assertions of outrage of vengeance. The two main dailies possibly the nature of the debate on involvement in the war Pakistan to survey oil and gas fi elds for and determination to capture the - the right-leaning Rzeczpospolita the country’s military engagements will a Krakow-based geophysics company. perpetrators were given to the Polish and centre-left Gazeta Wyborcza change. Pakistan could be a sign that Poland is Another parallel is the certainty with and international media: the newly chose to emphasize different possible In spite of the overwhelming, if not gradually moving towards the forefront which Pakistani offi cials claimed that implications of the affair. The former well-informed, disapproval of sending of what some call the ‘War on Terror’ both men would be kept alive and the concentrated on the failings of the Polish troops overseas the political class and others a struggle for resources suddenness with which the executions The 133-day-long Polish state while the latter attempted to continues to ask ‘how many?’ and ‘when?’ and power in the Middle East. Those befell the concerned American and refute these claims as an attempt to gain and not ‘why?’ and ‘what for?’. What who are in favour of increasing Polish Polish authorities. captivity of the political capital through claiming false surely awaits the Polish government engagement in Afghanistan are slowly Pearl was murdered approximately expertise and undermining government and other European governments that coming to the realisation that it will not a week after he was kidnapped while geologist came to a efforts at a time when unity is needed. have their troops in Afghanistan (i.e. be infi nitely possible to attempt to reap hope that he was alive carried on until gruesome conclusion In contrast to the sombre mood a France, Germany and the Netherlands) economic and political benefi ts from the tape depicting the execution was hugely popular journalistic television is the necessity to change the way they following America’s lead without getting delivered to the American consulate in when footage of his programme ‘Teraz My’ (Now Us) aired legitimize the war to public opinion your hands dirty. This encompasses the Pakistani port city of Karachi about beheading was released on 16 February put forward the question if they want to increase their troop practically the whole political spectrum a month later. Stanczak was kidnapped whether Islam was a threat to Western numbers as President Obama expects. from left to right which makes Poland on 28 September 2008, giving Polish to Pakistani media civilisation preceding the discussion The Polish Defence Ministry points a uniquely pro-war bastion in Europe. authorities almost four and a half months with an evocative collage consisting of out that the 1600 troops Poland has on However, the political elites do not to open up various routes of dialogue – appointed Minister of Justice Andrzej images from the major terrorist attacks Afghan soil are there on a peacekeeping refl ect public opinion, which according both covert and diplomatic. The affair Czuma (pronounced: ‘Anjay Chooma’) of New York, Madrid and London. The mission, which can be compared to to the latest poll by the Centre for stayed out of the media spotlight until caused a minor diplomatic scandal invited panel of experts, made up of a that in Chad or the Golan Heights. The Public Opinion Research from demands and an ultimatum from the when proclaiming that some Pakistani feminist, a right-wing publicist and a struggle in Afghanistan has become an September 2008, is strongly against kidnappers emerged in February. At fi rst offi cials were sympathetic if not openly Polish mufti (an expert in Muslim law) offensive war (though an irregular one involvement in Afghanistan. A decisive twenty six Taliban insurgents convicted supportive of the Taliban insurgents ignored this attempt to emotionally due to the partisan tactics employed 74 per cent of respondents opposed of terrorism were to be released by 4 while Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski charge the discussion. by the Taliban) and a nation-building Poland’s involvement in the war. Such February with the offer being diluted to reached out to the United States for For a country overshadowed by enterprise. Sadly, sometimes only the a discrepancy on such an important four prisoners by 7 February. Following assistance in pursuing the perpetrators. spectres of past wars and a healing self- death of an innocent man can bring the belief the lack of radical voices comes as attention of public opinion to the true a welcome development. Nevertheless nature of a war their country is involved TRUTH IN THE RUMOUR: POLISH MIGRANTS LEAVING IRELAND Piotr Stanczak’s tragic death can have in. a number of repercussions that will One of many By Donal Mulligan to emerge in the short term, as migration really left seems an appropriate time as change the way the world is perceived Michal, a 4th year European ‘Polski Skleps’ fl ows in an enlarged EU that prides itself any to take stock of the realities of Polish from a Polish perspective. The most Studies student, was born in Warsaw now facing un- on facilitating the easy movement of its migration to Ireland. tangible and immediate could be and has lived in Ireland since 2002 certainty POLES ARE going home. Even Polish citizens are notoriously tricky to measure. For me, it was being at a house party plumbers – back to the source. The Ironically though, arriving at an answer in Krakow and watching Bartek, who had Evening Herald, which published a weekly to this may eventually prove to have been worked in Galway, outline the fi ner points supplement in Polish every Wednesday the easy part - the tricky part then would of hurling to his incredulous friends. It was since 2006 issued the last ever copy two be to work out why exactly they left. hearing Marek explain a common Irish weeks ago in response to falling circulation For although the Polish zloty is indeed word he’d heard Irish people use when numbers. Popular Polish bars such as strengthening against the euro, political waiting for public transport – and hearing Zagloba on Parnell street and the one and labour market conditions in Poland his mates repeat ‘thefuckinbus’ in a solid above Chaplin’s have closed. Bus services remain far from satisfactory for many Poles Dublin accent for the rest of the night. between Dublin and Warsaw still run twice accustomed to living conditions abroad. For others it was different. Roddy Doyle a week, but this is well down on the four And a recent article on a Polish internet wrote short stories about Polish migrants, services a day shortly after Polish accession forum under the title ‘Better Ireland in the very same people who on two-day bus to the EU in 2004. And tellingly, the Irish Recession that Poland in Prosperity’ journeys across Europe to Dublin may well Times reported at the end of January a 53 indicates that the relationship between have got their fi rst insights into Irish society per cent drop in PPS number applications push and pull factors is more complex reading the translation of his account of by Polish nationals in the last six months of than the question ‘Are they going or are two men in a chipper van during the 1994 2008. These indications would appear to they staying?’ would suggest. For the World Cup. support the rumours, prevalent in recent moment at least, it would appear that But most of all, a generation of Polish months, that Polish migrants are leaving discussion of this question can go little children are now growing up with a more Irish shores in droves and choosing to beyond speculation. personal connection to the gleaming weather the recession elsewhere. The very act of discussing whether or buildings springing up around the country It should be noted, however, that not Poles are going home, though, gives because their daddy worked on them. And regardless of the reality behind these pause for thought. For this question can for the Polish football team it was their indications, the question of ‘Are they going be seen as merely the most recent that match against Ireland played in Dublin in or not?’ in some respects distracts from Irish people have been asking ever since November last where both teams took to two important issues. This is not to deny they noticed products like zubrowka the fi eld before a home crowd. that this question needs to be posed – on and pierogi appearing in their local the contrary, addressing it needs to be one supermarket. Everyone has a different Donal studies Polish and attended the of the principle tasks of Irish policy-makers view of Polish migration to Ireland. Jagiellonian University in Krakow last year. and their Polish counterparts. But the fi rst Consequently, waiting for reliable data point is that no concrete answer to is likely on whether a signifi cant amount have TRINITY NEWS 10 WORLD REVIEW February 24, 2009

government in the Gaza strip. He has also announced that “when there is a contradiction between democratic and Jewish values, the Jewish and Zionist Lieberman: values are more important.” Contempt for democratic values can be seen within Yisrael Beiteinu itself, which is seen as a one-man party with little room for consensus or hierarchy, held together by its enigmatic leader. kingmaker or Lieberman’s politics are not theoretically anathema to the EU or the United States, because they can all agree from the outset on a two-state solution. It is the manner and conditions of these two coexisting states, however, deal-breaker which present a more practical problem

Israeli politics shifts to the right, giving the Many on the left and controversial leader of the ‘Israel My Home’ centre call Lieberman’s party a pivotal role, writes Hugo O’ Doherty. plan a racist catalyst for further confl ict.

HETHER HE fi nds Israelis have yet to forgive him for to the various parties in discussion. Any himself inside or meeting Yasser Arafat at Camp David in journey from the Lieberman plan to the outside the cabinet, 2000, an act that shattered his political Lieberman fait accompli would have we’re going to credentials in the eyes of the majority many stops on the way, each one fraught be hearing a lot who admire him professionally, with fervent opposition. moreW from Avigdor Lieberman, the but seem to dislike him personally. The conservative American controversial leader of the right-wing Whatever happens, there will be an commentator Justin Raimondo has Yisrael Beitienu (‘Isreal Is Our Home’) uneasy coalition. If Lieberman is a described Lieberman as “a Jewish party. Variously described as far-right, consistent member of any cabinet, Hitler”, with more than a nod towards revisionist Zionist, and ultranationalist, and his turbulent history calls that the paradox of Jewish National Lieberman found himself strongly into question, he will surely demand Socialism. Whatever the truth of that positioned after the recent elections control, or at least support for, the two label, Lieberman is going to need a for the eighteenth Knesset, held on key areas of his party’s platform - civil Hindenburg to run to with demands February 10. Right-of-centre Likud relationships and the status of Arabs in that the people have mandated him to party leader Benjamin Netanyahu has Israel. take extraordinary powers in the name been asked to form the government, Who is Avigdor Lieberman? And of national security. Would an Israeli making Lieberman a likely coalition should we be scared of him? A fi fty- President play the role that President partner. year-old immigrant from Moldova and Paul von Hindenburg played in 1933 Following hot on the heels of former nightclub bouncer, Lieberman and one day ask Lieberman to form a military operations in Gaza, and not founded Yisrael Beiteinu in 1999, government? long after a month-long war with having previously worked under The full effect of these most recent Hezbollah in 2006, these elections Netanyahu in Likud. He is already a Voter papers and parephernalia at the booths. Photo by Sharon Guberman Knesset elections might only be felt turned more and more into a single- veteran of two government cabinets, after the next time Israelis go to the issue referendum on the incumbent Jewish Israelis from predominantly probable catalyst for further confl ict. to injury, would be disenfranchised polls. At that stage, Lieberman might be government led by the centrist Kadima Lieberman’s Arab regions. The Lieberman plan, The traditional right, now in the form if they were to not swear the oath. I able to say that centrist and traditional party. That issue was national security, Yisrael Beiteinu conversely, would redraw borders to of Likud and Netanyahu, say that it hope fans of Irish football forgive me conservative approaches have failed the and the chief victors of a general lurch party won 15 bring the ‘Triangle’ territories of the gives land to a hostile enemy, an action for reminding them that Abbas Suan, people. At the moment, Lieberman has to the right were Benjamin Netanyahu seats in the West Bank under Palestinian control. that would come back to haunt Israel. an Arab Israeli, became a national a great deal of power, but the rest of and Avigdor Lieberman. Netanyahu’s recent election Any remaining Arabs in Israel would be Orthodox Jews, the Rabbinate, and the hero for the last-minute goal that gave his political career will be determined remarkable political comeback has required to swear an oath of allegiance religiously and socially conservative Israel a point against Ireland in a 2006 by how he chooses to deal with the been overshadowed by the victory having resigned once and being sacked to the Jewish state. Immigration of Jews Shas party generally oppose it because World Cup qualifying match in Tel Aviv. right-wing, centrist and orthodox of Lieberman’s party, which gained another time for his opposition to to Israel would become a priority under it concedes regions of ‘Greater Israel’, Under any Lieberman plan, Suan would religious parties at home, and a certain sixteen of the one hundred and twenty Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan. the plan in order to increase the relative the Promised Land. On top of this, probably not be able to play for Israel, Barack Obama, among others, abroad. seats. Drawing most of its support from Lieberman presented what has become number of Jews to Arabs in the state, Orthodox Jews oppose Lieberman and even if he was, he may not wish to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Russian and former Soviet immigrants, known as the “Lieberman plan”. and the two homogenous states would because he calls for civic marriages, a represent the country that forces him Hossam Zaki last week called recent events allowed Yisrael Beiteinu More formally,the“Populated-area be divided along ethnic lines. Arabs central policy of Yisrael Beiteinu that to sign an oath that effectively identifi es Lieberman a “racist”, which is hardly to grow its support base and bring in Exchange Plan,” in May 2004. Under currently make up just under 20% of stems from the recognition of Russian him as the enemy within, recognised on the ideal relationship the international former Likud supporters as Israelis this radical departure from previous Israeli citizens. immigrants as Jews by the state but not ethnic grounds as a fi fth column of the community would wish for between two became disillusioned with the progress, solutions, the plan does not explicitly Not such a radical plan, you may by the Orthodoxy. Lieberman’s strictly state. strategically important states. or lack thereof, that has been made involve a population transfer, nor does think, and hardly deserving of the secular approach has alienated religious Lieberman is notoriously belligerent Israel gets a lot of international in the Departments of Defence and it claim that there should not be a moniker ‘far-right’ or even ‘fascist’. Zionists. Of course, the most vociferous and hot-tempered. During an infamous political mileage out of being the Foreign Affairs. Palestinian state. Indeed, the creation That is until you observe opposition to opposition comes from Arab citizens of Cabinet exchange in 2002, he called only Western-style democracy in the The general rightward shift has left of a Palestinian state is a requisite part the plan coming from every quarter of Israel themselves. on Israel to bomb Arab commercial region, but cannot expect to keep that Labour licking its wounds. Labour’s of the plan. The party motto is “Israel is the region; Jewish and Arab, left and It is quite clear that Lieberman wants centres and “at noon, we’ll bomb their moral high ground if one of its elected leader and current defence minister Our Home, Palestine is Theirs.” right, foreign and domestic. to cleanse Israel of its Arab citizens, or gas stations”. In 2006, he called for representatives does indeed one day put Ehud Barak, whose recent performance Previous proposals of a two-state Many on the left and centre, including at the very least make them sign an the execution of any Knesset members idealist expediency above democratic is highly regarded by many, may have solution, such as that of Ariel Sharon, Barak and Labour, declare Lieberman’s oath that may well turn them into a who met with representatives of the principles. The next chapter of this long worked himself out of a job. Many involved the enforced movement of eponymous plan as racist and a permanent underclass who, to add insult Palestinian Authority’s Hamas-led story might yet provide the twist. ‘Pariah’ Mugabe retains grip on Zimbabwe

By Debra Wigglesworth new coalition cabinet when Mugabe’s about Mugabe”. For the West, paranoia through Operation Murambatsvina. Zanu-PF party tried to grab seven extra has long given way to tangible horror. It The infl ation rate has reached ten posts. Zanu-PF retains full control of is widely believed that Mugabe is using sextillion per cent – that’s ten with 36 WHILE WE in Ireland can still discuss the Ministry of Defence and Army while the facade of unity and compromise to zeros. Having long since abandoned any the economy in terms of growth or control of the Interior Ministry is split in fact smash any possible opposition. notions of international standards of contraction, the reality for Zimbabweans between the two parties. Almost all of It appears following the events of last governance the Zimbabwean Reserve is that their once relatively prosperous the Zanu-PF ministers have histories week’s swearing-in ceremony that this Bank in January began issuing a Z$100 economy has disintegrated in the hands of corruption and brutality. Emmerson is a despotic government draped in trillion Zimbabwean dollar bank note, of President Robert Mugabe. While Mnangagwa, who has been accused of the robes of democratic legitimacy. By which at the time was worth about 20 we can complain about the marginal helping to orchestrate the slaughter decline in our standard of living, the of 20,000 civilians in Matabeleland reality for Zimbabweans is that they in the 1980s, was given the defence have no standard of living. While we portfolio. Sydney Sekeramayi, who as Mugabe has retained the whip hand in the obsess about recession, the Zimbabwean defence minister set the army on MDC coalition. His appointed head of the policing people are suffering oppression on a activists during last year’s elections, tragic scale, with the majority sceptical is in charge of state security. Kembo department is likely to continue to use it as an about the prospects of the new power- Mohadi remains head of the policing sharing government to effect any real department and is likely to continue to instrument of oppression rather than protection change. use it as an instrument of oppression Such doubts were vindicated within rather than public protection. Mugabe joining this faux-democratic coalition euro. The government is now advocating hours of the swearing-in ceremony of also has retained the whip hand in the Tsvangirai has gambled if not lost moral the abandonment of their currency Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister coalition including in the terms a power authority. With this new coalition it is and have stated that business may be on 11 February, with the arrest on to dismiss Tsvangirai for incompetence. even more diffi cult to distinguish the conducted through foreign currency, Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe treason charges of Roy Bennet, the This is not power sharing, it is a good from the bad. The UK and the USA thus effectively establishing two parallel Movement for Democratic Change power struggle at the continued expense have declared that any government with economies in Zimbabwe. anti-retroviral drugs and the medical considering he has survived to well over Party (MDC) nominee for Deputy of the people of Zimbabwe. One begins Mugabe in tow is unacceptable and have Currently in Zimbabwe, 94 pre cent care is unavailable. The start of the double the average male life expectancy Agriculture Minister. In tandem with to question the sincerity of Tsvangirai, cut fi nancial support to the Zimbabwean of the population is jobless. Donations school year has been postponed until in Zimbabwe of 37 years, a statistic these events, chaos reigned at the who in an interview last week said government. They have stated that from foreign governments are falling the end of February and Mugabe’s which he systematically lowered since initial stages of the swearing-in of the Western powers “are too paranoid they would reconsider this policy if short of supporting the WFP’s efforts to bitter troops have prevented the private his ascendancy to power. legitimate democratic reform was seen feed 7 million Zimbabweans because of schools from resuming until then as To date any hopeful whisper of to emanate from this new coalition. The the change in the economic climate and well. change has been bound and gagged initial chaos does not bode well for any also the reluctance of some governments Mugabe, initially revered as a not only by the Mugabe regime but also policy changes. Tsvangirai stated that to prop up the tyranny of Mugabe any liberation leader who threw off the by the paralysed bureaucracy of the the coalition government needs $100 longer. Furthermore due to the limitless country’s colonial yoke, is now regarded UN Security Council which continues million per month which he maintains scale of the crisis, supply cannot keep as a pariah nationally and internationally, to languish on the fence tying itself is “essential to kick-start the emergency up with the increasing demand. Until banned from Europe and the USA and up in red tape. It seems world leaders programme we have designed”. In the harvest in April, people will have stripped of international honours. The have been numbed to inaction by the recent years bilateral aid has been to live on 600 calories a day - below a economy began its sharp downward level of dysfunction. They continue siphoned off into Mugabe’s and his survival ration. It is hoped donations spiral in 2000 when he seized farmland to do nothing but collectively gawp cronies’ bank accounts and there is no will increase with the solidarity of the from the white minority and gave it to at his audacity in maintaining his reason to doubt the continuance to some new coalition, a tenuous hope indeed. political cronies who had no experience unapologetic chokehold. Mugabe has degree of that status quo. The coalition The cholera epidemic as farmers. Exports slumped and the many accomplices; China and Russia smacks of the tactics of Mugabe in the (unacknowledged by Mugabe) is economy plunged, while Mugabe’s support his rule, Western capitalism 1987 government coalition with Joshua worsening. Over 3000 people have out-of-touch presidential lifestyle and multi-national corporations. All Nkomo and his Zapu party. Practising died of the disease since August and surrounded by sycophants continued. have vested interests in the continuation the old adage of ‘keep your friends a reported 60,000 are infected and Robert and Grace Mugabe and their ilk of his corrupt regime. close and your enemies closer’, Mugabe now require medical treatment by a have propped themselves up to levels of Mugabe is a public fi gure with no eventually neutralised his opponent and health system which has been largely extravagance alien to a disaffected and interest in the public good, only a the Zapu Party, swallowing them into abandoned. Doctors and nurses who despondent population who have been pathological self-concern and greed Zanu-PF. Déjà vu indeed and a case couldn’t even afford to get to work left beaten down morally and physically. for power and money. His partner in where a country that does not learn Zimbabwe. Basic water and sanitation It is likely at the moment that the the new power-sharing deal, Tsvangirai from its past is condemned to repeat it. has broken down, with raw sewage now Mugabes’ minds will not be focused on believes that the coalition will bring a Mugabe the kleptocrat has stolen part of the landscape of every town and the plight of their people but rather on new dawn for Zimbabwe. Its citizens everything from his people, their homes, village. Electricity power stations have the lavish arrangements put in place can only wait and see if the ‘audacity of their land and their human dignity been abandoned. The AIDS epidemic is to celebrate Mugabe’s 85th birthday on hope’ trumps the audacity of audacity. A pensive Mugabe. Photo: AP worsening as people cannot afford the February 21 – a grotesque celebration The odds are not good. TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 WORLD REVIEW 11 In offi ce, Obama shows us his true colours

the 44th president. Rather than fulfi l a Knox and to play with real monopoly things to all men – he is black (but not A month into Obama’s premiership and for promise of meritocracy in government, money. too black), he is intellectual, he is young, Obama has allowed the White House And this leads onto the crux. Obama he is responsible, he is sensible, he is a Charlie Baker, the campaign glitz and glam- to be fi lled with his Chicago allies, with is too arrogant. Some could say this liberal, he is an everyday American – and Rahm Emanuel’s position as Chief of is unsurprising, after all he ran for it was exactly this idea of universality our is wearing off. What is the man really Staff the prime example of this. Worse President. There is the famous email which Blair tried to promote throughout still it seems that patronage will be a he sent round to his team in early 2008 his time as Prime Minister, only for made of, asks our correspondant theme of the current presidency. Even stating “I am a better policy director Britain to pull the wool off their eyes though Governor David Paterson was than my policy director…I am a better and see that they had elected a ghastly VEN THOUGH the general has gone a long way to renewing the Pax her strongest supporter, Obama did speechwriter than my speechwriters”. minor private schoolboy on the make – consensus at the moment is Americana that served the 20th century back Caroline Kennedy for the Senate Maybe he is, but it lends gravity to the the type of man who pseudo socialism that only a racist reactionary so well. But nevertheless, to my mind at – only for her to be withdrawn when it impression of a man overburdened with went straight as soon as Cliff Richard could fail to be heartened least, there is something uneasy about became apparent that she was unable of his own predestination. His insistence asked him and Cherie to come over to see Barack Obama at him. formulating an English sentence without on using the Lincoln Bible during his to Barbados for a week. Now thus far, Ethe helm of the USA after eight years For all his promises of change, we can saying ‘like’ or ‘y’know’. Kennedy, inauguration, his invocation of the three Barack has proved to be a pretty straight of almost criminal management, it see that it is continuity that has been the who emerged like an apparition from ‘best’ USA presidents in his speeches kind of guy. But despite his insistence is possible to eschew the collective biggest feature of his premiership thus Hyannisport, has no claim on the senate (FDR, Lincoln and JFK), his portentous on being persil-fresh in his political orgasm that the world is lathering itself far. Instead of over-riding the dirty side apart from her famous family. Suddenly oratory, the infamous temple setting of ambitions, there is a chance he will turn into over the special one’s victory and to of Washington, as he had promised to all these wild republican claims about his speech at the Democratic National out to be another chancer. grow steadily cynical over his politics, do, he has demonstrated a remarkable the East Coast elitists, of the limousine Convention – it all gives an impression Now the world wants to believe in purpose and personality. willingness to satisfy personal interest liberals who look down on the crossover of a man deeply and passionately in Obama, but to attach all our dreams and Yet this is not a traditional rabid over public benefi t. This has been seen states take on a new potency. More love with himself, which is not an ideal aspirations to him in these worsening polemic, nor is it a chance to say that most presciently in his selection of importantly, for those who still harbour leadership model in an age which seeks times is idiotic, but symptomatic of the Obama is an inherently malign force, offi ce. Whilst his nomination of Hilary ambitions for peace in the Middle East, to refute the rampant individualism of sort of thought fascism that surrounds indeed his defeat of the Clintonian Clinton for Secretary of State can be Obama’s special committee on that years past. More profoundly, it seems him. During a debate last term at the Phil battleship in the Democrat primaries seen as making political sense, to elevate region seem to swing into one broad that the Republican critique of Obama, over who should be elected to the White and his cool resistance of McCain’s a person with little foreign experience to category, with the selection of Dennis that he was too young, too inexperienced, House, a speaker backing McCain was rabble rousing must be admired. such an exalted position in times of such Ross, Jim Steinberg, Dan Kurtzer, Dan that he had never worked a job for more nearly shouted down by the crowd as President Furthermore his comprehension of international strife is foolish. Even as a Shapiro and Martin Indyk sounding than four years, gave a shallow reading he skillfully pierced Obama’s plumage Obama leads the USA’s previous misdeeds is deeply former First Lady and Senator, there like a Zionist dream team. It feels that of the man, rather he is not called to with a bit of fact. He was reduced to former president gratifying, and by halting the CIA’s are many more abundantly qualifi ed following his inauguration AIPAC had offi ce to serve country/give hope/bring screaming ‘I know you don’t want to Bush out of the ‘black sites’ throughout the world and for such a demanding role. And this strong words in his ear and that will change but rather to satisfy a rampant hear this…I know you don’t want to hear White House. closing the dreaded Guantanamo he seems to be a developing theme with prove to be the end to any ‘change’ ego that can only rest happy when it this”. But most people don’t – the idea in America’s unquestioning support commands the most powerful positiopositionn the man isn’t composed of rainbows and for Israel, even as it alienates support in tthehe wworld.orld. sunshine was anathema to the debating throughout the world with its shocking And this is quite a neat comparisocomparisonn chamber that evening. After 25 days in behaviour in Gaza. ((thatthat I am not the fi rst makemake)) to a mamann officeoffice,, there are sisignsgns that His insistence on a withdrawal who pr promisedomised so much and g gaveave so hhee is mamaybeybe from Iraq, a theatre that under David little – Tony Blair. I remember, living in mamadede o off Petraeus’ inspirational generalship is North London in 1997 as starrstarryy eyedeyed 8 somethinsomethingg proving increasingly winnable, makes year old, how the whole country seemseemeded a little for good approval ratings but sends out to be in sway to the brilliant young MMPP g r a v e r a message of weakness to the increasing and his charmincharmingg familfamily,y, to his promispromiseses ththanan tthat.hat. belligerent Asian states. Yet Obama of renewal, his opposition to the is not avoiding the nation – building conservative government of the past, of the Bush administration, for he has “thin“thingsgs could onlonlyy ggetet better” – does this demanded a greater commitment to sound familiar? Blair is now hiding out Afghanistan, a region that proved to be at Yale UniversiUniversity,ty, teachiteachingng a course in the graveyard of the USSR and of several politics, knowinknowingg imperial British expeditions. This mayy full well that be what the American (and European) a rereturnturn t too public wants, but political expediencyy the countrcountryy over sensible action is fast becoming a whwhichich he hallmark of Obama’s time at the top. hahass reducedreduced But it is his plan to revive America’s to a pennilepennilessss docile economy with his stimulus bill and corrupcorruptt that is proving most worrying. $757 bureaucracbureaucracyy billion is a terrifying amount of moneyy would prove (though the US government has to date frfruitless.uitless. spent close to 600 billion dollars on their Obama four year jaunt in Iraq). However with seeseemsms only 90 billion dollars or so earmarked ala ll for capital investment and close to 450 billion dollars earmarked for various social programmes it remains to be seen what is so stimulating about emptying what amounts a quarter of the federal budget into one grand governmental sweep. What is most alarming is Obama’s accompanying rhetoric, stating of how “it is once in a generation chance…to act”. Whilst this can be critiqued as the fulfi lment of the adage that to be seen to do something is better than to do nothing at all, it smacks off arrogance, giving the impression of a man delighted at given the keys to Fort TRINITY NEWS 12 ELECTIONS 2009 February 24, 2009 KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Candidates

Art Editor Caroline O’Leary looks at this election season’s visuals – and what they have to say about the candidates duke it out at

THE AGE-OLD term says “Never judge a book by its cover”. But in the world of Student Union campaigning, your image is pretty much all that stands between you and the savage electing body, Hustings and as such between victory and shame. The campaigns this year have been a mixed lot, from serious to semi-insane, and at the end of the fi rst Last Friday’s SU election debate in Gold- week of campaigning we take a look at just what the candidates have been bombarding us with. smith Hall’s JCR brought out the best and the Posters are always the fi rst point of call in these elections. For some reason this year’s crop strangest in this year’s candidates of poster designers have decided that absolute close ups of the candidate’s faces is the best way to literally get them into voters faces. This is a calculated risk; just to warn you guys for Thomas Raftery began by emphasising the need for better the future, a little distance can hide a multitude Staff Writer communication between the College and all of faults. Daniel Curry succeeded in getting a 15,000 of its students. Keaveney wants more good quality picture but unfortunately was let THE SECOND Hustings for the Student information to be available online, and a down by his own refusal to smile, resulting in Union elections took place in Goldsmith Hall more receptive SU to student feedback. She quite a dour and serious image. Girls tended to last Friday. A modest 50 people gathered outlined plans to introduce regular feedback fare better than boys, with Emma Keaveney and amongst the arcade games and vending forms for students and public-speaking Simone Cameron-Coen both getting nice, a little machines of Goldsmith’s canteen to hear the training for class-reps to increase their ability dark shots. Paddy O’ Mahoney’s poster design candidates argue, charm and joke their way to link the upper echelons of the SU with the is probably the best design of the lot, with his to victory in the elections that will be held this students. picture-within-a-picture, warm blue background week. On Friday campaigning had been going As usual, Ents proved to be the most and bright banner making it the most interesting strong for a week, and these Hustings were a popular position with 4 candidates running. and least politically forceful A3 sheet around at real chance for those hopeful of a sabbatical, Mick Birmingham, the owner of a large Daniel Curry’s speech drew a disproportionate number of questions from the fl oor. the moment. Mick Birmingham’s lined New Rave and a position on the SU to get their noses in Mickey Mouse head that you may have seen Below: Presidential hopeful Cathal Horan. Photos: Martin McKenna and Andrew Holohan inspired posters seem to be sparking a “love or front early on. bouncing around college, was the fi rst to hate” divide; personally I quite like it, but I think Each candidate had with them his/her speak. His policies were well delivered. He would not approach the year as a business ‘The Record’, to prevent the further waste of that Mick’s good photograph seems lost in a sea devoted campaigning team, equipped with began by describing how he wwants to arrange venture designed to make profi t, but would valuable resources. of neon and information boxes. Rob Donohoe noisy heckleseckles and awkward questions for Nite Link buses for affordable trips home after listen to what students actually want through Cathal Horan and Conan O’ Broin centred and Franzi Hensel both went the retro graphic the opposition.osition. It was arbitrarily decided by night outs, then moved on to ttheh creation of an regular polls and an interactive website. much of their speeches on the impending photos way, but while Rob’s strong black, white the ‘majority’ority’ (that is those who spoke most Ents website with tickets to eevents available O’Mahoney drew particular attention to his fees crisis. He described his plan to sit down and grey is simple and eye-catching, Franzi’s loudly) that the candidates would speak online, and fi nished with h his commitment desire to give Trinity artists and musicians with the ‘major players’ and negotiate ways unfortunate decision to also use yellow distorts for 3 minutesinutes and take a minute’s worth of to making the Trinity Ball bbiggerig and better. more exposure through a series of exhibitions to avoid fees being introduced, and give the image to the point a voter might not recognise questionsns afterwardsafterwards.. Mick sees an oopportunitypportunity to sesell more tickets, and concerts. Trinity the chance to offer the government her if she handed them a slip. While Cathal Horan First up was Ashley Cooke running for giving more students the oopportunitypp to go, Simone Cameron-Coen and Cormac an economically feasible solution. Conan and Emma Keaveney have stuck to clean, honest Education.on. Cooke offered big promises to as well as creating more rrevenueeve for bigger Cashman were up next. Simone described wants to liaise with other Irish universities looking layouts, poor Amy Dunne seems to have fi ght College’sollege’s proposals to scrap readireadingng and more high prprofiofi le acts. Bubbly drawing her motivation from the help she to come together in a coordinated effort ended up on the other end of the spectrum with weeks inn the move to semesters, as well second-year Law student Amy was given by the Welfare offi ce when she against the fees movement. Aside from this a garish as extendingding library opening times, and DuDunnenne cacameme nnext.ext. Her well-drilled came to College with a child. Her policies Cathal promises 24 hour study space to pink striped providingng more and better cocomputermputer spspeecheech eemphasisedmphasise the wealth of include opening the Welfare offi ce for longer appear in the library. Conan spoke about This year’s crop background services for students. As the only experience she as ggained from her hours to give students the opportunity to seek the limitations a twelve-month turn around complete candidatete for Education, it is fair to position as JCR E Ents offi cer this advice after their lectures fi nish. She spoke of can have, but reassured the audience that of designers have yellow say that Cooke looked to be the crowd’s year, as well as ccoveringov her plans the importance of a face-to-face approach to he would use Class Reps to communicate background. favouritee for that position. to drastically rreducee the entry Welfare, and the need to support people both the SU’s messages to students right the way decided that close To add After a courteous round of fees studentstudentss are paying by institutionally and personally. Both Cormac across College. ups of the candidate’s further insult applause,e, it was the turn of nenegotiatinggotiating directly with and Simone identifi ed the accommodation ‘Friends, Romans , countrymen…’ was to injury, the candidatesndidates for Deputy the mamanagersna of venues situation for students in Dublin as needing how Dave Preston began his pitch for the faces is the best way someone P r e s id e n t . R o b to secsecureur better deals. attention. Cormac identifi ed mental health Presidency. Preston spent most of his speech to literally get them seems to Donohoee ShShee an and Mick both as a priority and suggested introducing a retelling an anecdote about how a ghost that have taken s p o k e mentiomentionedn plans for ‘Welfare week’ as well as ‘mental-health haunts Trinity eventually made one of his good into voters faces. it upon f i r s t trips ababroad, Amy of a week’ to address what he sees as a growing friends leave to UCD, a move that most of the themselves followeded foreigforeignn ‘mystery tour’, problem. Cormac also covered his hope to crowd were able to sympathise with. He went to ensure Amy’s cheeks and lips nearly perfectly by Emmamma and Mi Mick of a ‘spring introduce fi nancial advisors into College to on to detail his theory that an “underground match this explosion of fl amingo pink. K e a ve n e y . brbreak’eak’ aatt Easter. help students through the recession with paedophile ring” was in operation in Trinity, From the posters to the manifestos and leafl ets Donohoe’se’s speech wwasas FrFranzianz Hensel and practical budgeting advice. and described how concerned he was when is not a big jump for many, with a majority of the brief, andd larlargelygely comcomprisedprised of an PaddPaddyy O’O’Mahoney spoke The hopefuls for the position of President he found out recently that a crèche exists on candidates sticking to the same photographs extendedd metaphor of fi nding next, bothboth also running were last to take to the stage. Dan Curry campus, adding “there must be at least 5 kids and design elements as the posters. Again the ‘Lostst City of Atlantis’, and for Ents. Both emphasisede the described, in a considered manner, the in there, they have to be protected!” Perhaps unfortunately the photographic quality seems asking thehe crowd to let him be need for Ents to aappeal to a wider ‘disconnection’ between students and the SU Preston’s greatest moment was his response to have suffered here, with many of the images the ‘lamppostmppost brightly shinishiningng audience, FranziFran particularly and his plans to reverse this. He emphasised to the question, “what do you think about coming out dark and shadowy. Franzi Hensel in theirr darkness’ and vote stressing the factf that there that he wants the SU to be a continual semesterisation?”, to which he replied ‘fuck again suffers for her colour choice, as much of the for him.. Some of Donohoe’s is too much emphasisem on the presence in College not just before the semesterisation, next question’. yellow font in her otherwise very well designed policies include making ‘The‘The nightclub scene.scene She suggested elections, and promised a ‘realistic’ approach Aside from Education Offi cer, which manifesto is almost impossible to read. Cathal Record’ an independent paper alternatives suchsuc as large scale to the fees dilemma and mentioned wanting seems a fairly sure thing, all positions are Horan’s very grown up looking manifesto looks and devisingvising a green-policy for cinema nights,nights, as well as trying date of births to be printed on student very closely run by worthy candidates. It was like he should really be running for national all SU promotional material. to secure moremor 2 euro drinks cards so they could double as identifi cation. an enjoyable afternoon that ended thanks elections instead, though it does refl ect his Keaveneyey approached the nights with cheaper entry Controversially, Curry described his plan to Preston, in much laughter…and chants of honest and down to earth campaign. Cormac Hustingss more seriously anandd fees. Paddy, promisedpr that he to scrap the role of Deputy President, and ‘Pres for Pres’. Cashman’s choice of orange was a smart one as it is different and original while his scrawled font is warm and comforting looking, though should have been located somewhere other then across his forehead. Where Mick Birmingham may have suffered slightly with posters, he comes up trumps here with his recognisable green lines standing out everywhere and his hilarious central Drugs, sex, and SU guidance manifesto photograph. However Rob Donohoe takes the prize for most original manifesto, with By Kate O’Regan TIMELINE decent entertainment provided by the Ents his own mini-tabloid “The Rob” informing the SU Elections Editor offi ce, or the excessive funds used up on voting public of all that is good, fun and romantic class-parties, the SU in 1995 was concerned (see back photo) about Rob. It’s the best possible IF YOU’VE ever wondered what the elected » 1979 –As president of TCDSU RTE compared to other bars). that Trinity students had fun, and stayed combination of real election information and SU sabbatical offi cers actually do, or if they Presenter Joe Duffy, defi ed a High safe, even when experimenting with illegal fun and may be the think that fi nally gets the have any signifi cant impact on your college Court order to shut down an illegal » 1994 – TCDSU holds a referendum substances. boy elected. Simone Cameron-Coen and Ashley experience then you need only look so far as speakeasy, which he had opened in to decide whether Nestle products The TCDSU issued guidelines on the Cooke both missed on opportunities to have recent archives to deduce that, most years at protest at Trinity fellows and scholars should be banned from the SU shops fi rst-time use of ecstasy. The 1995/1996 some fun with their slogans, Conan’s orange shield least, Trinity’s union has made good on their getting subsidised meals in the But- following the infamous baby formula union guide stated “It’s a good idea to start doesn’t live up to its full potential as a “Conan the promise to campaign for student’s rights and tery. He was arrested and expelled scandal by taking less than a full one”. Good advice Barbarian” play while Simone’s “Support when you welfare. but later readmitted. indeed. need it” slogan, complete with 1950’s style bra A vigorous legal battle was launched in » 1995 – Trinity Student’s Union is fi rst The union said the advice was aimed at could have been a lot more fun. 1989 by then TCDSU president Ivana Bacik, » 1993 – A pint of Guinness in the nationally to go online. Setting up a “harm reduction”, and included warnings on T-shirts this year have caused several problems, who lobbied for the right to educate students Buttery cost £1.40 (a saving of 60p 1.8 megabyte World Wide Web site the combination of ecstasy use and alcohol with no less than 4 groups of supporters sporting of their choices with regard to contraception consumption. pillar-box red. Whether this means combined and abortion. The battle, which lasted As the union was pushing boundaries publicity for all or will cause mass confusion and almost ten years, was to land the SU in capable of courting its own controversy, and apparently the catalyst for a deluge of with its advice on drug use campaign, it hatred remains to be seen. Ashley’s choice of the high court, with the USI and TCDSU if the promiscuous habits of college students complaints against the college’s catering was also making headlines for being the yellow and Cormac’s of orange were good ones fi ghting a case against SPUC (Society for the pass unremarked in 2009, it was still a facilities, prompting SU president, Fergus fi rst student’s union in the country to “fully as few others will go outside the safety colour box, Protection of Unborn Children). contentious issue in 2001. Finlay to call for the inadequate situation to embrace the Internet”. while both Emma and Amy have gone for purple. In March 1997 up to 100 students We may take for granted the accessories be addressed immediately. At this stage in Irish history, the internet Mick’s t-shirts seem to be the favourite among the from Trinity marched on Leinster House provided in the packs distributed during It was around this time also that was still a very foreign concept to the vast masses, with the pink and green rave stripes again chanting, “Our unions, our bodies, our SHAG week, but eight years ago these sexual the college authorities came under fi re majority of people. working well when not on a poster. choices”. TCDSU and the USI eventually health information packs were banned in for supposedly “sub-standard” student In a headline featured in the Irish Times, Mercifully, many candidates seem to have lost the case, and were pursued by SPUC for Trinity College. accommodation. The SU threatened the it was claimed that the Trinity union was foregone the usual pun laden slogans for this legal costs. While today’s Welfare Offi ce prides college with legal action in 1997 over “tangling with the Net”. It mentioned that year, though there is the odd “Ready, Steady, The future of the union looked bleak itself on engineering an entire week of compensation claims by student residents. the union had launched “a full scale student Cooke” here and there to ensure you don’t forget when landed with these hefty costs. In sexual-health awareness, the SU in 2001 The compensation claims arose from guide on the World Wide Web”. The 1.8 how to groan. The gimmicks for this year were 1993 the debt arising from the legal action was more preoccupied with ensuring that excessive noise generated at the Trinity megabytes of data took three people, three slow starting but have been in full swing; Cathal amounted to £28,000, and the SPUC was Trinity students remained ignorant to such Hall campus in Dartry, where repair and weeks to compile and load, it was reported. Horan seems to have been fi rst off the bat with threatening to seize goods to pay for some of information. renovation works were underway. So although the SU is occasionally a 50 person fl ash mob at the Marino polling and the costs owed to them. As reported in a September 2001 edition In this case the students got their relevant accused of complacency, it is clear that it has speech event, but was quickly followed by Mick The weight of this debt was to drive a of the Irish Times, TCDSU president, Averil compensation, proving just how important always had the welfare of Trinity students Birmingham’s conga line and arts block Wii event, substantial wedge between the USI and Power, said , the SU is in defending student’s rights. close to its heart. However one may conclude and Paddy O’ Mahoney’s silent disco in the arts TCDSU, although a tenuous link between “In taking the decision we consulted They are also an essential tool in the fi ght to that the Celtic Tiger has bred a generation of block. Conan O’ Broin has yet to crash through the two student organisations was later the chair of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual preserve some college traditions. cosy indifference. front arch in a horse drawn chariot but we can live re-established. The president of TCDSU in Society and last year’s Student’s Union rights There was wide-spread indignation in A sentimental yearning for extreme in hope. 1993, Mr Peter Fitzgerald, provided the Irish offi cer. They shared our concern.” 1996 when the college authorities threatened action by the SU has been voiced in the Final words are reserved for Mr. David Preston, Times with his critical view of the USI: The Church of Ireland chaplain, the to close the front gate early. The union was national press, and recent fees protest whose innovative campaign is unlike anything “It’s too top heavy and has become a Rev Andrew Foster, accused the SU of inspired to collect over 1,500 signatures marches in which TCDSU had a central role, seen in recent SU elections. His handmade and policy-making body organised to impose “promoting promiscuous lifestyles”. opposing plans to close the college’s front were labelled by some as being insipid. home printed posters are fuzzy but fun, and each policy from the top down. In 1993, what In 1996 the union became concerned gate from 8.00pm to 9.00pm. This week will see a new batch of leafl et comes with it’s own unique tear mark. we need is an organisation co-ordinating with issues of a more gastronomic nature. In However after a meeting between SU sabbatical offi cers enter the ranks of a Dave gets my vote for most original, economical campaigns from the bottom up”. December 1996 it was reported that a worm offi cers and college authorities, it was prolifi c union. Time will tell whether they and green, though not my vote for President as I Some would argue that not much has was discovered in a sandwich, purchased decided that the gate would stay open until will thread the safe waters of apathy or happen to like our ghosts here at Trinity. changed. from one of TCD’s catering establishments. at least 10.30pm every evening. whether they will inspire the class of ‘09/’10 However TCDSU has been more than This unappetising discovery was While some may complain of the lack of to decisive action. TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 ELECTIONS 2009 13 Before moving forward, take a look back

The fi ve current SU Sabbatical Offi cers offer PRESIDENT DEPUTY PRESIDENT up a look back on the last six months in their CATHAL REILLY SEAMUS CONBOY positions, tally their successes, and, yes, their WELL IT doesn’t seem like that IT’S STRANGE to be writing long ago that we took offi ce last about how my year has gone, failures July but there is certainly a huge when it’s little over 6 months amount that has happened since since I offi cially took offi ce, with Kasia Mychajlowycz retrospective has only really covered then. my successor to be elected this SU Elections Editor half the year; Offi cers don’t offi cially The year has been big for all week, and with 5 months of work end their sabbatical year until July. students’ organisations around seats with left handed writing left to do. The two massive protests against STUDENT MEMORIES can be fi ckle. This year, we’ve had some new the country with the threat of tablets and found that for the The biggest success of fees, which we organised as Year to year, the SU elections bring promises, like the abolition of ghosts on the reintroduction of third-level most part, there was a distinct the year for me came early, part of USI, had students out the big issues of the student body to campus, courtesy of David Preston, and fees. I think this is something that lack of them. We raised this with in the form of the Students’ on the streets and up in arms the fore, and candidates make a lot of some old ones; Emma Keaveney also TCDSU brought out into the fore college and I worked very closely Union Guidebook and Diary. In properly for the fi rst time in years. promises, some of which they go on promises to make the union sites more and people were made aware of with the college superintendent previous years, these had been Shouting into a megaphone and to fulfi ll when elected. There’s a lot of engaging, while Franzi Hensel quotes the major issue facing third-level and facilities offi cer in raising two separate projects, neither of hearing 15,000 students shout politicking that goes on in a few weeks, incumbent Nick Longworth almost education in this country, and you the problem. We should see the which was very attractive. I spent back was certainly a highlight for and it can be easy to forget all the grand verbatim when she promises that Citi can be assured that there is a lot seating in place by the end of this most of the summer working me. plans bandied about during that time. Bar and Purty Kitchen won’t be the only more to come on this before the term. on combining the two into a Aside from fees, I feel that That’s why we’ve asked each current venues for Ents events under her watch. end of the year. All of us have worked with nice 250-page book, containing the profi le of our awareness SU sabbatical offi cer to write an article, Current Welfare Offi cer Orlaith Foley Much else was dwarfed by the Union of Students in Ireland as much useful information as campaigns has been higher this of fi ve hundred words at the maximum, hoped to increase Welfare’s presence the enormity of the fees issue throughout the year. This has could possibly be squeezed in year than ever. Campaigns such explaining what they did this year, in the Science buildings with rotating but that is not to say that we did included various councils and while keeping it totally readable. as the mental health campaign, their successes and failures. Many offi ce hours; this year Cormac Cashman little else here in House 6. From conferences around the country Feedback from the project has the SHAG campaign, Éigse na went way over the word count; ruthless told me in an interview that there was no a personal point of view, a lot of in planning and decision making been hugely positive. Tríonóide and others were more editing ensued, and of course this small presence in the Hamilton, and he would my time has been spent working for the way in which national My goal with The Record for visible than ever this year, and space cannot encapsulate a whole six be setting up some kind of satellite offi ce in the student centre; researching campaigns are run. Some other the year is to give the students I’m proud to say that I played my months of full-time work. However, there if elected. what services and space should things that are currently being a newspaper that they want part. A particular highlight for me it’s important to remind ourselves of To their credit, the SU offi cers have be provided with help from other worked on include: trying to to read. The Record is not a was getting to make TCDSU’s fi rst what was promised, and what was been candid about what worked and universities ,then convincing fi gure a way to install microwaves broadsheet or a national paper. It ever SHAG Book. delivered. Things we haven’t seen but what didn’t in their fi rst half of the year,; college that everything that on on campus for students’ use is a local newspaper, which caters The year so far has been an were included in the current offi cers the majority said they would take what our wish list for the centre should which is proving very diffi cult with for the students of Trinity. The fi ve rollercoaster, full of ups and include Youtube reporting on nights out they learned in the fi rst half and apply it be included! health and safety regulations as issues which we’ve published to downs. I think that on the whole, with Ents, a comprehensive TDCSU. to the second. As with all student bodies, The issue of the increase in well as college catering being date have certainly succeeded as it’s been a success. The fi ve org (check out the “Your Ents” section), the time each offi cer has to revolutionise the registration fee is another none too happy about the idea in a local newspaper, in my opinion. sabbatical offi cers have worked we’re still waiting on that 24-hour study the college is short, and the student that I have been fi ghting hard terms of competition! Content has been interesting, very closely this year, and it has space (though Hugh O’Sullivan has high government suffers from this turnover, on this year within some of the The job has a thousand the standard of writing has been defi nitely paid dividends. With hopes for its introduction next year), inevitably it would seem. We can rely on various committees at which I sit different aspects and will exceptional in many cases, and 5 months left, there is still plenty and as for exam timetables coming out each position attracting a certain type representing the student body. continue to work as hard for the combined with a new layout to be done, and just because my earlier, we’ll just have to wait and see. of student to its duties. Ents springs to One success story so far is the remainder of the year right up to based on the model of a regional successor will be elected next Gains have also been made. The fi ght mind as the position that fulfi lls this issue of left-handed seating in when we leave in July. One year newspaper, week doesn’t mean that I’ll stop against fees is an ongoing battle that prophecy most unwaveringly, attracting lecture theatres, which was raised is a very short time but it is an Campaigns are central to working. I hope that whoever is the SU have managed to get the student people with strong personalities and by a member of SU council in intense year and I look forward what the Students’ Union does. elected will fi nd themselves with body very involved in, and turn-outs to a the instincts of true party animals). Michaelmas term. From that, to giving everything that I have There is no doubt but that a a solid platform in the offi ce of their protests have been impressive. When voting this week, keep in mind all myself and the Education Offi cer, learned to the president elect huge part of my year has been Deputy President, upon which The library is open on Sundays, despite that has come to pass this year, and all Hugh, investigated the lack of come July. spent organising campaigns. they can build for the next year. fi erce resistance from College. And this that has been promised.

EDUCATION WELFARE ENTS HUGH SULLIVAN ORLAITH FOLEY NICK LONGWORTH

I GET around 40 e-mails and DURING MY election, I promised THIS YEAR has defi nitely been about 10 drop-ins a week from accessibility and approachability. one extra original and crazy students looking for help with Since taking up offi ce in July experience!! For years I had been their studies or courses. This I have worked hard at these in the college, barely knew what could mean grinds or advice promises as well as putting my Ents was, never been involved in regarding a serious problem. manifesto into place. it, felt it was a very clicky group, If for no other reason, the fact The diffi cult thing about and never even had a chat with that the SU is there to help these spread as evenly across the year Welfare Offi cer is that bar been bigger and better than an Ents offi cer. At the end of last very proud happened. Perhaps people out it’s undeniably a good as possible and that everyone campaigns, all my work is done ever. In week 3 I ran a small year, I felt immensely lucky that the greatest challenge of any thing. gets enough breaks and time behind closed doors. Unlike publicity based campaign to the college put faith in me to look Ents Offi cer is Freshers’ Week If I had to say what my to study for the fi nal exams. I opening hours for the library create awareness of the Niteline after Ents and I thank you all for and I feel it was a major success, successes have been so far I’d am in the middle of writing a or announcing Trinity Balls acts, service to students. November that now. particularly with the introduction probably talk about how as a new Student Charter that will securing a grant for someone saw Mental Health Week create a My manifesto was not full of the 26 euro ticket. We also result of a huge Freshers’ week hopefully be adopted by college who was going to drop out due huge buzz around campus, with of experience or examples of made the Fresher’s Ball (Iglu and we’d more class rep nominations as a statement of the rights and to their fi nances, dealing with a the theme of our week being where I had done nights out, Hartly was amazing) and Rag than ever before. The training responsibilities of students. landlord who unfairly charged “How’s Your Head”. Though I but a blend of ideas thought up Ball bigger and I hope that next event for the student-reps was I’m not going to pretend that an Erasmus student, listening had hoped in my campaign by a 4th year Science student. years Rag week can build on the awesome and something which I’ve had a perfect year and gotten to students confi ding that they to hold mental health week I hope that this year at least in foundations we built this year will continue to be improved for everything I wanted to do done. are alcoholics, not to mention twice, Hilary terms jam-packed some ways Ents was made more (some controversial decisions I many years to come. I’ve most defi nitely not gotten being the person who is there campaign week timetable meant approachable and open for feel helped publish it!). I can say that the library the printing services in college to listen when things go wrong I was unable to fulfi ll this. SHAG ideas, because in the end after I also set out hoping to move situation looks bright for the sorted which is something I did are not necessarily things that I week, the most recent welfare all the student politics, it is about around Dublin, use different future despite the impending say I would try to do last year. can announce publicly form the campaign again saw huge helping students make new venues, although this did prove cutbacks: They’re still open on It’s not even something that Campanile! publicity but on and off campus. friends and have fun. It is an offi ce diffi cult as a lot of student venues Sundays for a start. There is a new would be that hard to get sorted, There is non stop traffi c into Next week will see a new which should never get caught build upon last year’s reputation. Group Study Space in the North I think it would just take time House 6 everyday to see me; campaign on campus – Road up in itself. Daytime events was something Training Room in the basement and persistence and I’ve gotten on average I will get at least 20 Safety Week. With 274 deaths on When I started I hoped Ents that I wanted to see done around of the Berkeley [opening hours: distracted from this issue. emails, 10 or so phone calls a the road in 2008, and a signifi cant could move from the sole focus college for years and during this from Monday 23rd Feb from 5pm I was opposed to the removal further 10 people just dropping number of fatalities being people on cheap nights to providing year we have had dodgeball, to 9.30pm] for people to use for of exemptions for scholarship in for a chat. Some that come in the 17 -24-year age brackets, entertainment which couldn’t be rounders and many a scavenger group projects and such. 24 hour exams, but they were abolished in are there to avail of free universities have a responsibility got from your usual nights out in hunt. I guess in the end like many study space is on the way and anyway. In terms of Union condoms, others to fi nd out how to take some action. Dublin! I really wanted students Ents Offi cers I will be judged it will be more than likely put in organisation my own forward to contact their tutor, others to Overall it has been a to look back and remember on the Trinity Ball, so again I am beside the 24 computer room in planning (or lack thereof) caused fi nd out who their tutor is. On the successful year. Not everyone really unique nights and not have going to plug it, LOOK OUT FOR the Berkeley. I’m expecting that some problems, I put a lot of other side, there have been those will run of money to pay rent, them just to blend into the usual MORE DETAILS! we can announce the opening of things under huge time pressure, who are not fi tting into college, or need information about the madness college brings. This Looking back I would honestly a 24 hour study space before the like these very elections. as well as students who and may morning after pill, or be cut year, Ents did the Free Gaff party, and harshly criticize my admin summer. It looks like Ashley Cooke is be suffering from depression. fi nancially from their parents, Foam Party, Jailbreak, Balloon abilities. There is a lot of things I I’m happy with the outlook going to take over ; he’ll be an At this stage of the year I have Some people in college need Party, Roller Disco, Food fi ght, should of done and I hope that for modularisation and the new excellent Education Offi cer and lost count on all I have referred that extra support: it’s for these Vengaboys, Toga Parties, Daft the next Ents Offi cer learns from year structure. I have tried to even if he gets only half of his to counseling both formally and people I have worked for and Punk night, Boys Noize, much my mistakes, keeps pushing usher in this change by ensuring manifesto ticked off he will have informally. been there to support when they more and hopefully a college the boundaries and is open for that people’s workloads will be made a big contribution to Trinity. Campaigns this year have needed it. house party, all events that I was everyone!

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It’s one of Dublin’s best kept secrets. 7 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 672 9932 Email: [email protected] TRINITY NEWS 14 OPINION February 24, 2009

IN PROFILE: SENATOR IVANA BACIK Bacik to the future

Just considering the political genesis of Ivana Bacik in her days as a student at Trinity is enough to make a current political science student sigh at their own apathy. Or maybe that’s just Olivia May Russell.

ERSONAL ENVY aside, Theory. In 1996, Bacik was awarded it is clear the Professor Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Bacik certainly had a Criminology and Penology at Trinity. spirited beginning in this Receiving this prestigious appointment institution, a passion for and she joined the ranks of Mary Robinson Pcommitment to liberal values which and Mary Mcaleese, both former Reid she has carried throughout her career. Professors. Given this parallel with such In the week leading up to the Student’s Irish political giants it seems fi tting Union elections it is particularly that Bacik should have moved from interesting to refl ect on the life of this university politics to the national stage. former SU President, to commend all She debuted on the national political she has accomplished, and to wonder scene in her campaign as a candidate for what lies ahead. the Labour Party in the 2004 election to As an undergrad at Trinity, Bacik the European Parliament. While she did actively involved in university politics. not win the seat, she managed to capture She won the position TCDSU President a respectable amount of votes. But her for the 1989-90 year. Although only a political career was far from over. She university position, Bacik soon found remained a prominent member of the herself in the throes of what can only Irish Labour Party and a darling of the be described as an all out controversy. Irish Media. A controversy which would foreshadow Despite this set back in the the fl avour of her career in politics European election, Bacik won a seat and her commitment to women’s in the Seanad in the Dublin University rights. The student handbook that year constituency in the Irish General included information on abortion in the Election in 2007. As she was from the section offering facts on STI and sexual beginning, Bacik is still committed to health. The information was intended fi ghting for liberal values. Continuing as informative and not a political stunt, with the tradition sparked in her The Society for the Protection of the undergraduate years, she passionately Unborn Child objected strongly and advocates abortion rights and free decided to take Bacik, along with several contraception. In 2006 she acted as other students, to court. Although the a Junior Counsel in the Irish High SPUC ended up winning the case, this Court case brought by Katherine controversy foreshadowed her later Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan commitment to the pro-choice position over the Irish Revenue Commissioners and women’s rights in general. non-recognition of their same-sex Bacik made a return to Trinity after marriage which was contracted in Bacik’s commitment to equal rights, be. She is passionately committed FACTBOX receiving her LLM at the renowned Canada. Although that particular case irrespective of sexuality, is impressive, to her convictions, ambitious, and London School of Economics. She was unsuccessful, it is currently on and enduring. To date, she continued accomplished. In looking at these » She worked hard to secure a scholarship to Alexandra began teaching courses in Criminal Law, appeal to the Irish Supreme Court - to work in this area by drafting civil accomplishments, it is diffi cult not to College, but later admitted that she didn’t enjoy Criminology, Penology, and Feminist and hopefully on its way to victory. partnership legislation for legal speculate on her future prospects. Will school -- “It was snobby. The girls were snobby.” recognition for co-habiting couples, both she join the ranks of Robinson and same-sex and opposite-sex. In a country Mcaleese in the top tiers of Irish Politics? » Her surname comes from her grandfather Karal, who “I believe in an open, inclusive and secular Irish where such liberal views are not always “There was always this great tradition emigrated to Waterford from Czechoslovakia after welcomed, regardless of one’s own view of very politically active lecturers in World War Two, having fought in the resistance. society - which welcomes a growing diversity of on the matter, such conviction must be Trinity” was all Bacik had to say on the admired. matter. We can only speculate whether » She practises as a barrister, and teaches courses in cultures and lifestyles, grounded on values of From her time as an undergraduate or not another of Trinity’s esteemeed Criminal law; Criminology and Penology; and Femi- equality, tolerance and pluralism.” student at Trinity, Bacik has exemplifi ed lecturers will join the upper echelons of nist Theory and Law at Trinity. everything Trinity students strive to Irish politics as president.

Government policy of concealment unacceptable

implicated in what’s referred to as India’s trying to protect the markets. In any The domestic darling of the US Martha Politicans pleas of ignorance over the goings-on in our banks and Enron, with Indian investors in Satyam event it beggars belief that the Minister Stewart was put in jail for 10 months for the IT outsourcing group demanding for Finance could not have known acting on an insider trading tip which financial institutions will no longer wash, writes Debra to know how PricewaterhouseCoopers about the accounts inconsistencies saved her a relatively paltry (by Anglo their auditor, missed a systematic £1 standards) $52,000, Fitzpatrick and his Wigglesworth. With the reputation of our country in ruins, the billion fraud for as long as seven years, ilk should face the full rigours of the law while Merill Lynch became aware of it without exception. If their actions were economy cannot afford any other scandal further down the tracks. within 10 days after their appointment. “Throughout the Celtic not illegal then nothing is illegal and the The Enron collapse in the US was Tiger years there was Irish public will not be satisfi ed with the THE HILARIOUS fi nal scene of secrecy benefi ted us all in our short lived the Finance Minister Brian Lenihan’s largely blamed on the confl ict of interest ineffi cient quasi-legal proceedings of a the Coen brothers fi lm “Burn After prosperity because the economic boom resignation was called for following exposed between bankers and auditors, a strict policy of light tribunal. Reading” alludes to a fallacy of was built on a lie. The Ahern government the exposure of his admitted failure to leading to criminal proceedings Who knows what tomorrow will governance and corporate governance was working not in the public interest read the government commissioned against Andersen Auditors who upon regulation, which bring, at this stage one is almost in the 21st century. The fi lm satirises but in the vested interests of their PricewaterhouseCoopers report in full the collapse of the company began allowed for a nudge- expecting some Anglo Grand Cayman the lengths to which the CIA goes to cronies the bankers and the developers and to pick up on the implications of the shredding documents. account to be exposed with links to an prevent controversial media leaks, a and by chance that worked out pretty seven billion euro in loans from Irish Questions are also being asked in nudge-wink-wink Italian sub-culture. With Europe already hush-hush policy which they believe well for the majority of the country... Life & Permanent to Anglo to artifi cially Britain about how auditors Deloitte, culture to strive.” looking nervously over our shoulders, is in the ultimate public interest. But for a while. We now see a government prop up their deposit base. KPMG and PWC signed off on the the reality is the fi nancial reputation of in going to these lengths it becomes previously steeped in self-interest trying Accepting the Minister’s explanation accounts of RBS, HBOS and Lloyds the country is in ruins and the economy harder and harder throughout the fi lm their hardest to feign a public interest little was made of the failure of PwC to TSB respectively, at the end of last even before any report, even before any cannot afford any further scandal down to distinguish who’s bad and who’s ethos. Crony capitalism has made it highlight the matter to the Minister, his year considering that all are now recession. Ireland is a small place and the tracks. The Government needs to good. very diffi cult for the Government to Department or the fi nancial regulator. substantially supported by the people talk even more so in the upper prioritise public interest over the vested Throughout the Celtic Tiger discern the commercial interest from In theory, an auditor’s duty of care lies Government with the Government echelons. The cover-up culture seems so interests of the banks, of the Regulator, years there was a strict policy of light the public interest but given the present with the public interest not the private holding a 70 per cent stake in RBS. In impenetrable at this stage very few can of the auditors, of the property regulation – this allowed for a nudge- international reputation of the Irish Ireland too, auditor’s complicity is not see the wood from the legalese. This is developers and of themselves. Now is nudge-wink-wink culture to strive fi nancial sector a hush-hush culture no being emphasised enough, but it still demonstrated clearly by the Taoiseach’s the time for the government to hold up and undoubtedly we all benefi ted longer serves to protect any perception does not take away from the bad choices constant reference to vague legal their hands and uncover any falsehoods directly or indirectly. The government of long-since lost integrity. “The cover-up culture of the government and incompetence of privilege constraints which prevent him which fed the boom. Now is the time for quietly lionised this culture, the more In regard to the lack of strict seems so impenetrable the Financial Regulator and the Central from exposing the ten members of the putting commercial sensitivity aside in unregulated the better. But now the regulation in the Irish fi nancial sector Bank. The full page thank you from ‘golden circle’ secret share deal which the effi cient pursuit of transparency, words, hit and fan come to mind and the New York Times referred to that very few can see AIB to the public for the 7 billion euro has exposed taxpayers, or rather the accountability and resignations. We the bright lights of the national and Ireland as the “wild, west of European re-capitalisation in last week’s papers new owners of the Anglo Irish Bank, don’t want to hear the sugar-coated international media is fi xed fi rmly on Finance” in 2005 and it certainly the wood from the contained at the bottom the very quaint to 300 million euro in bad debt. Yet version any longer. The truth must be our festering economic situation. lived up to this label with its recent legalese.” refrain ‘AIB p.l.c is regulated by the taxpayers still have no right to fi nd out the starting point of a sustainable and Keeping it all under the carpet was adaptation of “The Good, the Bad and Financial Regulator’. Reassuring. the details of this deal. Furthermore no equitable recovery plan to get us out fi ne when we were quietly benefi ting, Sean Fitzpatrick”. The cowboy of Celtic Brian Lenihan pleaded ignorance clear line has been established in regard of this mess. The infuriating lie, that but things have changed and the Tigerism, the former Chairman of interests of the bank and this applies regarding the Anglo Irish Life & to the pursuit of criminal proceedings cutting special teacher support for over government seems to be caught between Anglo Irish Bank had the government, more so when the report is publicly Permanent scandal. However rejecting against those involved in the Anglo Irish 350 children with learning disabilities a policy of trying to conceal economically the fi nancial regulator and the auditors commissioned. this explanation it is more believable that Bank conspiracy. Minor domestic debt will help a sustainable recovery plan is damaging information while trying to under his thumb and eighty-seven The Irish auditing culture raises upon receiving the report in October defaulters fi ll up Mountjoy on a weekly utterly unacceptable. Its time to come adapt to a strained political policy of million euro in frequently transferred many concerns as does auditing culture 2008 Lenihan embarked on a ‘burn basis and yet rogue market manipulators clean and it’s going to hurt. But that’s being honest and open. Being honest, loans in his back pocket. Last week, in general. Recently PwC has been after reading’ damage control exercise, such as Fitzpatrick seem untouchable. the thing about the truth.It hurts. TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 OPINION 15 Why attempt ROUND UP

AOIFE CROWLEY if you won’t URBAN DEVELOPMENT RENAMING LANSDOWNE “AVIVA” UTTER DISGRACE be exempt? MANY THE indignant letter has been written to the Irish Times over the decision to Under the new semesterisation plan, students rename Lansdowne Road “Aviva Stadium”. sitting schols will not be able to earn exemptions “In view of the public’s negative reaction from end of of year exams. This needs to be to this erroneous decision, the way to changed, writes Conor James McKinney counter it is for every newspaper, every printed publication and every TV and radio programme in HE RECENT news that students should do a certain amount this country to vow as a matter of policy never to exemptions for Schol are to of work over the course of an academic refer to the stadium by its new name” writes one be abolished from next year year, Schol exemptions do not frustrate Peter Evans. is a blow to one of Trinity’s this goal; since the exam tests, or However, Frank McNally urges the public to fi nest institutions. It is should test, the whole SF curriculum, embrace this as a wonderful new money making Tunlikely to be fatal, but will certainly put a successful exemptee has merely venture that could be extended to all national Schol on life support for the foreseeable front-loaded his or her work. Instead of buildings: future. By pushing it out of the nine months of regular work and three “Let’s start with the GPO. Its matronly façade mainstream of College life to become months’ holidays, they choose to make already suffers the indignity of having to gaze the preserve of those who were destined it six months’ intense study and six across the street at a shop selling kinky knickers from birth to achieve excellence, the months of freedom. In both cases, the and adult leisure accessories with names like The removal of Schol exemptions will same amount of work gets done. Rampant Rabbit. How much worse can it get?” mean that College loses out on some I accept that mandatory course-work “ Would it really hurt if we had to refer to it as the outstanding talent. or new material introduced shouldn’t be Vodaphone GPO , or the GPO2 Arena ? Sure, critics The setup that obtains for all those evaded, but the solution to this, if it is would carp about desecrating the birthplace of Senior Freshmen courageous or a problem within a particular subject, the Republic. But the Minister for Communications foolhardy enough to subject themselves is less drastic: make it clear that not could take a leaf out of the FAI/IRFU textbook by to the exams next month is a great way handing in the relevant assignment will stressing how the money would go into developing of getting the best out of high-achieving result in having to repeat the year, and that same Republic (especially at under-age level).” students, as well as identifying the very ensure that the Schol exam itself tests best and brightest so that College can all material on the course. If that makes try to hang onto them. Allowing those it harder, so be it. Photo by Mark on candidates, but that’s the name of people, who will go on to First Class who have performed well not to have Part of the problem, of course, is Grapengater the game. Those sitting Schol will easily Honours degrees and Gold Medals but ENVIRONMENT to put on a repeat performance a few that with the advent of semesterisation be able to make up two or three days then, without the perks of Schol to keep months later is not only just, but also there will be no break in March next of missed lectures, although sitting an them here, will go elsewhere for their QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT good policy. year, necessitating some change to exam on Paddy’s Day may have a long- postgraduate work. It should be stressed from the the Schol format. However, this is term psychological impact. Further, the system as it stands is CORK OIL SPILL outset that these exemptions are not a not an insurmountable barrier to the The solution that College appears to an inducement for the merely above- foregone conclusion, but due reward for preservation of what is best about the have adopted amounts to swatting a fl y average student to work their socks off months of hard work. A candidate must institution. with a fl amethrower. The result, as must for that year rather than coast through AN EDITORIAL in the Irish Times asks who is score not only a II.I or better overall, but The solution has been to move be obvious to everyone, will be instantly their four years in II.I gear. The case of responsible for last week’s oil spill off the coast also in each individual subject so as to the exams to the Christmas holidays, to reduce the numbers taking Schol the clever student who ups their game of Cork. It was fi rst reported that this spill would avoid re-sitting it in May. Bear in mind exacerbating the problems above of (perhaps this is the idea; correcting so as to get the exemptions, with the not pose a threat to wildlife, but it later came that these are not ordinary exams, but students not working after their exams. extra exam scripts can’t be fun). T resultant increase in their knowledge of out that the volume of oil spilled was over fi ve ones designed to test the student’s in- But all that is required to is to keep he shoe-in scholars, the future the subjects and increased experience hundred tonnes. The Irish Times declares that depth knowledge, critical reasoning, the announcement of exemptions in academics who will win Gold Medals in of long-term hard work, focus and if the Russian vessel which was refuelling at the original thinking and, of course, the April, or even to move it back to Trinity their sleep, will no doubt still go for it – concentration, will disappear entirely. time is responsible, then “Russia should be held X-factor, their academic “fl air”. If a First Monday itself, keeping candidates on but what about the rest? The academic It seems strange for a university clearly responsible for the cost of any clean-up which is worth free accommodation, free grub their toes through Hilary Term. That elite does not come merely from the committed to the ideal of excellence in the Irish or British authorities have to undertake and free postgraduate study over fi ve way, students will be compelled to keep abnormally intelligent. Scholars are its students to take away this inducement to protect the wildlife and ecology of these years, surely a II.I is worth exemptions up with their work for most of the year, not a uniform bunch; some are more to academic progress. coastlines.” from exams that the student has clearly but will be rewarded with an extra naturally gifted, more confi dent in their These are the reasons why, if only demonstrated herself to be capable of month or so off come Trinity Term. own abilities, than others. Every year from College’s perspective, exemptions passing? Alternatively, since the exams are plenty get Schol who had only targeted were and remain a good idea. The It seems that departments are to be shortened to about 8-9 hours, the exemptions, or who were 50-50 fewer candidates sit under the scrutiny PORNOGRAPHY concerned that having secured their allocate three “Schol Days” in March, about making the commitment but of Queen Elizabeth next March in freedom from the RDS rat race, their perhaps including St. Patrick’s Day were pushed over the edge by the II.I the exam hall, the more Schol will be PORN students neglect their work in Trinity when there are no lectures anyway, and safety net. Making this change means diminished. The powers that be should term. Well, if the premise is that have the exams then. It would be tough that College will lose out on these reconsider. LEADS TO RAPE AND MURDER

ACCORDING TO Time to stand against Fianna Fáil Morality in Media protestors outside In the sciences, one can expect further not least when it chose to place the election Trinity last Thursday, Last issue, Brendan Curran urged the USI and the emphasis on specialisation within course date mid-week so as to dissuade students from “pornography structures. Privatisation in areas of research voting. Unless you own a pub, farm, or multi- poisons the mind – its [sic] addictive and can lead SU to rethink their position on the reintroduction will over time begin to dictate the terms national corporation, you should realise that to serious psychological perversion.” Ted Bundy of undergraduate courses, leading to an Fianna Fáil do not act in your interest. is cited as a well known victim of the damaging of fees. But the fees matter isn’t merely monetary uneven curriculum. This will exacerbate the Students too must face up to the reality effects of porn. They warn that “loss of modesty inexcusable lack of socio-political education that they cannot expect free fees from is the fi rst spiral downwards to moral decay.” or economic, writes Steven Lydon. It’s political. that is necessary in the study of science, given protesting on grounds of simple self-interest. The recommended course of action to avoid its prominent place in modern society. As it stands, the money is simply no longer this downwards spiral is to “avoid all explicit N TRINITY, you might be forgiven for funding to continue with their research: so And yet, these problems cannot there. Fianna Fáil must be removed from sexual material in newspapers, magazines, fi lms thinking that the majority of students much for intellectual freedom. Other avenues fundamentally be attributed to John government, and a fair taxation system must and T.V. programmes. Avoid crude and impure actually want fees back. Turnout at of funding exist, such, but they are extremely Hegarty. He is doing his best in a chronically be implemented in order to supplement conversation.” the protest was poor. Last week in this scarce. under-funded university, and is at worst education at all levels. column, the Phil asked if you “really An objection must also be raised on social displaying nothing but the same weak-willed This is not to say that protest should be Iwant to live in France.” The good anglophile grounds. Research should be directed by pragmatism that we have come to expect discouraged. It should be advocated, but with response to this question is of course, “no:” academics and experts, and not by corporate from the politicians currently in power. a clear and communal agenda: to remove POLITICS but let’s not get waylaid in crude national leaders whose only goal is to profi t. The The problem must be squarely laid at Fianna Fáil from government in order to stereotypes. The terms of this debate have need for high-profi t yield often undermines Fianna Fáil’s doorstep. Their stubborn implement a fairer source of taxation for WHAT NOW FOR SINN FÉIN? for too long been obscured by rhetoric and the simple equation for supply and demand. resistance to an increase in higher education education funding. misinformation. Furthermore, demand does not always equate funding during a time of unprecedented Of course, it is not reasonable to expect Rather than seeing the reintroduction economic vitality, coupled with their neglect that everyone should unconditionally expect IN THE Irish Examiner, Sinn Féin’s gradual decline is of fees as a move purely necessitated by the and privatisation of the health care system, is a free third-level education. In this case, the highlighted. He question is asked, “if the electorate global recession, we should see it as a result of possibly the most calamitously short-sighted, fairest solution is to organise admission by isn’t looking for a truly radical alternative in times nearly a decade of sustained effort by Fianna “The minister claims only ideologically misguided error in the history of merit, not by wealth. In order for this system like these, when will it, the republican grassroots Fáil to encourage privatisation within the the “super-rich” will pay the state. to work effectively, everyone must have access must be asking themselves mournfully? Why isn’t sector of education. This matter is not merely Fianna Fáil’s minister for education to adequate second level education. it capitalising on capitalism’s woes?” It goes on monetary and economic: it is political. fees, but this defi nition is claims the introduction of fees will be for the The government has not taken adequate to point out that as recently as 2004, Adams’s During the boom years, budget spending “super-rich” only. However, given economic measures to regulate secondary school goal - the “republicanisation” of Irish society - had for higher education did not increase one liable to waver, while the circumstances the defi nition of “super-rich” education, with schools like the Institute of appeared close at hand. Now however, it seems iota. The outcome of this has been an charge is liable to increase.” is liable to waver and decrease, while the Education ‘poaching’ the best teachers from that 2004 was their highpoint – “But then the emphasis on profi tability within the political charge will be liable to increase. Given that public schools to teach wealthy students to party’s past came back to haunt it in the shape of corridors of the university. In the face of the minister of education has not yet defi ned the direct detriment of their public school the Northern Bank robbery, revelations involving chronic under-funding, John Hegarty has to social benefi t. “super-rich”, we have large grounds for money-laundering, the Robert McCartney murder made drastic moves to encourage corporate And while we’re talking about freedom: concern. and eccentric defi nitions of what constitutes a investment by centring research on areas of Hegarty has sought to decouple academia On principle, it is fair that the rich should “The terms of this debate crime. The party that preached to the rest looked to high profi tability in the sciences. and administration with the creation of pay more for their education than the poor. be suffused with gangsterism.” These moves have been an ostensible new managerial posts. Some academic staff However, this should be paid by progressive have for too long been success, having drawn unprecedented levels say that this has undermined collegiality, annual taxation, and not by stealth taxes, of obscured by rhetoric and of research funding to Trinity, which has disempowering the academics that which the university fee is but one of many. secured a place in the top fi fty universities traditionally played a large role in wider Rather than face up to reality, Fianna Fáil misinformation. “ in the world. Should we analyse this further college affairs, placing in their stead what are has chosen the soft-target of the student however, it becomes apparent that this essentially corporate lobbyists. population to bear the brunt of the costs. counterparts. success is but icing on a slowly rotting cake. This will have a direct impact on the One barrier to Fianna Fáil raising taxes is Good teachers need to be rewarded, but One argument for the privatisation of the quality of certain courses. The arts will suffer that Fine Gael will simply undermine them not through privatised funding, as this works university is that it allows the college greater due to drastic cuts in funding. It is planned in the next election to clean up stray votes. to undermine the only available method of freedom with its funding than would otherwise that certain language departments will be These two parties should be integrated on assessing the merit of Ireland’s potential be secured by means of government. But what confl ated, and the outright cut of the Drama grounds of social benefi t, for they provide no undergraduates. good is this “freedom” if the direction of our department was but narrowly averted. real alternative in terms of economic policy, The USI must sustain its pressure on research is dictated by the market and not by As it stands most departments do not have and owe their dual existence merely to an Government for the rejection of fees with a researchers themselves? suffi cient tutorials due to lack of staff. In the archaic nationalism that has ceased to be clear and communal agenda. Furthermore, it On a practical level, this will prevent place of Latin and Greek we can expect a relevant since the founding of the Republic. should put more pressure on John Hegarty’s students studying what they are really greater emphasis on subjects such as Business Fianna Fáil has shown its disdain for the actions, as they play into Fianna Fáil’s interested in, as many will not fi nd the and Economics. student population on numerous occasions, disastrous economic pragmatism. TRINITY NEWS 16 OPINION February 24, 2009 Religion and God do have a place in modern life

By Tara O’Halloran dispositions. I began (very mistakenly) Since entry into adulthood and Religion then provides this instruction Others will argue that if religion brings And as we begin to approach our to consider myself as an enlightened development of actual and mature for the moral sphere of mankind, people together then it more often than own fi nal toll, the church or holy place intellectual and outside what I viewed hypothetical reasoning I began to impressing a structure onto morality. not tears them apart in the form of provides for many a brief reprieve from I IMAGINE I would have liked Sundays as the common denominator. I, at least, wonder if perhaps the bible wasn’t Providing people with clear moral oppression and religious wars. But in the fear said only to be championed by as a child - had my parents been atheists would question what I was told if no one intended to be taken for literally but guidelines they can choose to follow if reality, this is no more than intolerance the fear of public speaking –the fear of or at least agnostics. As it turned out else would, think for myself (most likely as a moral guide. In this light I could they wish, religion clears up much of and violence in the guise of religious death. they were neither, but Roman Catholics the result of an inspiring junior cert accept it. As for religion as a whole then the ambiguity people encounter as to difference. If religion ceased to exist, In this sense then religion can be who insisted on the importance of history lesson on the reformation). I maybe I could come to some agreement what constitutes a moral life. A further this intolerance and violence would understood as an attempt to understand going to mass every Sunday. As a child, thought I was so clever and metropolitan with the world. It could be a real entity need for leadership then extends itself quickly fi nd some other outlet. what lies beyond our comprehension, to Sundays were ruined by that one hour, and everyone else was backward, stuck for others, and a philosophy for me – a to religion as fi gures such as the Pope If religion brings people closer make sense of life and death which is forty minutes if you were lucky. This in a well spent past. Had the Pope not collective philosophy even, intended to become moral and religious role model. together, as I believe it does, then it perhaps why so many of us laugh about of course all depending on the sermon seen Jurassic Park? Surely I wasn’t help sustain the human race. But apart from the need for moral is also a comfort for people in times the predominant demographic of church which I can safely admit I never listened supposed to believe in Noah and what But what is it exactly about religion instruction, people also turn to religion when life gets invariably hard. As goers. But praying to God in our later to but rather sat messing (quietly or not) sane man was ever going to kill his own that would support such a supposition for a sense of belonging. Religion people continually attempt to cope with years might not be such a waste of time with my brothers, wondering who I’d son in sacrifi ce to God? – that religion really is a philosophical has always been about a community, diffi culties, illness and loss, religion even for us sinners. Isn’t there always call over to fi rst when I got home, and It didn’t help of course when the aid to human survival or at least the providing a profound sense of belonging provides them with hope and the the chance they were right all along? how this “stupid thing” really ruined my sex scandals broke and I had further survival of humanity? for people, especially those who fi nd faith that allows them to keep getting So for those of us who live our lives in day. ammunition to fi re across the dinner Well for one, we live in a world themselves on their own or those who up everyday, incorporating painful cynicism I think it best we quieten our As I got older, then, my supposed table. But what I hadn’t particularly of capitalist ideology where “the struggle to fi nd purpose in their lives. circumstances into a schema which laughs about the elderly fl ocking to the “love” for the church didn’t exactly make understood was the greater picture of collective” has always desired or at It provides a space in which people offers comfort – that perhaps this is churches, because it’s quite likely we’ll a sudden appearance like my adolescent religion - its philosophical importance. least been conditioned to instruction. can feel united in a common purpose. God’s way. be there ourselves.

HEAD TO HEAD: ISRAELI ACADEMICS “ACADEMIC BOYCOTT “EU FINANCIAL WOULD BE REGRESSIVE ” SUPPORT MUST STOP”

the Palestinian cause. Dr Neve Gordon of Ben suspension of subsidies and funding. Gurion University writes that “To fi ght the 3. Divestment from Israel by academic anti-intellectual atmosphere within Israel, local institutions. academics need as much support as they can This echoes the boycott against South get from their colleagues abroad”. His view is African academia during apartheid. Sure, supported by Al Qud’s University President Sari some white South African academics were “ RUTH EMILY AMY LEE Nusseibeh who told the associated press that “It DAVID LANDY made uncomfortable by the boycott (others is within the academic community [Israeli] that supported it) just as some Israeli academics we’ve had the most progressive pro-peace views are nowadays. However, ruffl ed academic ON FRIDAY January 23rd the Irish Times and views that have come out in favour of seeing SUNDAY MORNING, 28th December, 2008, feathers aside, the boycott campaign is one of published a letter supported by over one us as equals.”. and the Islamic University of Gaza is being the most effective – not to mention non-violent hundred and forty Irish academics calling for “a If, as this boycott suggests, we are to place attacked by Israeli warplanes. They launch six – ways to end an apartheid regime. Academic moratorium on the funding of Israeli academic responsibility for the actions of the Israeli state separate strikes on the university, attacking freedom is important, but as in apartheid South institutions by national and European cultural upon every person with Israeli citizenship and the science block, then the engineering labs Africa, academic freedom does not exist in and research institutions”. This is part of a actively deny them academic co-operation and the dorms for female students. All are Israel/Palestine, simply privilege. While Jews – larger campaign, the Palestinian Campaign for with our own academic institutions, then we levelled to the ground. So much for academic whether in Israel or the Occupied Territories the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. In must also accept our personal responsibility as freedom in Israel/Palestine. Israeli universities, – may enjoy academic freedom, Palestinians 2005 the British University & College Union citizens of our own countries to fail to demand centres of military research, helped design the endure various degrees of restrictions. voted that such a boycott would be illegal and that our governments place the current human attack. An important element in the assault was The Israeli campaign against Palestinian so did not adopt it, Malcolm Grant Provost rights crisis in Gaza at the top of their agenda. If propaganda. On TV we had Israeli academics education has been systematic. It involves of University College London stated that “An you log onto the website of the Irish Palestinian explaining that they’d taken out a “Hamas” extensive closures of universities, shelling academic boycott for political ends is in direct Solidarity Campaign you will be confronted with university. and shooting at them, as well as stealing their confl ict with the mission of a university and a number of articles detailing “The European Haifa University was lit up with a big land. It involves attacking and imprisoning betrays a misunderstanding of our function”. Union’s Blind Eye” and the “special” position Israeli fl ag to celebrate the assault on Gaza. students and teachers, and erecting roadblocks However the debate has resurfaced in Ireland that Israel holds in European foreign policy. I Israeli students who protested the assault to prevent students from going to college. It as a result of public outrage regarding recent would propose that an attempt to resolve the were attacked by the police and disciplined involves teargassing campuses and disrupting events in Gaza. The proposed boycott is situation in Gaza would be more constructively by college authorities. In the aftermath of the exams. Through travel restrictions and visa symptomatic of a lack of foresight by those who pursued through taking responsibility for our assault, Tel Aviv University pushed through the denials, it prevents international academic support the Palestinian cause and may even own government’s inaction upon this issue and appointment of a law professor running courses contacts, which boycott opponents argue are harm the peace process in the region. to place pressure not upon those in academic on how to defend Israeli army leaders from the right of academics in Israel/Palestine. Universities are placed in a unique position institutions whose purpose is to inform and international law and war-crimes tribunals. Yet boycott opponents rarely mention as a neutral ground where discussion and educate but on Irish and EU policies that So much for liberal Israeli academia. Israeli these racist Israeli attacks and never oppose debate can take place. Collaboration between overlook many of the actions taken by Israel academia is centrally involved in the occupation them. Ironically, it is human rights activists academics in not just political science, but with which the pro-Palestinian campaign is of the West Bank and Gaza. Israeli architects who call for boycott who are sometimes called all academic areas is an essential part of all most concerned. design the illegal annexation Wall and the antisemitic and racist. Fortunately this shabby Universities’ international roles. Universities By all means disagree with Israel’s policy in illegal West Bank settlements. Israeli medical attack is increasingly seen as threadbare as traditionally represent bastions of learning and the occupied territories, protest it, write to your professionals supervise torture sessions. Israeli more and more Jews and even Israelis support free speech, they educate our youth and provide TD and demand that he represent your concern, universities train the administrators for the the boycott. As the slogan of the English group opportunities for discourse, not just with those pressure the EU to take a stronger line with occupation; they train the secret police. J-BIG (Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods) goes - that agree with our opinions but also with those Israel, push for America to rescind its unilateral Amazingly, we give money to these “It’s kosher to boycott Israel”. that we disagree with most vehemently. It is this support of Israel. Write to the Israeli ambassador institutions. The EU has developed deep links Dash academics are at the forefront dialogue and debate that represents a vital role and express your concern over current events with Israeli academia which includes funding of English, French, American, Canadian, in any peace process. in the region, volunteer with the Red Cross their “security” projects. Over the last two years Australian boycott initiatives (not to mention Israeli academics are not unanimously in or donate money to the relief effort. All these the value of EU-funded research projects with Israeli ones). And with boycott increasingly on support of the actions of the State of Israel. are progressive and useful methods of protest Israeli institutions (not just universities, mind the agenda, the efforts are paying off. The existence of a number of academics who against the actions of the Israeli State. However, you) was over 2.1 billion euro. This support must Yet it may be students, not academics oppose current policies regarding Palestine an academic boycott that interferes with stop. Israel must learn that it can not commit who are showing the way forward. A wave of and who express their opposition loudly and academics’ freedom of speech, that prevents war crimes without consequences. This is what occupations against the Occupation has been repeatedly cannot be ignored. By boycotting dialogue between both sides of the confl ict is the boycott campaign is about. sweeping English and US universities. The the institutions that employ these academics not the way forward. It is regressive and harms This is not a call to boycott or attack individual demands are moderate – for universities to (despite their academic and personal opinions) not just our fellow students who study in Israel Israeli academics – far from it. Having recently divest from Israel and companies profi ting it will force these universities to become even but also the Palestinians whose cause those who helped organise the visit to Trinity of Israeli from the Occupation (such as Veolia), and to more highly dependent upon state funding to support the boycott are fi ghting for. Dialogue professor, Ilan Pappé, it always amazes me support Palestinian academia. University after continue to operate. This creates a risk that is an essential factor in creating a lasting peace when this charge is levelled. The Palestinian call university in Britain, but also the US, have this increased competition for government agreement in the region, restricting dialogue for boycott is an institutional boycott, calling for divested from Israel. After decades of military resources will begin to affect freedom of speech by boycotting Israeli academic institutions is three main things. occupation, after more than a thousand dead in within the Israeli universities thus silencing a short sighted response to the current Gaza 1. Not to participate in academic Gaza, isn’t it time Trinity followed suit? some of the most infl uential and loudest of crisis. collaboration or joint projects with Israeli the voices within Israel who are speaking out institutions. David Landy is a postgrad student in against the state’s actions. Silencing the State’s Ruth Emily Amy Lee is a Junior Sophister 2. A boycott of Israeli institutions at the Sociology Department and member of critics cannot be seen as in any way assisting student in Jewish Studies national and international levels, including Ireland Palestine Solidarity Movement Society will cringe at treatment of homosexuals” By Hugo O’Doherty ancestors and lawmakers performing as The United Arab Emirates, which point to the belief that homosexuals the campaign for equal rights for being as just and lawful candidates to be we would now wish? The short answer is accommodates the global business has chosen this “lifestyle”, and so the women “a socialist, anti-family political captured, bought, and abused for slave no. It is often easier to condemn others hub that is Dubai, is one example of a law and society is not discriminatory movement that encourages women to labour. And yet these were perfectly WHEN PEOPLE living today look at the without judging ourselves. state that presently does not consider because we all know, or are at least leave their husbands, kill their children, acceptable beliefs and policies in our twentieth century, they often examine Modern DNA evidence suggests that a woman’s vote to be equal to its male supposed to know, laws and societal practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism relatively recent past. progress in purely physical terms. The modern humans originated in East counterpart, and a list of states that are norms from the outset. How can this and become lesbians”, has also claimed When our descendants look back paradox of the last hundred or so years is Africa about two hundred thousand still thought to acquiesce with slavery view be comprehended when many that homosexuals “don’t really care at these times that we now live in, that, while many nations and societies years ago, though some estimates give would take up most of this page. studies show that suicide rates are far about how much they destroy”. Closer they will view our backward views on implemented increasingly liberal a slightly more recent date of about I assume that most of us agree that higher among homosexuals compared to home, Ian Paisley’s “Save Ulster homosexuality in the same way that political and social philosophies, this one hundred and thirty thousand years. women and non-whites are not inferior, with non-homosexuals? How can it be from Sodomy” campaign was ultimately we view the misogynistic pseudo- was also the century that saw fascism Taking the former estimate as true, or a sub-species, or mentally defi cient. the case that homosexuality is forced unsuccessful when homosexual acts democracies and racist slavocracies that as a bona fi de form of government and forgive me for perhaps making you What of the humble homosexual? In upon individuals by means of television were decriminalised in Northern Ireland existed not long ago. Some people are world war as a reality. cringe as we look at how morality has the eyes of most western governments, and literature when homosexuality in 1982, fi fteen years after England and ahead of the moral zeitgeist, and some THE MORAL history of the most developed in the last two-thousandth a homosexual man or woman is unfi t clearly predates both of these? How can Wales. A decade before the Republic of are behind it. This can clearly be seen recent generations to inherit this earth of human history. Women’s suffrage to bring up a child with a partner, live we say homosexuality is not acceptable Ireland. This is the same man who until by the recent ban on same-sex marriage usually centres on easy, but legitimate, was made equal to that of men in 1920 with a partner and obtain the benefi ts from a biological point of view when an recently was First Minister of Northern in California, which is hopefully just a targets; Fascism, Stalinism, and any in the US, 1922 in Ireland, and 1928 in that a heterosexual couple can obtain, exhibition titled Ireland. Homosexuals are still regularly blip on the wider progression towards other type of authoritarian rule that the UK. It was granted to white women, or even give blood. Indeed, it was “Against Nature?” ran in University executed in Iran. a greater mutual understanding of engages in acts of barbaric torture but not black women, in 1930 in South via a campaign led by Trinity College of Oslo showing the occurrence and The moral zeitgeist alters and shifts ourselves and each other. When students and murder against its own citizens Africa. Slavery was still a legal global senator David Norris in 1993 that led function of homosexuality in animals according to people’s views of what is of Trinity College in 2109 are reading and others alike. What of ourselves? phenomenon until the nineteenth to the decriminalisation of a private other than our own species. morally acceptable. It seems absurd about the preceding two hundred years, While others were succumbing to or century, when a series of international act of sexual behaviour between two Pat Robertson, who ran as a nominee to a person living in a modern western there can be little doubt that they will partaking in actions that are now almost treaties and domestic laws slowly saw consenting adults in this country. to be the Republican US Presidential democracy to view women as not worthy cringe at how backward humankind can universally condemned, were our recent the curbing of this stain on history. Many supporters of discrimination will candidate in 1988 and has also called of a political opinion or any human be. TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 EDITORIAL 17

LETTERS TO THE Editor should be LETTERS TO sent to [email protected] or to Trinity News, 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2. The Editor reserves the right to TRINITY NEWS edit submissions for style and length. Issue 9, Volume 55 THE EDITOR Opinions expressed are not necessarily Tuesday, 24 February 2009 those of Trinity News, its staff or its 6 Trinity College, Dublin 2 [email protected] Editor. www.trinitynews.ie

THE SEASONED Trinity sports fan might, had he not been imbued with an bottomless USI MUST PERFORM A Does security man reservoir of despair by the inability of our teams to win much of consequence, fi nd solace in the undertakings of some of the candidates for SU U-TURN ON POLICY offi ce this year. I note, for example, that Conan O Broin shares need his white van? my sense of frustration at the “administrative IN THE very fi rst editorial of this volume of Trinity News, published burdens” and inadequate “support structures” at the end of September, we wrote that the USI were taking a (for which, read DUCAC) that hinder our clubs WITH THE current fi nancial market being walking, which, if an emergency does ensue, in their quest for success. His rival Mr. Curry, simplistic view of the fees debate. Their approach – no fees, ever what it is consumers are fl ooded with top tips will prevent our defense force from being fi t who appears to share at least the brain if not – meant that those taking the decisions had little incentive to listen for budgeting. There are sales on mortgages and able enough to chase any culprits from the brawn of that worthy stalwart of the GAA, to students’ potentially most effective representatives. and you can buy a Range Rover in the US and get the scene on foot, since with only three vehicle has gone still further in deploring the state of one free; every attempt to cut back on spending exits in a largely pedestrianised area, it would the facilities in Santry as a “disgrace”, as well Unfortunately, that editorial of last September clearly did not is being made and environmentalists are happy be unlikely that four wheeled transport would as suggesting that supporters be bussed to galvanise the USI into the sort of action that might better serve to fi nd that these cut backs are exactly what be used. With a full-fl edged maintenance team important away fi xtures in the future. A cynic they have been lobbying the public to do for it seems that the security transport can only be might point out that a Mini Cooper would students’ interests. The latest escapade is a bizarre enforced years. It seems that the recession has brought truly necessary in states of lessened security, probably suffi ce, but it is a noble suggestion occupation of the Department of the Environment, as reported on the public to become more green-minded with so why are we seeing these vehicles on a daily nonetheless. Even Michael Birmingham, in his page one of this edition. public transport becoming a more viable option, basis crawling behind us as we walk unwittingly, continuing quest to be all things to all men, has recycling to cut our waste bills and eating less music on, to and from lectures, or taking the promised to put his considerable fi nancial nous The likelihood of fees being re-introduced seems to have grown fast food thus using less packaging. Institutions run of campus after hours when Lincoln Gate at the service of our underfunded clubs. signifi cantly since that last editorial. Consequently, the USI must have also felt the blow the recession brought is shut. On Friday night, for example, one It is to your credit that much of this was fi rst now perform a U-turn in their policy and engage effectively with with employers encouraging saving electricity security van was parked outside the Exam Hall mooted in previous issues of Trinity News, and and car pooling. watching the Boxing matches against Oxford hope that those gentlemen continue to pay those taking the most important decisions this year for the country’s It follows quite naturally then that and fl ashed his lights when spectators stood in such close attention to your pages should they third-level students and institutions. Their meeting with Minister universities will act in like manner in their the way. Surely this is not proper use of College pass the rigorous scrutiny of our passionate attempt to stem the fl ow of expenses. One resources, especially considering the guard in electorate. I will not, regrettably, be among the for Environment John Gormley is a step in the right direction, but obvious cutback would be the use of security question was on duty - perhaps our security is hoards of eager voters fl ocking to the polls this only just; their action was designed “to remind the Minister of his vans on campus. Trinity College’s fl eet can be already being compromised? week, as my hair is in dire need of a three-day party’s pre-election promises,” according to USI President Shane seen throughout the year being used for a range We could potentially come to a compromise wash. However, there is little doubt that the of duties, however, for the more menial tasks of on this issue, if campus residents promise to voters will seize the opportunity to do the right Kelly. traversing Trinity’s 47 acres perhaps walking stop sneaking in guests and resist the urge to thing by our clubs. I look forward to these and Those who called for more “direct action” in the wake of the could be an option. Understandably College sign in A. Bird. Then could security resist the many other promises being fulfi lled with due second student march on the Dáil must be shaking their heads in Security requires some form of transport for urge to rev up every time they need a run across alacrity when the new offi cers descend upon emergencies when speed is of the essence, campus or chase down illegal visitors? House 6, consumed by the desire to contribute bemusement at this latest news. It is hard not to see this action as however, when it comes to travelling the 400m to the public weal. anything but a feeble response to those calls; such as hardline group from front gate to the security lounge beside Free Education for Everyone’s call to stage a one-day country-wide the Ed Burke, surely a car is not necessary. Jessica Pakenham-Money Sadly the vans are used as an alternative to SS Philosophy Antony Lamont strike as set out in a fl yer they distributed at the most recent student march. Indeed, Minister Gormley is a soft target for USI’s action, having – in their own words – always opposed the re-introduction of fees. Young Greens Chair Barra Roantree got it right when he Cigarette cards offer glimpse of past said that “The USI should stop pulling stunts and engage with the Department of Education in trying to fi x one of the key barriers NTIL THE 1940s, the man who to access to higher education”. This newspaper is surprised that it enjoyed a cigarette could look forward to fi nding an attractive has taken this long to publicly identify the obvious course of action printed card in his ten pack. for the USI – engagement with the Department of Education. That era’s love of cataloguing Uand classifi cation saw sets of cards on every Thankfully, it appears that this apparently plain point of view is imaginable topic being printed and included spreading. One can only hope that it is not too late. in these packs, and the sets have made an inadvertent but valuable contribution to history. Cards on the subject of Trinity College are ACCOUNTABILITY DOES not particularly numerous. Those shown here constitute a virtually complete collection – missing are those rugby caricature cards which NOT STOP AT THE POLLS depict DU Football Club men Sugden and Cussen. But these few cards are particularly interesting because their subjects are so POLLING BEGINS today in the elections for the SU sabbatical specifi c. positions. No doubt the Electoral Commission and its employees The “Vanity Fair” card is probably the oldest Trinity-related cigarette card. Printed in will be bowled off their feet by the press of students clamouring to 1902, it shows Edward Carson, MP for Dublin exercise their democratic right. The candidates have, to their credit, University, in full oratorical fl ow. The “Vanity generally avoided making outlandish promises that no sensible Fair” sets reproduced many the caricatures printed weekly in Vanity Fair magazine. Carson student could believe they will keep (the College authorities, by is one of several Trinity men to have appeared contrast, know they can’t be kept). The possible exception is the in Vanity Fair. The Gallaher Ltd card showing the college’s Ents contest, in which it is considered necessary to outline fresh, facade also dates to the fi rst decade of the new, exciting plans to mark oneself out in what is generally a 20th century. It would have taken a lifetime of crowded fi eld. smoking to complete the set of Gallaher “Irish View Scenery” cards: this Trinity example is The problem in recent years is not crazy promises that can’t be number 98 in a set of 600! kept. It is mundane promises that won’t be kept. Look at the offi ce The smaller heraldic card, from Wills’s of Deputy President, for example (quickly, mind, because it may not “Borough Arms” fi rst series, was to be found in cigarette packs from around 1903 to 1906. be there in a few months if Mr. Curry has his wicked way). It would It contains two mistakes: these are the arms of be a rare candidate that did not pledge to improve The Record and Trinity College, not the University of Dublin; and the “bible closed, clasps to the dexter” of modernise the Union’s communication with the student body. We the college’s arms should be in gold, not the leave it to our readers to form their own opinions as to the quality of dark colour shown here. our friendly rival, but there can be no doubting that the SU website Depictions of the university’s arms are very rare, making the card showing the University OLD TRINITY is a disaster. This is unacceptable in the modern age, when every of Dublin arms particularly interesting. The corner shop has its online store, every soapbox preacher his blog. text on the rear of the card tells us that the by PETER HENRY Yet even such a comparatively simple task as remedying this defect DU arms “were granted by Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms, on March 28, 1882.” I appears to have been beyond successive Deputy Presidents. have not encountered this piece of information Few students will contend that the Union has a major impact on anywhere else. The DU arms card is from Wills’s 1923 the internal workings of College, although more might appreciate “Arms of Universities” set. The complete set of the work it does for individual students in diffi culty. Whatever one 25 also includes the coats of arms of the Queen’s thinks of the concept of a Students’ Union, it cannot be said to be a University of Ireland, the Royal University of Ireland, the Queen’s University of Belfast and particularly onerous burden upon its offi cers. There is no excuse for the National University of Ireland, the former not carrying out the basic tasks for which one has been appointed two of these being defunct, and the latter two and for which one is compensated with student money. now no longer using their legitimate coats of arms as their chief symbols. Students should not expect much from the Union. But they The 1926 “University Hoods and Gowns” set should demand that it adequately perform those functions which contains two Dublin University cards, depicting it is designed to perform. It is, after all, in your name that it makes the BA and MA degree hoods. Oddly, these do not seem to correspond to the hood shapes in pronouncements, spends money and makes representations to use at the time. Drawings of our university’s Football Club celebrates its 125th anniversary College. Whether one plans on voting or not, it is worth keeping an hoods in Haycraft’s Degrees and Hoods of the this year. The club’s fi rst team will be visiting World’s Universities and Colleges show that Oxford and Cambridge next month to play the eye on the denizens of House 6. It may not provide an enthralling these cards probably depict the hood shapes in Blues teams. Good luck, Trinity, and best wishes or even an edifying spectacle, but since the Union is not particularly use here before 1909. to DUAFC in its quasquicentennial year. relevant to a majority of students, it may come to feel that it can do The TCD Association tie, better known as our It is a shame that the soccer club’s fi ve- IT WAS REASSURING to read in the last graduates’ tie, is depicted in the Churchman’s letter acronym, in use since 1883, has recently Trinity News that the new “semesters” will what it likes so long as the hacks acquiesce. It may feel that what it Cigarettes “Well-Known Ties” second series been poached by another outfi t. The college’s retain the old term names. Trinity had four likes to do is very little. If such proves to be the case, then perhaps set. These cards were issued in 1935, which American footballers have been referring to terms of widely varying lengths until 1834, we should consider abolishing it altogether. But so long as the SU shows how popular the Trinity tie had become their as-yet-unrecognised club as “DUAFC”, when Easter term was abolished. It would have just eight years or so after its introduction. to the confusion of the student masses. Let us been truly disappointing had a hasty decision still has a job to do, we should ensure that it does it. hope that this Gridiron group will acknowledge killed off Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity terms JOHN LAVELLE, BA 2008, Gold Medallist, a tradition and adopt a more appropriate in 2009. Scholar reading for the Magister in Utroque moniker. Jure degree, tells me that the DU Association [email protected] 8BUSINESS & CAREERS 18 ‘fail toprepare, prepare tofail’isanapt, sogettoit! the careers servicesavailabletoyou. The phrase or fi your course.nd graduates of Remember touse then planaccordingly. Talk toyourlecturers, tutors interested in, jobadvertisements andtheircriteria what youneedtodo, lookat coursesyoumightbe suits you. fithe bestchancepossibleof nding somethingthat opportunities foryou, thenyouare givingyourself set yourlifeupinthebestwaypossibletoopen confused. youputplanningonyouragendaand If gives thematitleorcareer. Itisthenormtobe which ultimately defines theirworkinglifeandthus their CV’s before settling intoanorganization different experience, further studyandbuildupon in life. This isbecausemanypeopledotravel, gain consider themselvesashavingacareer untillater is important to realize that manypeopledonot supported and encouraged. encouraged and anyenthusiasmdisplayediswell and green energy where innovation ishighly especially scienceareas, suchasnanotechnology to theneedforinnovative ideas incertain fields, your owncareer path isgainingpopularitydue on specifi afic areas of eld. Similarlyforging out in universitieswhichallowsstudentstohone committed, e.g. research mastersare ever-popular for developingonescareer are there forthe economies) ishigh, meaning that theprospects workers (especiallyfortoday’s now-fragile do so. Moreover, theneedforhighly-specialised it’s nevertoolate tochangepathways andit’s okto an engineer to a doctor. So it is worth remembering physical therapist, asocialworker toasolicitoror changes; goingfrom abusinessexecutive toa weekly health supplementdetailsindividualcareer may alwaysharbouraninterest in. The Irish Times path automatically closesotheroneswhichyou evening courses. Don’tthinkthat choosingone long-distancelearning collegesand explosion of this wouldbeunheard of, thisistypified bythe those wishingtochangecareers whenonce Irish universities. There accepting isalsoanormof kicking. Lookmature at theboomof studentsin in onacareer worth chasingforyou. which opportunities canflourish, mayhelpnarrow experience inthebestenvironment foryouin the next bestthing;developingyourC.V., getting theirintentions,unsure of planning accordingly is ‘career’the idea of whenmentioned. For those typically studentswhohavedifficulty grasping degrees (Philosophy, languagesetc.). These are increase inthoseattaining broad non-professional attending collegehasmeant that there isalarge to ‘career’ ischanging. The increase instudents planning isnotneeded. The associated meaning what career wewant. That stilldoesnotmean that reflection leads toclarifi cation. life at home, encouraging reflection whichthrough else, itallowsforcompletedisengagement with English toZoology. Why? Well asidefrom anything or soafter collegeisvaluableforallstudents, from course,Of thisapparent ‘having thecraic’ forayear workers andsoon, thiswouldbecommonactivity. to apharmacistbutforeducation students, social travel andindependence. This maynotberelevant in reality, theyare gaining lifeandworkexperience, globe mayappear tobejusthavingthecraic, but Graduates teaching Englishpart-time off across the though sometimesplanningcanbevague. acquainted withyouropportunities iscrucial, be swiftly snappedupbyfirms. This iswhybeing whereas atalentedbusiness graduate willusually before enteringaclinical/counselingdegree practicalwill needlarge experience amountsof lookingat careerit coversallwaysof planning. approach, inmyview, is‘O’(opportunities) because career planning. The this mostimportant aspectof to saythat there lookingat are nototherwaysof most studentswillgothrough. However, that isnot structured, itdoesrepresent theprocess which complete asuccessfulinterviewforexample. done toseal thecommitment, byensuringyou for action, simplymeans doingwhat hastobe graduates regarding yourpotentialdecisions. A: must gothrough withfamily, friends, academics, PhD. D:fordecisions, highlights theprocess one required toevengetthere, beitamastersor That doesnotevenmentiontheprerequisites procedures; allthenormsforyourchosenarea. opportunities: theinterviewprocesses, application Therefore, howtocreate youmustbeaware of career path withtheoptionsavailable toyou. means beingclear onhowyoucangetontoyour your qualitative abilityetc. O:foropportunities, quantitative research methodsare stronger than weaknesses, valuesandabilities;e.g. knowingthat for self, represents yourstrengths, beingaware of service adoptsthe‘SODA’ approach tothistopic. S: about it. standard waysinwhichstudentsare advisedtogo This article intendstosummariseandevaluate the Either way, somekindisparamount. planningof intereston howtopursueacareer isenough. of their priority. For others, ideas havingarough setof FOR MANY, ensuringadesirable andsolidcareer is WHAT CANYOUDO? CAREER PLANNING: DARRAGH MCCASHIN So where tostart? Well ensure that youknow havingacareer,Returning tothe notionof it Also, multiplecareers isaliveand theageof Without adoubt, usare uncertain manyof To illustrate thispoint, apsychologygraduate Although the‘SODA’ approach issimplistically Within Trinity at least, thecareers advisory Future Calling http://www.tcd.ie/Careers/ of thegovernment actuallyrestorestability? impoverished students.Willtheshakyefforts the Irishbanksystem withgrave concernfor Maeve Glavey dilemma banking Student’s particularly lowskilledlabour, andreduced downward pressureonthepriceoflabour, Union. Thismassofnewworkers created million duetothedemiseof Soviet labour forceincreasedbyroughly 500 market. TheIMFpredictsthat the global released aflood of cheaplabourontothe entered thecompetitive markets.This previously protectedeconomiessuddenly ruin thatcentralplanninghadcreatedand Soviet Union in1991exposedtheeconomic impact was enormous.Thecollapseofthe half ofthe20thcentury, anditseconomic important geopoliticalevent ofthesecond Soviet Union. Itscollapseiseasilythemost during thisperiodduetothecollapseof anomaly. Inflation was historicallylow current decadeissomethingofaneconomic through the1990’sandbeginningof just unique,timespecific circumstances. contributing to that period of growth we really factors the if and possible is days glory these factors. We the must question whether a everreturn to are specifitime to due repeated be c can or same situations economic two no However,1990’s. the of days glory the economic to return a spark eventually and spend to consumers persuade systems, banking the confidence. consumer It is thought restore more money and can cure system financial the in hole gaping the plug to recession, of out way their spend to attempt governments as force in returned has POLICY KEYNESIAN Mark Havel A return to the good ol’ days? Regulator, were in for a rude awakening. Financial the notably mess, from of sort this us protecting been have should who those and country our of bankers top the out turns it as Not however,and so solvent. still was the system that banking everyone in assure to banks effort Irish an in on debts and guarantee deposits a Government Scheme, the Guarantee to led prices share bank Volatile struggle encountered. previously to had it anything unlike situation begin a with government saw wethe press the through out leak to signs began wrong fi very rst was something the that As rapid spiral. a on downward been has system banking despite events elsewhere. problems with the Irish banking system, were no were We there sand. that assured the repeatedly in buried heads plenty were there system, banking the save to plan recapitalization billion €7 with them. with it.” frugal savingsdown the economyandtheir could collapseandtake that thebankingsystem shock tomanystudents “It cameasquitea down economy the taking risk they fall banks If collapse. of brink the on teeter easily so country,could organizations these the that over all people to fact in came as quite a shock to many students, has it while, a quite for making crisis the in been financial this although So there. just is that Something lives. our in freebie-loadedstudentaccounts. havethey little what deposit to students stalls in the Arts Block to entice wealthy yearly up set They Ireland. of Bank and AIB of institutions known well the also that will pester you for membership, but B The timeperiodfromthelate1980’s, Irish the 2008, September From announced government the Before of all in feature constant a are Banks is not only student societies student only not is it year, each notice Trinity money in arriving Freshers As safe. keep to supposed are that places ARE ANKS investigates recentevents in r t ct hi sno eeuie’ pay executives’ senior their cut to are banking lot of top attention. AIB and Bank of Ireland for executives is one that has been getting a remuneration issue of touchy particularly yet not The are known. government’s crisis, the the like just of plans, extent full the fitime buyersinthecomingyear.rst as to capacity well lending their as upping enterprises medium small to and capacity lending increase to conjunction with further commitments by the banks the in comes investment the from and Fund, Reserve Pensions National comes recapitalization one quarterofeachbank’sdirectors. appoint to right the and appointments board and control of rights change regarding voting ordinary of 25% shares, preference to rights accruing Finance financial system will see the Minister for The recovery. effort to stabilize the banks, and economic thus the Ireland’s to critical is internationally,crucially, and domestically,both the system banking Irish in faith restoring and everything, praying heisright. surely government the and work, will it Minister Brian Lenihan assuring us that in back which December, is going ahead, with form Finance draft in plan, appeared first recapitalization about much-talked in The waters. were hot similarly banks dependable formerly our that doubt remaining any beyond us confi for February government rmed the On 11th trouble. much as quite in weren’t banks other our that hoped have might one sector, property the to relationship its to due suffer to bound it is a commercial lending bank and was that givenfact exposed, the particularly illegal activities. potentially fitheir under for now re are Life and Permanent whose management Irish by Bank Irish Anglo to made loans the around controversy continuing The the bank should have be allowed to sink. believe much who economists from attracted criticism has move particular This mid-January. in Bank Irish Anglo to fia attempted put nationalizing forward, foot rmer government the there, banks the recapitalize to such UK the in moves as following and recession deepening a with year, new the Come Many are criticizing the plan, while plan, the criticizing are Many in used be to money The is confidence knows, well he As was Bank Irish Anglo Whilst reduction inthepopulationand greyingof phenomenon mayeventually leadtoa Europe’s workforce isdeclining.This than theirparentsdid,inother words, they leave fewer workers toreplacethem population ofthe1990’sprepares toretire, numbers ofpensioners.Astheworking are fewer workers tosupportthegrowing the dependencyratioincreasedasthere pensioners andchildren.However over time small numberofdependentssuchas larger working populationandarelatively few childrenthemselves. Thisentaileda the 90’scamefromlargefamiliesbuthad the lowdependencyratio.Theworkers of will simplybethenewnorm. negative thing,norisitapositive thing,it Higher inflation shouldnotbeseenasa Inflation at2%isa1990’sphenomenon. possibly ashigh8or9%ismorelikely. collapse disappear. Muchhigherinflation, extra labourcreatedbytheSovietUnions around the2%targetaseffectsof it willbeunlikelythatinflation willhover inflation occurs. economy. Aspricescontinuetoincrease This inturnincreasescostsacrossthe will beupward pressureonlabourcosts. new workers becomesfully absorbed,there advanced, andastheshockof500million the formerSovieteconomiesbecomemore and thuskeptinflation artifi cially low. As lowered thepriceofgoods and services, lowered thecostsofproduction, which world wages. Thisreducedcostoflabour Another uniquefactorinthe90’swas Once we emergefromthis recession Gerdes Photo: Peter Empty pockets. borrowing leadtotheopulent1990’s. relocate. and theUSasfirms desperatetocutcosts hinder economicrecovery forbothEurope competition didnotpreviously exist, andwill cheap labourandlowproductioncostsThis real competitiontoEuropebymeansof not thecase.TheAsianeconomiesoffer in thepostwar era.Today, however thisis other thantheUStostifle Europe’sgrowth past therewas littleeconomiccompetition ourselves todayisvery different.Inthe economic environmentinwhichwe find financial systems. However theglobal Europe’s infrastructure,businessesand the MarshallPlanwere spentonrebuilding money, whichcamefromtheUS,under aftermath ofWorld War II.Hugesumsof spent itsway toprosperitywas inthe boom tobustcycles,thelasttimeEurope to another. seem tobelurchingfromonefiscal burden their way outofrecession.Governments governments areborrowing heavily tospend and itscomingatthewrongtime,when anything therecessioncanconjureup, presents afiscal burdenfargreaterthan population beingonbenefits. Thissituation to dealwithsuchalargepercentageofthe welfare statesinEuropeare notequipped retire earlierandlive longer. Thelarge boom unmatchedbyanybefore,aspeople will have retired,anditwillbearetirement retirement. By2030allthebabyboomers the workforce aspeopleare forcedtodelay It would bewrongtosayexcessive Though recessionsareoftenprecededby of good and bad banks, for resignations for banks, bad and good of from the various sides for establishment calls conflicting However, leadership. real provide to strives government his while popularity’ ‘courting of Labour accused has minister The performance. government’s the dissatisfi with they are ed claiming 82% with grows unrest as country the in situation political the economy,the of of just also not but true are living inunprecedentedtimes’mayring ‘we that statement Lenihan’s the Mr for support points. ten up jumped has party Labour while plummeting ratings Fáil’s Fianna show polls opinion Recent occurrence. daily less or a more becoming sector private the in jobs government of losses the and levy the pension the over lobby to beginning unions with performance, government known. The public is far from happy with yet not is losses banks’ the of extent full the from the that stems issue the this surrounding worries of part large A scepticism. severe with met been have been have and and opposition the by criticized heavily botched as seen the are overstated, be government’s attempts to banks’ cannot ensure stability the survival of importance the While late. too little, too be may it but seen be financial system. the of overhaul complete a a but rescue, just not demanding bankers, top of sacking outright the pay for but for reductions just not so calling are off and let easily be to are people and these why economists asking are alike public the of members politicians, Many plan inrelationtotheirpay. long-term a with up comes committee a while bonuses of awarding the halt and h sces f h pa rmis to remains plan the of success The criticism. harsh with met has This cannot easilybetornasunder. cleverly toforgeapathsuccess,onethat higher, rate andpolicymakersmustthink rates mustremainatasensible ,albeit retirement ageandlessborrowing. Inflation must competitiveness, anincreaseinthe population growthmustbeencouragedas thisrecession, readjust ifitistosurvive Europe’s recovery. competitiveness byothercountriesthreaten excessive borrowingbysome,andincreased days”. Thegreyingoftheworkforce, we shouldbepursuingthe“newhappy Rather thanareturntothe“goodol’days” circumstances whichnolongerexist. which leadtotheprosperityof1990’s, development. by financing projectswhichboosteconomic and isausefulmeansofstimulatinggrowth lending between countries willalways occur such asChinaandIndia.Borrowing inflows totheUSandEuropefromcountries fixed, itislikelythattherewillstillbecapital US .Oncethefinancial systemshave been as proofofhighreturnsinEuropeandthe endeavour. go somewhere,andlendingisalucrative countries aswell. Allthissaving hadto modus operandinotonlyofbanksbut countries likeChinaandJapan. of theglobalglutinsavings createdby particularly theUScanbeviewed asaresult The excessive borrowingof Europeand Europe, asaneconomyneedsto There was auniquesetofcircumstances The capitalflow oflendingcanbeviewed However borrowinghadbecomethe students payingsuchraptattention. and business once-bored lecture see never will economics you any on in Sit interesting. more lot whole a in live we times the made certainly has crisis this that is consolation only the unfold, to gloom. However as we wait for this saga the fiall to amidst hard positives it’s nd times bleak the into facing college in us of those For exposed. greatly is it which to crisis economic this weather to how get its act together and figure out exactly to begun least at has Ireland meltdown, continue with their defensive world against the fi the nancial around countries As controversy. more even generate to on the cards for discussion the and are bound to as running of the Lisbon 2 referendum are such set issues are Heated issues continue. related and banking crisis the around debates political and economic the that sure be can we many feelthatitisdistinctlylacking. and needed, is leadership clear where confusion engulfing the nation in a time the of indicators are elections early and CUT PRICE TIMES » » » ih oe netit looming, uncertainty more With

be subjecttofurtherreview to takea33%paycutandwill of AIBandBankIreland are The ChiefExecutiveOffi cers ary 31st tor retired effectively onJanu- Patrick Neary, fi nancialregula- founded in1966. lished in1783,whilstAIBwas Bank ofIreland wasestab- T February 24, 2009 RINITY N EWS TRINITY NEWS January 27, 2009 SCIENCE 19

IN BRIEF

Change? A LUKE MAISHMAN

TECHNOLOGY scientist in NUCLEAR FUSION: AN ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEMS? NUCLEAR FUSION is nature’s power source. Stars right across the universe, charge of including our sun, emit light and other radiation powered by the sticking together of many millions of hydrogen nuclei to energy make helium. Physicist and professor Brian Cox has looked at the strategies pursued to make artifi cial nuclear fusion a reality for BBC 2, shown last Tuesday (17th) on their Horizon program. Although nuclear fusion as a viable large scale power option is not yet a possibility, Jet, a small prototype nuclear fusion plant, has been running successfully in the UK for the last three decades.

SPACE EXPLORATION NASA SPACECRAFT MAY HAVE FOUND MARTIAN WATER NASA’S PHOENIX Lander could to make energy the issue foremost on Nobel laure- word as Chu vows to waste no time in have recorded The appointment of Nobel laureate Steve the minds of the best and brightest ate Steve Chu getting the money from the inevitable the fi rst evidence thinkers of our time. It echoes one of who has been stimulus package being given to the U.S. of liquid water on Chu as the 12th US Secretary of Energy Trinity’s own great minds, Professor appointed economy from the government working. Mars - droplets Igor Shvets, who predicted massive Obama’s Secre- He vows to spend over half of the $35- that apparently gives a clear statement of intent from the research into energy effi ciency over the tary of Energy. 40 billion likely to be allotted to him in splashed onto the coming decades during his lecture on an the space of one year. The U.S., it would spacecraft’s leg during landing. A few days after White House of the ‘change’ coming to energy independent Ireland that took appear, is once again the place to be for Phoenix landed on 25 May 2008, it sent back an place during Green Week. Both Shvets scientists. A great scientifi c mind aside, image showing the mysterious splotches on one their energy and environmental policies and Chu have identifi ed the energy Chu will need considerable political of its legs. It has been suggested that the water problem as worthy above all others of prowess to overhaul a conservative was from ice melted by the crafts thrusters as it By Shane Heffernan small feat – the United States currently the attention of the next generation of system of distributing money to projects landed, or that perchlorate salts are acting as Science Correspondent consumes over a billion tonnes of coal scientists as it poses the biggest threat in order to achieve such goals. antifreeze allowing water to be liquid at such low per annum. Chu is also likely to face to our relatively comfortable way of life. Hopefully energy will again solve temperatures. Either way, it seems unlikely that BARACK OBAMA has made a visible opposition against a reduction in coal the problem. In this case, I refer to the mars is able to support life as we know it. attempt distance himself from the energy consumption from coal rich states such seemingly endless energy that Steve and environmental policies of the Bush as North Dakota. Chu has devoted to energy solutions. administration with the appointment Obviously a reduction in coal burning He is not only the fi rst Nobel laureate THE POWER OF APPLE of world renowned physicist Steve leads to a cleaner environment but Chu believes ... climate to hold this most important of positions; Chu. Chu, who was awarded the Nobel where then does the energy come from? change to hold more he is actually the fi rst career scientist STUDY SHOWS ITUNES BETTER prize in 1997 for his work on cooling There are two major initiatives Chu aims to do so. Chu’s credentials nevertheless and trapping ions using laser light, to drive here: First is the use of so called weight than America’s mark him out as ideal for this position. FOR GRADES THAN LECTURES made it clear before congress upon his 4th generation biofuels. These derive He gave up a comfortable academic appointment that America needs to step from agricultural waste, lumber waste, own energy security. career in 2004 to spearhead the A STUDY published up its efforts in harnessing cleaner and or straw. He aims to improve upon the He cites coal, a fuel 4000-person, $650 million Berkeley in December 2008 more effi cient energy sources. So what existing steps that have been taken in lab devoted to renewable and biological by Dani McKinney, a change can we expect to see from one of this area that have seen cars running on with a well-established energy research. Drawn by what he psychologist at the State the world’s biggest nations? biofuels such as ethanol become more bad reputation for calls the “sobering” scale of the climate University of New York Firstly, Chu believes the issue of popular over the last decade. Again change problem, Chu has since devoted in Fredonia, shows that climate change to hold more weight there will be an economic challenge emissions, as his “worst his career to looking for solutions and downloading a lecture than America’s own energy security. He for Chu and indeed for the ministries of inspiring others to do so. He has been from the internet is cites coal, a fuel with a well-established all nations in ensuring that such fuels nightmare”. responsible for many interdisciplinary actually better than bad reputation for emissions, as his can be produced domestically without efforts in solving energy problems, this attending the lecture in person! The study focused “worst nightmare”. America under the damaging food economies. What we won’t see from this year his efforts and ability have been on the new iTunes university, launched by Apple new Chu-Obama energy regime would Second on the list is energy effi ciency. administration, according to Chu and recognised by his country. less than two years ago, and compared the test not, in principle, tolerate coal burning Its back to that old battle of man versus Obama, is the same vast quantities Now as much as during the nation’s results of students who attended a lecture and unless all emissions were pumped the second law of thermodynamics (see of money put into improving nuclear conception, it is once again the time those who just watched an online podcast. The underground. This seems ridiculous this section of the last issue of Trinity waste disposal that marked the Bush for enlightened thinkers such as students who watched the podcast averaged 71%, but it may be a distinct possibility and News for a nice overview of this war) and administration’s time in offi ce. Such Obama and Chu to take centre stage in while those who attended the lecture scored only Chu’s department vows to accelerate Chu has vowed to rally the troops. As spending will not go completely but its America. They have the ability to make 62%. research into identifying ideal geological well as simply throwing more money at priority will be considerably reduced it a world leader in fi ghting the rise of conditions that would permit tonnes research into energy effi ciency, Chu has as the new administration hopes not to global energy demands, and Chu’s work SURPRISING SPECIES of CO2 and sulphur emissions to be called for scientists of all fi elds to devote have all its eggs in the nuclear basket. may be the most important change that pumped into the ground. This will be no more time to energy solutions in a drive Spending is, however, very much the is coming to the nation. SUN SPIDERS SOLIFAGE IS an order of Arachnida, commonly called Sun Spiders, containing more than 1,000 different species. There are a host of urban legends about these Astrobiology: are we all alone? creatures, ranging from exaggerations of their size to horror stories of fl esh eating poisonous species. In fact Sun Spiders are not large, the By Ronan Lyne geology and biology, which assesses biggest having a leg span of 12 centimeters, Deputy Science Editor the possibility of life on other planets and there has only ever been one (unverifi ed) by examining extremophiles here on report of a species with venom, which had no NEW SCIENTIST reports on a new Earth, as well as analysing the chemical way of injecting the venom into victims. bacterial lifeform [Candidatus Desulforudis compounds found on planets in our solar audaxviator], which was found 2.8km system. It is entirely grounded in existing beneath the surface of the Earth in fl uid- scientifi c knowledge. NASA established an EGGHEAD OF THE ISSUE fi lled cracks of a South African mine. astrobiology program in 1960, but the search Candidatus, unlike most other known for life outside earth has suffered many GREGOR MENDEL organisms, extracts all of its nutrients setbacks. SETI [search for extraterrestrial from the environment, and is autotrophic intelligence], has generally eclipsed it in the GREGOR MENDEL, often without photosynthesis - a truly bizarre public eye, and many have suggested that referred to as the “Father of and unprecedented feat. It uses radioactive the search for new life should be terrestrially Genetics” was an Austrian uranium decay to power its metabolic focused, as we still have much to learn priest and scientist who reactions. about this biosphere. Much of the research lived from 1822-1884. He is Previously, it was thought that the has been accused of suffering from carbon most famous for his studies only means of obtaining energy for life chauvinism - the prevailing emphasis on on inheritance in pea plants in the gardens autotrophically [ie without feeding on carbon-based lifeforms. Carbon is highly of the monastery where he lived, testing another organism] involved sunlight, but versatile as a building block of lifeforms, SETI installations like this one have been searching for extra-terrestrial life. some 29,000 plants over a seven year period. this bacterium opens up new possibilities because it can form many different kinds He showed that certain traits are inherited for metabolism, as it lives in isolated of bond. But silicon is also tetravalent. However, the Oparine-Haldane “primordial If life has arisen on other planets, it following particular laws, which are now communitiescommunities devoid of sunlight oror Xenobiology is the study of lifeforms which soup”soup” theorythe in the 1920s proposed a means could appear extremely similar to that referred to as Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance. other spspecies,ecies, meanimeaningng it must mamayy not be like ananythingything encountered by whichwhich self-replicating molecules could found on Earth, due to similar natural obobtaintain aallll ooff ititss nunutrientstrients on earth, and it has been argued that arisearise fromfrom primitive organic compounds. selection events. It may have little or and enerenergygy ffromrom its astrobioloastrobiologistsgists need to think outside the box TheThe Miller-UreyMille experiment in 1952 tested nothing in common at all, and may be eenvironmentnvironment bbyy itself. a lilittlettle mmore.ore. thisthis idea,idea, and demonstrated that the based on entirely different chemistry. ON THIS DAY (24 FEBRUARY) … This iiss a ffascinatingascinating But the most contentious earth’searth’s earlyea environment could lead to Regardless, we are fascinated by the idea of iissuessue in astrobiology is the thethe formationform of organic molecules such intelligent extraterrestrial life, as a society. » HENRY Cavendish, English scientist who develodevelopmentpment uunanswerednanswered qquestionuestion asas aminoamino acids and DNA precursors. Since Many scientists have speculated on the identifi ed hydrogen gas, established that in astrobiology, ooff abiogenesis - how life then,then, therethe have been a myriad models probabilities; the Drake equation estimates water is a compound and determined the and demonstrates the oonn Earth arose from forfor the formationfo of organic compounds. the number of extraterrestrial civilisations density of the Earth, died, in 1810. possibilitpossibilityy of life existinexistingg iinanimatenanimate mmatter.atter. However,However bridging the gap between these in our galaxy which we have even a chance below the surface of MarsMars,, for Originally,Originally, the idea ofof andand self-organising,self-o self-replicating life of encountering. The SETI programme, run » IN 1938 the fi rst commercial application example. By studying such panspermiapanspermia – that Earth hashas provedprove diffi cult. Altman and Cech won by NASA since the 1970s, scans the skies for of nylon began – DuPont began to produce shadow life here on EarthEarth,, was seeded with liflifee thethe NobelNobe Prize in Chemistry in 1989 for signals transmitted to us from intelligent toothbrushes with nylon bristles. Before then we can discover if and how fromfrom other areas of the demonstratingdemonst that RNA could function civilisations. Even the Vatican has declared the bristles were made of wild boar hairs. life can exist outside of the universe – silenced likelike an enzyme.en Since then, RNA that its support for the possibility of intelligent fafamiliarmiliar ““waterwater anandd bibiomolecules”omolecules” that trickytricky cancan catalysecatal its own replication has been life on other planets, insisting that God made »JACQUES DE Vaucanson, French inventor paradigmparadigms.s. question.question. createdcreated ini the lab. From this point onwards, the universe and not just Earth. But perhaps of automata, was born in 1709. Automata Astrobiology is a burgeoning thethe processproce of natural selection, and thus the biggest reason for the Fermi paradox is are robot devices which were of great interdisciplinarinterdisciplinaryy fi eld of research, evolution,evolution can occur. But the transition that they choose not to make contact with signifi cance to industry. involving elements of astronomy, remainsremains elusive. us, for their own good. TRINITY NEWS 20 TRAVEL February 24, 2009 Thailand’s elephant whisperer The Asian Elephant is in grave danger of ex- tinction, partly because of tourism. Travel Editor Derek Larney meets one woman who is fi ghting to reverse this trend in Thailand

HE ASIAN elephant was humans so they are less likely to trample once abundant across the on a few tourists in the future. Baby continent, both wild and elephants are subjected to this torture domesticated. Commonly in virtually all cases and the results used to lift heavy trees produce animals with psychological Twith its trunk in the logging industry, problems who are later reluctant to working elephants proved very useful in breed. Because of the mindset of cruelty helping to destroy the very habitat that on behalf of their owners, the elephant they needed to survive. After logging leads a very hard and disturbed life. was banned in 1988, the Asian elephant The practice of begging with elephants Lek Chailert with Tong Tae. The 3-month-old baby already weighs an impressive 90kg and enjoyed ramming us as we talked. Photo: Derek Larney was found out of work and many in the tourist districts of cities like were moved to the tourism industry, Bangkok also contributes. They have competing with each other to invent Haven, a 2,000 acre plot of land where The daily grind for those who visit working as entertainers and used to very sensitive ears and feet and walking the next trick, each of which involves our elephants can roam free. And fi nally involves getting up close and personal SAVING THE ASIAN ELEPHANT ferry tourists across rivers and through on tarmac around a noisy city out of more and more violence and leaves we frequently give talks, in both Thai with the elephants during feeding times- forests. But these practices have come their natural environment often renders the elephant despondent and broken. and English, on the plight of the Asian these tend to last a while as elephants THE ELEPHANT Nature Park at a cost: in 1900 there were over them disabled in later life. Tourists rarely see this kind of activity elephant”. eat 10% of their own body weight every welcomes both visitors and 100,000 elephants in Thailand; today The tourism industry is a particular which takes place behind closed doors Lek has even used spirituality to day. Later in the afternoon visitors are volunteers. Volunteers stay there remains just under 3,000, a sad culprit. Because of a lack of education but the plummeting elephant numbers help keep the remaining rainforests encouraged to jump in the river that anywhere from a week to a year, remnant of years of abuse and cruelty. on behalf of the owners on how to take in Thailand is testament to how the and jungles pristine for the elephants. runs through the park and to help bathe working up close and personal To put this into perspective, there are care of their elephants many live less u n r e g u l a t e d t o u r i s m Using an ingenious idea she has tied the elephants. This is the part of the in the park to help care for the currently 500,000 African elephants than half their normal lifespan. Tourists industry is driving thousands of saffron cloths to trees in day that the elephants seem to enjoy herd. For more information on remaining and they are also considered are keen to ride atop an elephant but this animal t o the area. Under Buddhism the tree is the most; they take great pleasure in how to volunteer or visit the to be endangered. often fail to realise that the few baht it extinction. then considered to represent a persons lying in the river and being scrubbed- park see the website www. The problem lies in a couple of key costs them goes nowhere near supplying B u t o n e soul and locals are reluctant to cut them often thanking their helpers with a well elephantnaturepark.org. For areas. One of these is illegal logging an elephant with its daily requirement w o m a n i n down for fear of retribution in a later directed spray of water. information on the plight of the which destroys the habitat of the few of over 150kgs of food. Malnourished n o r t h e r n Thailand life. Whilst Lek has given her elephants a Asian elephant see www.eleaid. remaining wild elephants. Another is elephants are common in the tourist is at the forefront of As we walk amongst some of the herd, marvellous second chance in life it is sad com, www.elephantcenter.com. the practice of pajan, a ritual ceremony trade, as are those with their tusks elephant conservation the elephants seem drawn towards her. to say that not all of these magnifi cent Also download ‘Elephants without that sees an elephant caged in a ‘crush’ cut off for the ivory trade. Even more a n d refuses to Years of mothering have made these beasts are so lucky. Successive Thai Borders’, a white paper on the for days on end and beaten with steel disturbing allow these animals trust Lek and standing in the governments have been notoriously state of the Asian elephant. bars and nail studded planks of wood. is the animals to middle of them holds no fear for her unstable; frequent coups and power This is done in order die without a whatsoever. As Tong Tae, the 3-month- struggles mean that change is slow to make this fi ght. Sangduen old baby plays a game of push and to come. Despite the elephant being Through programs of education and wild beast ‘Lek’ Chailert shove with Lek she explains her unique a national symbol of Thailand the conservation they are slowly winning afraid has been working training process that sets her apart from authorities in Bangkok have yet to wake the hearts and minds of local people o f with elephants from the mainstream: “Here at the Nature up to the very real danger it is in. To go and showing them that the elephant a very young age, Park we believe in training through from 100,000 elephants to 3,000 in a population is truly fi nite. a fact recognised by positive reinforcement. We never hit or century is alarming, it is a tide that is Local people are beginning to play Time magazine when they beat elephants, we train them through unrelenting. their part but it is also the responsibility awarded her a ‘Hero of a system of trust and reward. This way It is even more disheartening of tourists too. Although they may be Asia’ award in 2005. A in the country for a short time their love of these animals actions, and those of the millions that has inspired her to As we walk amongst some of the herd the will follow, are a key factor in saving the set up the Elephant Nature Park Asian elephant. which is a sanctuary for injured and elephants seem drawn towards her. Years of When tourists begin to question the advent of rescued elephants just north of Chiang mothering have made these animals trust Lek and treatment of elephants and vote with elephant Mai. Currently Lek has 34 elephants their feet owners will have no choice but s h o w s in her care and a few more are due to standing in the middle of them holds no fear for to wake up and listen. where the arrive quite soon. They range in age her whatsoever It is of course natural for tourists to animals are from a 3-month-old baby elephant to be curious and want to interact with expected to show an 85-year-old adult. As I walk with the elephant is more natural and less when one considers than many this magnifi cent animal but it is vitally off a catalogue Lek across the park she explains to me likely to strike out. Each elephant has Asian elephants are in less developed important that they do so in a manner of tricks, each the various facets of her conservation its own mahout (carer) who stays with countries than Thailand such as Burma, that promotes sustainability. learnt through initiative, “We have set up Jumbo his elephant for life. This builds a strong countries where the governments care As Lek puts it: “The future of the regular beatings Express, which is a mobile clinic that bond over time, elephants are a very nothing for their people and encourage elephant depends on us, this generation, and under duress. It brings vets and medicine to elephants in intelligent animal and never forget a illegal logging as a source of revenue. here and now. To not work towards that is now possible to see remote mountainous areas. Second to face.” But the Asian elephant can be saved; goal is to deny our children and our elephants dancing, that we are involved in the reforestation The Elephant Nature Park derives the fi ght is not lost yet. With strong children’s children a chance to meet playing football of large plots of land in order to create a much of its revenue to fund conservation willed people like Lek on board and these wonderful creatures for time and paint pictures: natural environment for the elephants. from tourism. Visitors are welcome to international NGO’s like the WWF and immortal. And shame on us if we let their trainers are We have also established Elephant come for a day, a week or even longer. Care for the Wild there is still hope. that happen.” J1 guide to a weird and wonderful summer

The Machine, Kanye West, Radiohead, takes place in the Black Rock Desert, By Paul McDonnell TOUR AMERICA’S WACKIEST Deputy Travel Editor Bloc Party, Nine Inch Nails and The 120 miles north of Reno, Nevada on the Raconteurs all took to the stage in Saturday night before Labour Day (Sept Collinsville, Illinois Music Festivals 2008 with Jane’s Addiction, ACDC and 5th this year). Circa 50,000 create a World’s largest bottle of Catsup Fancy a pilgrimage with a twist? Queens of the Stone Age mooted to commune of radical self-expression, Murphy, North Carolina Bethlehem, Pennsylvania plays host follow in their footsteps this year. surrounding themselves abstract art, World’s largest Ten to Musikfest 2009. Stretching over The Coachella Valley Music and Arts mutant vehicles and temples whilst 10 days between July 31 and August Festivals (thankfully abbreviated to guided by the ever-present ten principles Commandments 9, with around 1,000 free shows and Coachella) doesn’t have an abundance of Burning Man: radical inclusion, Middleton, Connecticut attracting in excess of 1,000,000 fans history or legendary debauchery to rely gifting, decommodifi cation, radical World’s largest Jack-in-the-box Musikfest is North America’s biggest on. It’s a relatively small three day event self-reliance, radical self-expression, Neillsville, Wisconsin music festival. 2008 saw a diverse range that takes place in the Colorado desert in communal effort, civic responsibility, World’s largest talking cow of acts spanning from Avril Lavigne to exceedingly hot daytime temperatures leaving no trace, participation and Superior, Arizona Boston with some Earth, Wind & Fire (upwards of 40°C). What Coachella immediacy. The festival culminates in World’s smallest museum thrown in for good measure. While the lack in size and amenities it more than the spectacular burning of the giant La Puente, California line-up may not be as impressive as the makes up for in a line-up that crams as Comic Con Attendees. Photo By Heath Bar wooden ‘man’ structure. This has World’s largest donut big guns of Europe 1 million people can’t many headliners as is humanly possible progressively grown in size with 2008 Rockingham, North Carolina be wrong and the atmosphere will no into those three days. If you happen to animation, video-game and fantasy will rival Subway at lunchtime. To avoid having the tallest ever man at 84ft. Each World’s largest strawberry- doubt be electric. Lodging information be in California between April 17-19th afi cionados. The largest of its kind in the resale shenanigans of last year, 2009 year is themed, 2009 being the year of shaped house and direction can be found at www. this year and have a sudden urge to the world, it has steadily grown over tickets are non-transferable. Register Evolution: A Tangled Bank. Tickets can musikfest.org with ticket information go camping, The Verve, Fatboy Slim, recent years to the extent that 2008 saw online at http://www.comic-con.org/cci/ be found on http://tickets.burningman. for headline events to be confi rmed. For Prince, Portishead, Justice, Santogold, the fi rst incidence of the convention for your $75 4 day pass to the San Diego com/#pricing and are price-ranked world, The Jerry Springer Show. Voted J1ers it presents a mellow grass-roots Vampire Weekend, MIA, Hot Chip, being sold-out prior to opening and Convention Centre. When a FAQ for an starting at $210; the idea being you by TV Guide Magazine as the worst options for capping off an American Calvin Harris, Boys Noize, Erol Alkan, exorbitantly-priced tickets being fl ogged event contains the query ‘Can I bring my buy the most expensive ticket you can television show of all time it proves summer. MGMT, Roger Waters are all more than on eBay weeks in advance. sword or lightsaber?’ you know you’re in in order to allow less well-off people defi ant in ratings, often beating the likes The legendary Lollapalooza will take happy to keep you company. Comic-Con has come to demand for a treat. The fun times start on July to attend the event. Burning man is a of Oprah. The salacious, cringe-worthy place in Grant Park Chicago, bearing respect from those in the industry and 23rd and carry on right through until completely non-commercial event with bloodbath is currently on its 18 series particular weight this year due to Conventions, Conventions, continues to attract major guests such as the 26th.May the force be with you. no trading or sponsorship. The website with taping running from September Barack Obama’s presidential win there. Conventions Matt Groening, Elijah Wood, The Rock, buringman.com should be studied to April each year. Last minute tickets Aimed at alternative rock, punk and hip- American conventions often come with Nicolas Cage, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Will Twisted Firestarters meticulously before you make the be occasionally obtained in the studio at hop fans it has acquired a reputation a stigma that associates attendees with Smith and for some reason Paris Hilton, According to the organisers: ‘Trying plunge. Details on water, fi rst-timers NBC Tower, Columbus Drive, Chicago for the wildest festival, synonymous weirdos dressed as the favourite Cyclops an eclectic bunch it has to be said. This to explain what Burning Man is to guide and what to avoid are all lined out but pre-booking is advised. Free booking with mosh pits, crowd surfi ng and the and nerds who want their picture taken year marks the 40th anniversary of the someone who has never been to the in great detail to avoid confusion through www.jerryspringertv.com will odd riot. In 2005 Lollapalooza made with Princess Leia. Generally this con and it will be the biggest and best to event is a bit like trying to explain what avoid disappointment. Alternatively to a triumphant return after failures to assertion is bang on the money but for date. However to avoid disappointment a particular color looks like to someone Battle of the Hillbillies be a guest, email ginaTVproducer@ revive a disenchanted fan-base who those of you into that kind of stuff, 2009 be prepared: book accommodation now, who is blind…to truly understand the What better way to fi nish a J1 adventure yahoo.com, you never know you may saw the promoters as selling out the has plenty to offer. Comic-Con is a multi- bring your own food or prepare to cough event one must participate’. In essence than to witness the spectacle of probably make it into Jerry’s Top Ten Fights. anti-mainstream mantra. Rage Against genre gathering of over 125,000 comic, up and brace yourself for queues that its is a celebration of creation which the most infamous talk-show in the TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 SPORTRT 2121 SPECIAL FEATURE: NATIONAL SPORT Cycling and the war on drugs Neil Cullen THE COMMENTARY BOX TIGER TO POUNCE ON DOVE TIGER WOODS will make his long awaited return to competitive golf this month at the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship at Dove Mountain, Arizona. He will enter the tournament as defending champions and will be aiming to win it for the fourth time in his career, having also claimed victories in 2003 and 2004. There has been much debate surrounding Tiger’s return. Is he fi t enough? Will he still be the player he once was? Only time will answer these questions but another question which springs to mind- why now? The decision to make his return at a matchplay event has both pros and cons. The nature of the format means players go head to head in a sustain themselves through what was at Steroid-assisted authorities hadn’t turned such a blind knockout style and therefore do not count their With so many cyclists turning to performance the time an even more gruelling event bikers in the eye towards many of the offenders, it’s score against the rest of the fi eld. Players do not than that of today. This unashamed and Tour de France: not unrealistic to estimate that most, if keep scorecards and do not necessarily have to enhancing (and occasionally mind expanding) on the whole open abuse was to continue is it really pos- not all, of the “great” cyclists of the past even fi nish a hole if they are unable to beat their relatively unchecked throughout the sible to clean up decades would be nothing more than opponent’s score on that hole. drugs, Domhnall O Sullivan asks whether following decades, with riders such cycling? dried ink in the thick volume of cycling’s This has obvious advantages for Woods in as the previously mentioned Anquetil dopers. Quite simply, without drugs, the that his individual score will not be there for all to the sport will ever be able to kick the habit questioning how else one was expected sport is nothing. And any sport needs criticise and examine. He also has the opportunity to race over 20 kilometre long mountain champions. It needs fi gureheads- Pélés, to progress through a number of rounds without JACQUES ANQUETIL, the famous fi ve- desensitised to these ever more frequent passes. In 1967 however, which the Alis, McEnroes and Bolts. These are the having to fi re on all cylinders if his opponents time Tour de France winner of the 1960s, scandals, are nevertheless still shocked infamous death of British rider Tom images of sport that not only capture happen to not play well on the particular day. On was once asked how often he resorted to and disillusioned by the revelations Simpson who collapsed on the slopes the imagination of the general public, the other side of the coin, if he plays badly, fi nds taking drugs to boost his performances. that many of their heroes are in fact of the Mont Ventoux was to change all but also attract event organisers and he is not up to scratch and loses, he only has to “Only when I really need to” he replied. “cheats”. that. The cause? The blistering heat sponsors. From a business perspective endure one round. Questioned as to how frequently this Yet somewhat paradoxically, a no doubt but, more tellingly, the lethal cycling would be dead in the water. What happens later in the tournament, however, was the case however, the answer was greater understanding of the sport combination of amphetamines and So what am I (and my cyclist friend) is a source of concern. If Tiger does bring his a much more candid “oh, almost all of cycling and the history of doping alcohol that were discovered in his trying to say? Do we, and should you, A-game and makes it to the fi nal, something which the time”. Given that this quote dates practices with which it is so entwined system by the post-mortem. explicitly condone drug-taking in he could arguably achieve even with his B-game, from almost fi fty years ago, and taking seems to lend itself to an attitude of not Yes, amphetamines and alcohol. The cycling? Of course not. But what is he faces playing 90 holes of golf in four days, one into account the massive advances that caring so much about the issue. Ask any revelation that riders were fuelling up essential for the general public to realise round more than a standard 72 hole tournament. have been made in pharmaceutical and well-informed amateur rider or cycling with a diet more suited to somebody is that in the sport, a rider who doesn’t Tiger Woods is renowned for not entering a medical procedures since then, do we enthusiast what their opinion is on the preparing for a Prodigy concert caused dope is an exception. The scandals of tournament unless he believes he can win. Why really believe that modern riders are matter and it will invariably be one of both outrage (among the public) the last decade which have seen many should this case be any different? His mental scaling alpine passes on nothing more indifference - most professional cyclists and fear for the health of the riders of cycling’s star riders exposed is strength is second to none. than a couple of baguettes and a bottle dope, and that’s the way it always has (among race organisers and the cycling evidence that, despite the declarations One does question, however, whether his knee of Vittel? Well, no, we don’t. And they been. But how can one be so callously administration). Dope testing on a more of teams and riders to the contrary, could handle 90 holes of intense matchplay. He don’t. With virtually every cyclist who accepting and unconcerned about what serious scale was introduced, but rather doping in the peloton appears to be as has openly admitted that most of the golf he has has plonked his steroid-swollen shanks the media and general public agree is a than deter the riders it simply inspired endemic as ever. So should we do as played recently in practice has been aided by the onto the podium of the Tour de France problem that is irreparably damaging them to experiment with new and the cycling authorities over the ages use of a motorised cart but these are not allowed in in the past 10 years being discredited the sport of cycling? Our cyclist friend’s harder-to-detect products - from the have done and turn a blind eye to this professional tournaments. On a course measuring or at least doubted, it is clear that response? Doping in the peloton has hormonal altering drugs of the 1970s seemingly unsolvable problem? Again, 7,800 yards, does Tiger have the walking fi tness doping practices are still very much gone on too long simply to be eradicated such as cortisone to the testosterone of no. But what else is essential to realise to make it around fi ve times, not having walked a alive in today’s peloton. The question is by a spate of well-meaning drug tests and the 1980s and fi nally to the superdrug is that a century of almost unrestrained round in competition since last June? however, what is to be done, if anything? suspensions. It has become entrenched of the 1990s and the present day, EPO. drug-taking within the sport cannot We are again encountering issues which can Do we even care? in the culture of the sport. Besides, if Riders have always tried to stay one step simply be reversed overnight. So the only be answered with time. The coming months, Business does. Sponsor after everybody’s doped, isn’t it fair to argue ahead of the detectors. recent (apparent) effort of cycling’s however, have suddenly become very exciting sponsor have begun to withdraw their that on a competitive level it’s as equally Surely if we know which drugs were administration to clean up the sport’s times in the world of golf, particularly from an Irish patronage of cycling teams in recent fair as if everybody was clean? being used and when, why haven’t act should be neither completely perspective. In Tiger’s absence, Padraig Harrington years, wary of being associated with the A quick look at the history of drug- more riders and “champions” been banked upon nor disdained. It’s going has added two Major Championships to his trophy negative image of doping. Similarly, a taking in the sport is suffi cient to at tested positive and exposed? Why is it to take a long time before cycling can cabinet and Rory McIlroy has rapidly ascended series of drug scandals throughout the least corroborate our friend’s fi rst only now that such a concerted effort be transformed into anything even the world rankings into the top 20, picking up the course of the 2007 Tour provoked two observation - the irrefutable and long- is being made to defi nitively stamp out remotely resembling a clean sport. And Dubai Desert Classic en route. They will now both prominent German broadcasters to standing link between doping and doping in cycling? It’s simple. For the if the history of how drugs have fuelled have the opportunity to test themselves against suspend their TV coverage of the race cycling. Riders as far back as the 1920s same reason that our cyclist friend has it since its early foundations is anything the world number one, a ranking which Woods at its midway point. And the public, took massive amounts of cocaine to such a laissez-faire attitude towards to go by, this could even prove to be has been able to maintain, despite not competing although becoming more and more boost alertness and energy and to drug-taking in the sport. If the cycling impossible. since last June. This statistic alone speaks volumes, not only about the ability of the great man, but also about the gulf in standard between him and his fellow competitors- hence why some believe he can win tournaments without even being back to his best. After his victory at the U.S. Open last June, Looking beyond the Premiership his last tournament before his extended absence, Woods sat on top of the rankings on 21.5 points. Phil Mickelson sat in second place on 10.2. This By Sean McGuinness a UFC cage fi ght than the quality of the wins overall. club, Juventus. means very little to those who don’t understand beautiful game. Having said that, watching Our most telling fact however is that Undoubtedly the most attractive football the world ranking system, which happens to be Bolton play Wigan does remind me of that England have lifted the World Cup on a in the Premier League is played by a team most, even within the world of golf. But consider ARE YOU a football fan or a fan of football? notorious ancestor of association football, single occasion and have as recently as ridiculed for its adherence to the principle this, at that point in time, the gap between Woods I think it is true of many of us that we rugby union. last year failed to qualify for the European of one touch football. The term “beautiful” and Mickelson was larger than the gap between have fallen into the unfortunate trap of Those of you who agree with Mr Hansen Championship. The winners of Euro 2008, was once warranted to describe the football Mickelson and the player ranked number 1,000 in the former. A football fan is an isolated will remind the fan of football of last year’s as we cannot forget, were Spain, playing league but only one team is worthy of this the world! gentleman; typical of this man is his almost Champions League Final contested by two fl owing, attacking and edge of your seat mantle. Arsenal, under Arsene Wenger’s Mickelson has failed to capitalise on his rival’s irrational devotion to a team based far from Premiership teams and the phenomenon football. This, of course, existed in true tutelage, would suggest there’s something absence and now sits in fi fth on the ranking table his local club or anything approaching it that is Cristiano Ronaldo when he’s not busy contrast to the confused, over hyped and of substance in “pretty football”. Dribbling with Sergio Garcia having moved up to second. A and the undiluted and worrisome tendency crashing Ferraris in conspicuously empty tragic formulae of association football in and playing the ball on the ground are its signifi cant gap still exists, however, and with Tiger’s to focus all his attention on one league and tunnels. The fan of football will respond by England. enthralling characteristics, which have been return, one feels its size will only begin to get twenty-two players on a Saturday afternoon. stating the following. Between the years of Football in the Premiership is played undermined and subsumed by the reliance bigger. The fan of football, conversely, is the person 1982 and 2009 there have been only two at a hundred miles an hour, designed to on the long ball, straight-line pace and Whatever happens over the coming who has discovered that, despite what World Players of the Year (according to the accommodate the modern man’s attention stamina. This is where Alan Hansen comes tournaments, all eyes will be fi rmly focused on the Daily Mirror exclaims, there exists European Sports Magazine) that played span. Without the giant fl amethrowers at into his own in his ability to justify this power the fi rst Major Championship of the 2009 season, football outside the confi nes of the English in England, Michael Owen and Cristiano the Carling Cup Final each year I doubt shift away from the fan of football towards the U.S. Masters at Augusta National Golf Club premiership and that may achieve the Ronaldo. Seventeen of those slots are anyone would watch it. This speed at which the English football fan. in April. The world’s top players all plan their standard of what might truly be called “the occupied by Italian based professionals. the Premiership is played obscures the Is the standard the Premier League schedules around the majors and they are the ones beautiful game”. That however is unfortunately generous defi ciencies in tactics and technique when sets itself one of fi nancial volatility and everybody wantsnts to winwin.. If Woods does not win Where is this football I hear you ask and of me, seeing as this doesn’t even conform to compared to Italy, for example. English spiraling debt coinciding with pointlessly between now and then but why haven’t Mark Lawrenson and Jamie the FIFA World Player of the Year format, teams, or should I say franchises, currently predictable results? “Is that a rhetorical does win the MMasters,asters, hhee Redknapp mentioned it? There exists a under which no English based player has employ some of the most inexperienced question?” I hear West Ham United ask. The will consider itt a jobjob magical place called continental Europe won since its inception in 1991. The Ballon managers in European football’s top fan of Football awaits with trepidation the well done. Thee llatestatest where, in place of the cultured English long D’or or European Footballer of the Year was divisions. In stark contrast. Italian leagues departure of Mr. Abramovich when he fi nds odds make himm 9/9/44 ball for starters and the two footed tackle won this year by the impressive Cristiano are littered with coaches who can claim a new plaything, namely the hopes of sports favourite. for the main course, we are treated to the all Ronaldo. The award was also won by decades of football expertise continuing up fans elsewhere. Our impolite new enemy Mr. The signs arere you can eat buffet of tactical nous and the Michael Owen while playing for Liverpool in through division upon division. Recession should have some home truths to ominous. On hhisis swing, forgotten art of dribbling. 2001, however prior to that the last English Take as an example the coaches of teams share with the Premier League’s less than he claims that it is so The heroes of this strange and player to win was Kevin Keegan in 1979 placed tenth in the respective top divisions frugal inhabitants who think that paying much better thanhan it unreported place are not Sir “speculative while representing Hamburg in Germany. last year of England, Spain and Italy and someone more than he’s worth will make has ever been.. HHee alalsoso shot” Frank Lampard or Sir “spit-a-lot” The most recent recipients of all three of the the concurrent experience of their head him a better player. Cue the Kieron Dyer explains, “I cann actuaactuallylly El Hadji Diouf but men such as Gonzalo above mentioned awards, Fabio Cannavaro coaches. Firstly West Ham who are currently disappearing act jokes. hit into my left leg without Higuain of Real Madrid and Amauri of and Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite or managed by Gianfranco Zola, a distinguished The Daily Mirror, however, will not loosen my bones moving.ving. It’s a nice Juventus, to say nothing of Werder Bremen’s Kaka to us, have both won these accolades former player whose tenure as a coach its grip on the perceptions of the football feeling.” We alll know Tiger is Diego. These players do not appear while competing for Il Scudetto. It would be amounts to that which he has endured in the fan and allow entry into the promised land a ferocious animal,imal, but a Tiger on Match of the Day or any Sky Sports remiss of me to forget the phenomenon that past fi fteen weeks as struggling head coach. of one touch football a la Fiorentina. Most feeling physicallyally better than equivalent; nor do they feature in the Bible was Ronaldinho, between 2004 and 2006, or Second is Spain’s Deportivo la Coruna, who continental sides are not deemed worthy ever before andnd swinging better according to Alan Hansen. Mr Hansen refers Mr. Lionel Messi at present. at this moment are managed by Miguel of Andy Gray’s usual scattered nonsense than when he wwasas winning to the Premiership is “the greatest league All this incontrovertible evidence is Angel Lotina. Mr Lotina’s nineteen years on a Saturday evening. Most likely this is a Major Championshipsonships wiwillll in the world”. Why conform to anything but happily glossed over by the football fan. of fi rst team management include seven blessing in disguise as he would probably surely increasee hhisis autauthorityhority this elusive standard backed by defi cient Ignorance, after all, is bliss. The most years in the Primera Liga in Spain. Finally, misrepresent those teams too. as the biggest cat ooff them all. evidence and a lack of coverage of foreign successful nation in the Champion’s League Genoa’s Gian Piero Gasperini’s eighteen If this article made you watch Deportivo In any case, all otothershers bbeware.eware. leagues? Mr Hansen’s contentions are is once again Italy with 11 winners and 14 years of managerial expertise and success la coruna against the likes of Espanyol The Tiger is comingoming out to pplaylay based on his own infamous three pronged runners up. The most successful team is eclipse Mr Zola’s considerably. Nine of these instead of the torturous Sunderland against again. test; “pace, power and aggression”, a test known even to the football fan; the world’s years have been accumulated climbing Blackburn then in the infamous words of seemingly more appropriate to assessing most famous club, Real Madrid have nine through the ranks at Italy’s most succesful Andy Gray “take a bow son, take a bow.” TRINITY NEWS 22 SPORT February 24, 2009

BOXING HOCKEY Trinity take on Oxford Firsts in stunning win SCORE SUTTONIANS 0 DUHC 4

By Henry Butler

EXCURSIONS TO the Sutton Park brillo-pad, bestraddled by lofty barbed- wire barricades and set alongside the quaint local cemetery, are typically a jolly affair. However, with the previous two outings evincing painful memories for Trinity (one that saw a 5-0 drubbing in the driving rain and the other abandoned on the whims of an umpire who had forgotten his thermals) the car-ride down was a particularly sombre one. Ben Hewitt, for whom icy astroturf is a particularly rasping subject, was intensely irritable as he watched the mercury in his pocket thermometer plunge to a distressing Mark Jones, left, ducks a blow from Trinity’s Moss Dempsey in the 71kg bout. Photo: Jessica Pakenham-Money 3 degrees – memories of the match in Weston called off 8 minutes from time, Aengus Stanley looks for a way through. Photo: Jessica Pakenham-Money By Conor James McKinney most of the spectators. The judges saw as Queen Elizabeth and co. looked on and his resulting worthless hat-trick, College Sport Editor it differently, giving the Oxford man disapprovingly. still grating at the northern rock. a great clamour of mockery ensued in place of the injured Johnny Orr the benefi t of a majority decision to Next up was a mouthwatering contest In spite of this, the warm-up went and, when the midfi elder soon went (hamstring) and had the fortunate charge THE BOXING fi xture with Oxford the accompaniment of some distinctly between the excellent Sean Mulvaney ahead as usual and, with Johnny Orr toppling off the pitch in a vain attempt of being left perpetually unmarked by University in the Exam Hall is one of unsporting hisses. of Trinity, whose fan club were in full and Brian Cleere having concluded to collect another misplaced pass, the the aforementioned and now bitterly the best sporting events in the Trinity Ed Fitzgerald, a former Cambridge voice, and Stuart Garman, the Oxford their characteristic “good-cop/bad- irascible Suttonian had to volunteer idle number 10. Unsurprisingly then, calendar. It’s partly to do with the venue student, was billed as a man with a captain. The bout went down at suitably cop” routine in the huddle, the men himself for substitution. What followed to fi nish off a long period of patient – very few student events take place in special interest in getting one over on his high tempo, but an excited crowd saw in yellow instructed the boys in green can only be described as a case study in passing and sustained tempo, Butler the not-so-Public Theatre nowadays opponent in the 60kg class. Tom Nicholls Mulvaney trapped in the corner and on to set the game in motion. The start a sportsman’s astoundingly thorough appeared at the top of the D to fl ick – and the atmosphere created by the had the reach, though, and never looked the ropes too many times for comfort. was suffi ciently crisp in the passing and utterly comprehensive loss of over a logged Sutton goalkeeper. Both combination of pumping music and threatened by the constantly weaving Garman went in low to negate the department and with Barry Glavey equilibrium. The aggrieved man Gray and Hewitt swiped at the ball in an baying crowd as the fi ghts get underway. Irishman. An aggressive second round height advantage and ultimately pulled restored to centre-back in Ronan Pelow’s stalked, hyena-like, up behind the on- unashamed attempt at goal-poaching It’s also nice to have it back; according put the result beyond doubt and put off a win to seal victory for the Blues, mid-season shake-up, there was an air of looking substitutes, plunged the butt of but, unfortunately for them, it was the to Michael McClure, President of DU Oxford 3-0 up in the 11-fi ght series. The 6-3 with two fi ghts to go. But Gibbons calm in the Trinity camp that had been his stick into the spinal column of one name “Butler” that was to be submitted Boxing Club, Oxford ceased making the next home fi ghter Donnchada Jackson and Blick certainly dispelled any notions noticeably wanting in the early season. of his agitators, and scurried away back to the Leinster branch later that day. trip over in 1969 at the outbreak of the faired no better against the almighty of them considering their 60kg clash a Having said this, the Suttonians did have to his den. That umpire Keith didn’t see There was only one occurrence Troubles. The successful resurrection bulk of Adam Levine. He did well dead rubber; another superb fi ght was the better of the opening ten minutes the incident is understandable, as his that could have rounded off the Gary of the fi xture in the last few years has initially to avoid some ferocious crosses characterised by the hyperactivity of and the Glavey-Gorman stronghold was eyes were fi rmly on the game, but to Neville cup-tie in a more impressive given the club some excellent publicity and hooks, but when Levine fi nally made the man in red, dodging and ducking forced to work hard to maintain the 0-0 suggest that it escaped the radar of the fashion and that was for Aengus “foie and lucrative audiences. Although contact with all his power most of the constantly. A smart 1-2 by Blick that send scoreline. However, with Ronan Pelow’s omniscient “Smoky” Joe Connelly Esq. gras” Stanley to open his account there were some empty seats on Friday crowd shuddered in sympathy. Jackson him onto the ropes midway through the new and improved “three second rule” would be an insult to his whistle and to with Trinity after four years of asking. evening, the fact that most were clearly did manage to land a few of his own and second put manners on him, and after still ringing in the twenty-two Trinity his 20 years experience as a security Having driven down the right hand side preparing to hit the town afterwards the start of Round 3 but was blooded an intense third round it was unanimous ears, the passing was becoming more guard at Aer Lingus. with characteristic power and panache added to what Mr. McClure described for his trouble. Levine looked the more for Oxford. probing and cracks began to appear in On this occasion however, somewhat Stanley looked to be in on goal. The as a “fantastic night”. tired come the end but it was too late Trinity captain Ronan O’Brien, who the previously steadfast Sutton facade. unbelievably, Connelly was indeed bench was again on its feet and even In keeping with the splendour of the for the man in red to recover and he too made a showman-like entrance to the The effervescent and ever-present otherwise engaged. With Johnny Orr’s Alan Bell had put his fl irting on hold. surroundings Trinity had the silverware lost by a majority decision. It was left to arena to the tune of Jump Around by Stuart Cinnamond continued to fi nd the Captain’s armband having slipped, and The angle was fast tightening and with on display and the referees’ regulation Phil Hunt, therefore, to record Trinity’s House of Pain, restored some pride with right space at the right time and linking only the letters “APT” now showing, the goal-mouth fi lling with defenders white was extra crisp, with a bow tie fi rst win of the evening just before the a great win over Vince Vitalie. O’Brien’s with Hewitt down the right, worked to action had to be taken and adjustments and poachers alike - it looked to be too to match. Unfortunately for the vocal interval in his 75kg bout. jab proved the difference, leaving Vitalie pick out Chris Tyrrell at the far post who had to be made. The number 10 got away late for Stanley. However, every goose home support, affairs in the ring didn’t If you didn’t know it was an Ireland- bloodied and on the ropes several slapped home past the fl apping padded without a card, but at least Orr played has his day, and with a neat wobble he go the way they expected. Trinity coach England affair, the listing of Finn times before the end. Despite a 7-4 man. Celebrations did not ensue – not on with honesty. Somewhere in the caressed the dimpled Mercian into the Dan Curran was confi dent that the O’Callaghan v Richard Pickering after win overall, Oxford coach Des Bracket because Chris is unfamiliar with the aftermath of the confusion Andy Gray roof of the net. This time celebrations fi ghters were relatively well paired (“you the break might just have given you a obviously felt that it had been to close process, but rather, as he later told me had popped up to touch in a second goal. did erupt: coaches, managers, team- match them to what you’ve been told, clue. As Pickering led with a dangerous for comfort, saying that “overall I think over an iced tea: “It wouldn’t be right, With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, mates, fans, journalists and hangers-on sometimes somebody’s overmatched left, the Trinity man kept his chin low it was evenly matched” but noting that it my brother was on the opposition and I the Trinity manager Alan Bell had been became locked in a uniting embrace but usually it’s fair play”) but the fi rst and kept things tight in the opening was wrong to expect too much from his owe my career to Sutton Hockey Club.” consoling a teary Trinity News camera- on the edge of the fi eld. Only one lone fi ght was a mismatch that was brought rounds before tiring in the third, and the inexperienced charges, some of whom He did go on to say however, that with lady in the dug out, while the substitutes fi gure didn’t join the melee. Trinity’s to a halt in Round 1, Chris Pearson Blues racked up another win. Cliff Mark were fi ghting only their fi rst or second ball-to-backboard contact registering and coach had been remonstrating with Chris Tyrrell was in an embrace of his drawing blood almost immediately. stepped up next to face Ronan Murtagh, bouts. at 95 decibels on his dB meter, he was the Sutton bench. The goal might have own. “I still love you,” he whispered as The crowd were at least able to get whose height advantage meant that that pleased with the result. gone unnoticed on the sideline, but not he comforted his younger Suttonian their teeth into the next bout (hold Oxford fi ghter was constantly seeking The most indisputably controversial by Mr Connelly. 2-0 at half time. brother with a hug, “I still love you.” the Mike Tyson jokes, please) as Moss to close. Despite not being particularly THE TEAM moment of the match came just before The second period continued in Dempsey, in the red of Trinity, and mobile, however, Murtagh was able to half time. With no-one able to take much the same vein as the fi rst, with Mark Jones put on a great showing. fend him off well and only a late Mark the game by the scruff for Sutton, no amount of Sutton aggravation THE TEAM E. Fitzgerald (60kg), M. Gibbons The Trinity man displayed excellent surge at the end put his victory in any their frustration began to build. The upsetting the resolute Trinity cause. (60kg), B. Dermody (63.5kg), R. J. Hegarty, B. Cleere, D. Coady, B. footwork, one particularly neat step doubt. astoundingly lazy Suttonian number 10, In particular, Craig Moore was a man Glavey, N. Odlum, A. Gray, A. Stanley, backwards in the second to avoid a Oxford might have expected normal O’Brien (67kg), S. Mulvaney (69kg), comfortably residing in Brian Cleere’s with an impressive new-found resolve, R. Murtagh (71kg), M. Hamilton J. Orr (c), S. Cinnamond, C. Tyrrell, tremendous uppercut epitomising his service to resume when the imposingly proverbial pocket, vented at the cheering perhaps the impending indulgences of B. Hewitt class. Jones came out well in the third to named Gidion Elford, took the ring (71kg), P. Hunt (75kg), P. Linney Trinity bench; “You think you’re gonna his own Valentine’s Day spurring him land a lot of hits, but Dempsey landed a against Peter Linney in another 75kg (75kg), F. O’Callaghan (75kg), D. Jack- win do ya?” With the scoreline not on, and his work rate was nothing short son (81kg). Subs: C. Moore,T. Humphreys, H. couple of crowd-pleasers before the bell bout, but in a contest between two very helping his cause and the balance of of tireless. Butler, I. Gorman that sealed a Trinity win in the eyes of similar fi ghters, Linney had the mastery the game evidently tipped Trinity’s way, Henry Butler had left the trenches

MEN’S RUGBY MEN’S HOCKEY First XV AIL DIVISION 2 SPORTS LEINSTER DIVISION 2 Team P W D L F A TB LB Pts Pos Team P W D L F A Pts triumph in 1. Lansdowne 11 9 1 1 204 101 2 1 41 ROUNDUP 1. Clontarf 10 10 0 0 56 10 30 2. Bray 10 7 0 3 26 15 19 2. UCC 10 8 1 1 202 116 2 1 37 Results and fi xtures to March 31 3. Ballynahinch 10 7 0 3 293 126 5 2 35 3. Suttonians 10 6 0 4 44 19 18 thriller 4. Bruff 11 7 1 2 138 107 1 2 33 4. Skerries 10 6 0 4 32 22 18 5. Old Crescent 10 7 0 3 185 145 1 2 31 5. Dublin University 11 6 0 5 33 14 18 By Mick Smith 6. Bective Rangers 11 5 1 5 193 224 2 2 26 MEN’S SOCCER 6. Avoca 10 5 1 3 22 17 16 7. Dublin University 10 4 2 4 171 161 1 3 24 7. Weston 11 4 0 7 20 34 12 8. Belfast Harlequins 11 5 0 6 156 165 0 3 23 SAT MAJOR 1D 8. Naas 9 1 0 8 5 50 3 AFTER A prolonged stint out of 9. Malone 11 4 0 7 147 174 1 6 23 9. Navan 11 1 0 10 8 56 3 AIL action, the First XV came 10. Highfi eld 9 5 1 3 106 137 0 0 22 Pos Team P W D L F A Pts from Gibson Park with a bonus 11. Greystones 11 5 0 6 166 228 0 2 22 1. DUAFC 16 14 1 1 69 11 43 Clontarf now look untouchable, but Trinity’s game against point win in their fi xture against 12. Clonakilty 10 4 0 6 116 133 1 2 19 2. Templeogue United 15 10 3 2 39 15 33 them on the 28th will still be important in the race for the Malone. Saturday’s game saw 13. DLSP 11 3 1 7 141 183 1 2 17 3. Brendanville FC 15 10 2 3 37 22 32 second promotion slot. the club go unbeaten for the 14. Wanderers 10 2 1 7 101 164 0 5 15 4. Swords Celtic 13 9 1 3 39 19 28 third league in a row with a 41- 15. Thomond 11 2 1 8 109 169 0 4 14 5. Clonee United 11 7 2 2 39 20 23 21/02/09 Skerries 1 5 Dublin University 36 victory. The backs pulled 16. Instonians 11 1 2 8 152 247 1 2 11 6. Dunboyne AFC 15 6 3 6 30 27 21 28/02/09 Clontarf v Dublin University their weight, for a change; Conor 7. Verona FC 16 6 1 9 29 40 19 21/03/09 Dublin University v Naas Colclough ran in two tries, while A result against Ballynahinch may be beyond a DUFC side doing well at 7th 8. Garda FC 15 5 2 8 27 44 17 28/03/09 Avoca v Dublin University Brady, Gillespie and Stafford place, but their next two home opponents are there for the taking. 9. Confey FC 14 4 3 7 15 19 15 also touched down. No. 8 Brian 9. Rush Athletic 16 3 4 9 31 43 13 LADIES HOCKEY Coyle added to his tally for the 21/02/09 Malone 36 41 DUFC 11. Greenhills AFC 13 2 4 7 21 36 10 season with a try of his own, 07/03/09 Ballynahinch v DUFC 12. Boyne Rovers 13 2 4 7 19 41 10 LEINSTER DIVISION 1 while Joyce added a penalty and 21/03/09 DUFC v Highfi eld 13. Rathcoole Boys 14 2 4 8 18 43 10 four vital conversions. 28/03/09 DUFC v Ballynahinch 14. Loughshinny United 14 1 4 9 17 50 7 Pos Team P W D L F A Pts DUFC will take a night off 1. Railway Union 11 9 2 0 22 3 29 on Friday the 27th when the SQUASH 21/02/09 Rush Athletic 0 5 DUAFC 2. Loreto 12 7 4 1 28 6 25 D4 Ballsbridge Court Hotel 3. Hermes 11 6 3 2 28 12 21 plays host to the Black and Red The team lost out at intervarsities, but captain Robbie Woods says that this TENNIS 4. Pembroke 12 6 3 3 22 15 21 Ball. The club promises a four “anomaly” will be remedied next year by the young talent coming through. 5. Old Alexandra 12 5 4 3 23 19 19 course meal, with music from MEN’S WINTER LEAGUE 6. UCD 11 5 3 3 13 8 18 Hurricane Johnny and the Jets. LADIES 7. Glennane 12 4 2 5 19 23 15 Tickets for the black tie event PREMIER DIVISION Ladies: 8. Bray 12 2 3 7 11 20 9 are 50 for students - purchasers FIRST DIVISION 15/02/09 Sutton 1 3 0 Trinity 1 9. Trinity College 13 1 2 10 13 36 5 are also entered into a draw for Pos Team P Pts 10. Corinthian 13 0 2 11 10 45 2 a pair of tickets to the England 1. Fitzwilliam A 11 153 Pos Team P Pts Men’s: game in Croke Park the following 2. Fitzwillam B 11 146 1. Total Fitness 13 139 15/02/09 Glasnevin 1 2 1 Trinity 1 The recent bad weather and the pressure of cup competi- afternoon. Last year’s ball sold 3. Sutton A 11 136 2. Trinity A 12 129 tion has played merry hell with the Ladies’ fi xture list. Trinity out and, according to second 4. Westwood A 11 117 3. Mt. Pleasant A 13 103 ULTIMATE FRISBEE need a result against either Pembroke this weekend or row Scott LaValla, “a damn good 5. Curragh A 11 99 4. Westwood B 13 93 Railway on March 21st, followed by a win at Corinthians, to time was had by all”. 6. Mt. Pleasant A 11 96 5. Fitzwilliam B 12 93 Trinity came away fourth from the Siege of Limerick on Feb- make be in with a fi ghting chance of staying up. It’ll certainly be nice for Tony 7. Old Belvedere A 11 76 6. Aer Lingus A 12 38 ruary 14/15, with a win over top club side Broccoli to their Smeeth & co. to take their minds 8. Trinity A 11 20 credit. It’s now the countdown to Intervarsities at the end of 28/02/09 Trinity College v Pembroke off the reported feud with the 25/02/09 Trinity A v Aer Lingus A March. Trinity will hope to break their duck against UCC to 21/03/09 Trinity College v Railway Union soccer club (see page 1) - does 25/02/09 Old Belvo A v Trinity A 04/03/09 Fitzwilliam B v Trinity A win an unprecedented fourth title in a row. 28/03/09 Corinthian v Trinity College anyone know whether Terry 04/03/09 Fitzwilliam B v Trinity A McAuley has been invited? TRINITY NEWS February 24, 2009 SPORT 23 SHORT CUTS

COLLEGE PINKS AWARD FOR SWIMMER CONGRATULATIONS TO Anne-Marie Fenton of DU Swim Club, who has been awarded a Pink along with her fellow aquatic athletes from the Boat Club. Fenton was on the team that won the Intervarsities in Belfast last year. The Captain’s Committee will meet again in Trinity Term to consider nominations.

HOCKEY INTERPROS DULHC PLAYERS CALLED UP FOUR DU Ladies Hockey Club players have been called up for the U21 Interpros. Caroline Murphy and Rachel Scott will play for Leinster, while star midfi elder Maebh Horan, from Wexford, will play for South-East who are coached by former Trinity star Linda Caulfi eld. Forward Irene Gorman got the nod DU Kayak Club took part in the Intervarsities last weekend, The club had an early success in the polo on Friday after- distance, slalom and rodeo events over the course of the for Connaught. The Junior hosted by UCD in a variety of venues on the Kildare Liffey. noon and went on to compete in a gruelling series of long weekend. Photo: Jessica Pakenham-Money Freshman was also recently included in the Ireland U18 squad for the European championships in July. In addition, at least two Trinity students who do not play for the college club will be at the interpros. Loreto’s Lizzie Colvin is included in the Ulster Reviving the squad while Eimear Dolan of Railway Union joins Murphy and Scott on the Leinster panel.

DU SQUASH RACKETS cults of Nike INTERVARSITIES FOR TRINITY, and the likes of wily veteran Karlis Zauers, taking part in the Intervarsity used to be synonymous with and Hera winning. For ten straight years the initials TCD adorned the trophy. Like Roger Federer’s much publicised decline, Former athletics captain Claire McGlynn talks inevitably someone else, at some stage in time, was going to Conor James McKinney about women in to win. The inevitable occurred in February 2008, in Galway, sport, her work with Nike and reviving what is where UCD fi nally prevailed against Trinity by the tightest of most certainly not a secret society The Hereans, with club scarves, pictured in Botany Bay at the weekend. Photo: DU Hereans margins. This year saw a mixed squad of youth and experience HE EXPRESSION “big Hereans – the defunct female equivilant the Knights, those seeking admission the campaign on university campuses McGlynn professes herself impressed attempt to put the record beast” is probably not of that organisation – she jumped at it. should be excellent at their sport, as in the UK and Ireland. Readers may with the science behind their products straight on enemy territory one that Claire McGlynn “I was a member in [2006/07] but they well as contributing signifi cantly to their remember the visit of Sonia O’Sullivan and the company’s general philosophy over January 30/31. would thank me for using, only held two events in the whole year, club and well prepared to socialise. The back in October reported in The Record and attitude to its customers. Besides, Friday saw Trinity largely but it describes her status they were sort of fi zzling out then”. Hereans will host visiting teams, as well (what do you mean, nobody reads “by having this whole campaign they on cruise control, the early Twithin the world of Trinity sport pretty Founded in 1980 by Greta Hickey, as assisting clubs with their fundraising The Record?), which was part of the are promoting women in sport and it’s group matches a comfortable well. The JS French and German Caroline Watson and Claire Losty, the and do some of their own for charity. promotion of the campaign. good for all women”. process for most of the teams. student, from Terenure in Dublin, has Hereans were designed not just as a DUCAC have been receptive – “we didn’t “It’s basically saying, I’m a woman, As part of the campaign, the The highlight of the afternoon contributed signifi cantly to DU Harriers social club along the lines of the Knights, think they really would be because of here I am. I might have been invisible in Gamechangers programme has been was Dave Lowry taking down and Athletics Club from the moment but “to promote ladies sport in Trinity. past stories, past things that happened the past but we are here, we are doing set up as a means to effect social change the Royal College of Surgeons’ she signed her life away in Freshers’ It wasn’t really heard of for women to do with the Knights” – and McGlynn wants sport, we can do well in sport like men,” through sport. Clubs, community groups Jack Woods, identical twin Week. A large sign emblazoned with all this stuff, especially in Trinity as it’s to work with them in attracting talented says McGlynn. She points out the huge and other organisations are encouraged brother to Trinity club captain the club logo sits in the living room of so academic.” sportspeople to Trinity and building up disparity in media coverage of male and to submit innovative projects on the Robbie. In Saturday’s group the Botany Bay apartment that she So what drove her to revive it? “I’d our image as a sporting university. “I’ve female sports, a point well illustrated by Nike website. The deadline is March matches Trinity recorded shares with fellow athlete and Sports heard great stories from it. I know past worked at the DUCAC stand on the a study carried out in 2002 by the Dublin 21st, and winning entries will receive emphatic victories over RCSI, Scholar Bryony Treston. Twice captain Hereans and they’d had some great Open Day and people come up asking ‘Is Sports and Recreation Council showing £5,000 in funding from Nike. People UCC, NUIG and DCU. The of DUHAC, McGlynn holds club records times with it. Not only that, i wanted there a hockey team here?’…people are that of the photographs carried in the can also look at and comment on other fi nal saw the renewed rivalry in the 60m indoors, the 400m and to expand on it, not just have it as a oblivious to any sort of sport happening sports sections of fi ve major national projects; the whole idea, says McGlynn, of Trinity and UCD. First the pole vault and is a club rep on the social club. People in college don’t know in Trinity,” she says. In an effort to foster newspapers over a ten-day period, less is to change perceptions of, and remove blood went to the lads from DUCAC executive, for her sins. She has that the Hereans or Knights exist, and links with past Hereans and Knights, than 3% were of women. Part of the aim barriers to, female participation in sport Belfi eld, Zauers just losing represented Ireland at underage levels myself and Mark really want to up our the clubs will host a joint Past/Present is to get girls involved in sport from an – something she defi nitely thinks is out to Denis Trick despite the in the 400m relays and has numerous profi le in collge and outside college as dinner in Trinity Term. early age, counteracting the negative relevant in Trinity. “We defi nitely have a use of the famous corkscrew intervarsity medals in her collection. well. Also, we’re completely expanding Arguably an even more exciting stereotypes of female athletes and tougher job, there are girls on the Nike lob. Andy Hogg probably ran This doesn’t come without a price: on what we do. We’re not just a social opportunity came about last year, when stressing the social aspects to sports Select team who are in Loughborough. the equivalent of the half- it takes two and a half to three hours club any more, we’re not a secret society sporting giant Nike came calling. At participation.“It’s not just aimed at girls That’s just so sport-orientated, everyone marathon over the course of training a day, but to McGlynn it’s a as we were once known.” the time the company was recruiting who are really good at sport, it’s aimed who goes there is practically an athlete. his match with Ray Pathick passion, something integral to her life: A meeting held at the end of January ambassadors for its Here I Am campaign at all women.” Here it is harder… there is this lack of but unfortunately ended “I’d never say I’m not doing it. It’s always elected a committee, with the likes of promoting women in sport. McGlynn Nike will be back to Trinity to hold confi dence in so many girls, they kind of up second best. Rory Byrne done, it’s like eating or sleeping, it’s not Jessica Guy (Sailing) and Hannah Kirk and fellow DUHAC athlete Mairead another event in April. McGlynn and shy away from sport. I think that really provided Trinity with a much- as if I can just miss a day”. Not content (Tennis) signing on. McGlynn claims McMorriw came through a selection McMorrow will be on hand to promote needs to be tackled.” needed boost, effortlessly with this on top of the demands of her to have about 20 active Hereans in the process that involved an interview and it; they do well in terms of free Nike comfortable in his win. Despite languages degree, when Mark Raftery- ranks, and has contacted the various competitive physical testing in London gear, and accept that part of Nike’s For more information on the this victory, though, UCD Skehan of the Knights of the Campanile club captains asking them to put and became part of a 14-strong Nike motivation is to sell more of their Hereans or Gamechangers, email were not to be denied their approached her about reviving the forward suitable candidates. As with Select team charged with promoting products to female athletes. However, [email protected] eventual win. However, the Men’s B section provided some fantastic squash and brilliant performances from Doug Doherty and James Judge No room at the inn for pool players, say DUCAC helped secure at least one piece of silverware for Trinity. In the women’s competition, By Jem Casey of fruitless attempts to get in touch he so much as enter a tournament without the ones that are in bad nick” and get a Trinity were expected to eventually had to go up to the second some sort of recognition, he went to the few pool tables in. compete for the title. For fl oor of the Sports Centre in person to CSC, which was prepared to take on a There’s defi nitely some talent out several years now the women I HADN’T given it much thought, plead his case. Clearly no friend to cue Pool Society as an Associative Member there. Captain of the Irish Colleges for from DCU have provided personally, but it seems that Trinity sports, they turned him down. In reponse and bung them a couple of hundred the games against the Home Nations Trinity with a fi erce rivalry. This is one of the only universities around to a query from Trinity News, DUCAC euro for entry fees. Hardly ideal, but in April, Columb was a fi nalist in that year saw the two again pitched without a functioning pool club. At the stated that: “The allocation to DUCAC at least they can now fi eld an offi cial competition last year, while postgraduate in a monumental struggle with recent 8-ball pool intervarsities, run from the Capitation Fund...has not Trinity team if the interest is there. student John Deenihan is on the shortlist each match hotly contested. by the Higher Education Snooker and increased substantially in the last seven Columb himself practices at home to make the squad. If the society can get Despite the presence of Pool Council, 20 colleges entered teams years. Due to the fi nancial constraints and enters tournaments to keep his hand the money together, Columb would like Catherine Graham, Darshini with 220 individuals taking part overall. such as increased costs for entry fees, in, since there is absolutely nowhere to to enter several teams in next year’s Ramasubbu and Trish Burns, Despite coming from a college without travel, coaching, equipment etc for play on campus. For those of you as intervarsity and have a go at winning it. Trinity ultimately just lost out. a pool table to be found within its walls, sport clubs, the DUCAC Executive took ignorant as myself in these matters, a In the meantime, deprived of facilities However, with an upcoming Dave Columb, a SS Physiology student, a decision to cap the number of clubs snooker table is 12” x 7”, while a pool and resources, it’s all a bit of a struggle; youth, including sports scholar was the best of the lot, walking away which are ratifi ed.” It therefore seems table is only 7” x 4”, so the Phil’s facilities around 40 people have registered their Sarah Corcoran, providing with the individual title. that only when a club dies off will a new at the top of the Graduates Memorial interest in playing for the club, but only greater depth to the squad, A former All-Ireland winner with the one be considered. Building are no good. However, Columb 10 showed up to trials for the CUSAI sensible money would be Cavan Junior team, he’s been trying to In the meantime, Columb says “I was is optimistic that this can be remedied: Leinster Pool League last week. On the placed on the Trinity girls set up a pool club for a couple of years told I could run for two years without “I was on to one of the girls in the GMB, plus side, if you’re any good, it’ll be easy coming away with a trophy in now, but hasn’t found it easy. DUCAC any funding and then I’d be considered, Sinead Farley, and she’s keen to get a to get on the team: contact columbd@ 2010. didn’t want to know, so after a couple The GMB tables. Photo: R. Kennedy which I thought was a joke”. Unable to few of the snooker tables out of there, tcd.ie for more information. Ed Miles BOXING DU Boxing’s showpiece event wasas back in the Exam Hall - but couldd iitsts THE BLUES fi ghters pass the test?

TRINITYRINITY NEWSEWWSS SPORTTuesday,TTuuueesday, FebruaryFebrruuaarrryy 24, 22009009 MATCH Soccer STATS SCORE DUAFC 0 UCD 2 team lose TEAM 1. MICHAEL SCHROLL 2. MICHAEL STORAN 3. JONNY CUMMINS 4. COLIN HYLAND Colours 5. JOHN LAVELLE 6. EVIN O’REILLY (C) Showdown in College Park sees a close fi rst 7. EOGHAN KEEGAN half, but misfi ring Trinity are eventually stung 8. LUKE GUERIN 9. CHRIS ALLEN for two goals by an experienced UCD outfi t 10. NIALL WALSH 11. EDWARD TINNSLEY By Conor James McKinney from the edge of the area went the same College Sport Editor way as Walsh’s earlier effort, and a good SUBS touch to get him in behind the defence J. KENNEDY, O. THE STARS of the future were out was rendered redundant by a poor fi nal before kick-off, laying claim to every ball. Keegan, on the right wing, also MCMAHON, D. stray ball and sticking in the net with showed fl ickers of promise but was great aplomb. Some Trinity players similarly unable to hit the target or pick TRIMBLE, C. MOLLOY, were no doubt longing to be six years out Walsh with his crosses. N. O’CARROLL, V. old again, without the pressure that UCD, meanwhile, had chances of comes of playing the likes of UCD in a their own but good defending meant O’MAHONEY, C. FARRELL, respectably populated College Park. that apart from one smart stop to G. KANE Not all the onlookers were confi dent swallow up a glancing header Schroll of a Trinity victory: one law student, didn’t have cause to be overly concerned perhaps embittered by the delay in kick- as the half wore on. Indeed, it was Trinity’s Johnny Cummins and John off forcing him to forego the fi rst half in Trinity who had the best chance of the Lavelle (left) on the defensive. Photo: favour of a lecture, claimed that “if it’s match - including the UCD goals - not Jessica Pakenham-Money HOCKEY TEAMS TAKE ON ALL COMERS still nil-all at half time I’ll be surprised”. long before the break. An awkward ball Trinity started out enthusiastically, in found its way to the back post, and range effort from the UCD midfi eld IT’S BEEN a great week for all a hat-trick for the Thirds as they harrying UCD well at the expense of a both Tinnsley and Cummins were within inspired an even more impressive save involved in Trinity hockey. With the romped to a 7-0 victory over Weston. few free kicks and looking solid at the range as it bounced a couple of metres from Schroll, who turned the ball onto Men’s First XI recording three wins Captain Will Wilshere (pictured, right, back. Colin Hyland in particular was before an open goal. Unfortunately, the post at full stretch. The fast rebound on the trot over the past fortnight by Jessica Pakenham-Money) also justifying his selection ahead of Danny they seemed to get in each other’s way went straight to a UCD player, though, to keep their promotion hopes alive, chipped in. The Second XI, up against Trimble with a confi dent display that in their eagerness to bundle in the ball, and with the goalie still in midair the the lower teams weren’t about to be tough opposition from Serpentine included a barnstorming run up fi eld and amazingly neither made contact. It fi nish was routine. outdone. All three Ladies sides in Avenue, managed a 3-3 draw thanks around 15 minutes in. Niall Walsh had meant that Trinity went to the sidelines The game opened up from there action at the weekend came away to the omnipresent Humphreys and the fi rst of several half chances that fell knowing that although they had done but it looked very much as though this victorious, starting with the Second that great servant of Trinity hockey to the home side in the opening period, well to hold their own, they could so would be to the advantage of the now XI at Newbridge. Alice Delahunt’s (and, indeed, one of the scorers in the blazing over from 25 metres. UCD easily have been in front. rampant away team. It took a rather goal leaves them with a great chance Ladies games), Alan Bell. came straight back up to strain the side It didn’t remain nil-all for long suspect tackle to prevent a one-on-one of winning a highly competitive The First XI’s remarkable 5-1 win netting in a clear warning for Trinity not after the half, much to the chagrin of developing halfway through the second Division 4. over second placed Skerries means to let their guard down. a grudgingly impressed crowd. A UCD half, while a UCD substitute heading over The Fourths beat Glennane that they are not, as a former captain Allen, the crucial creative spark in corner confounded the defensive set- a free header was uncharacteristically courtesy of strikes by Rebecca Wood was heard to opine just a few weeks the Trinity midfi eld, found it hard to up, and a blue shirted attacker was reminiscent of Trinity’s own attempts at and fresher Aoife Davidson and are ago, left with “nothing to play for” in wield his usual infl uence in the face presented with ample room to guide fi nishing. As your correspondent headed now just three points off the lead the league this season. Can they yet of some tight UCD marking. He was his header down towards Schroll’s goal off in search of food and a cure for acute in their division, while goals from mount a late challenge for Division 1 probably fortunate in the refereeing, as line. The German got a hand to it but depression ten minutes before the fi nal Ciara Marnane, Eimear MacNamara status next season? Stay tuned... some frustration challenges would have there was suffi cient power in the header whistle, it was another valiant yet futile and Dani McCollum gave the been, in the eyes of one substitute who to set the Belfi eld men on their way to sortie by Allen that saw him off. UCD Fifths revenge over UCD at Santry. More hockey coverage on page spoke to Trinity News after the game, victory. The goalkeeper was even more take home Colours for the third straight Meanwhile the men were also in fi ne 22: DUHC’s Henry Butler on the suffi cient to get him sent off by another unlucky a few minutes later when UCD year; Trinity can only plot revenge in the fettle, with Tolly Humphreys grabbing greatest comeback since Lazarus offi cial. A couple of speculative shots claimed their second: a peach of a long Collingwood Cup this week. ATHLETICS Athletes lay down their marker indoors

By Neil Cullen from Treston who is still returning to was never in doubt! His work, however, suffered from two late withdrawals but the diffi culty for a college like Trinity THE TEAM Men’s Harriers Captain full fi tness after a spell of injury. Had was not fi nished there. After 2 heats ran passionately and strongly in the to compete on the same level as run- fellow scholarship athlete Aoife Byrne (one 4x200m relay and one individual medley distance relay (1200m x 400m away winners DCU and runners-up, VALENTINE’S WEEKEND saw the end been able to compete in the 800m, one 400m) and a semi-fi nal (400m) later, x 800m x 1600m), fi nishing 4th. the University of Limerick. DCU for Lauren Holmes (60m) of the Indoor Track and Field season for feels that a sweep of medals from each Alex won his second medal, a bronze, in The highlight of any Track and Field example awarded 120 sport scholarships Rioghna Moggan (200m) Dublin University Harriers and Athletics distance running event would have been the 400m. A superb overall performance event, the relays proved to be fruitful in the 2007/2008 academic year, 80 of Ciara McCallion (400m) Club’s (DUHAC) athletes with the possible, but unfortunately illness forced and his medals proved to be vital for the hunting grounds for DUHAC. The which were distributed evenly between Jenny Holmes (400m) staging in Nenagh Olympic Stadium of Byrne out at the last minute. A hat-trick overall success of the team. Any chance Ladies picked up two more medals with Athletics and GAA. The merits of Mairead McMorrow (800m) the Indoor Intervarsity Championships. of individual silver medals, however, was of staying for another few years Alex? bronze in the medley distance relay and Trinity’s scholarship scheme are not up Louise Bernard (800m) This is the only Intervarsity event complete on day 2 by Sorcha Prendiville I’ll be your friend! another silver in the 4x200m. The men’s for debate here. One might even argue Becky Woods (1500m) indoors but many athletes had been in the 1,500m Walk. A specialist athlete Another fi rst-timer to Intervarsity 4x200m team looked good for a medal that buying in the country’s best athletes, Eva Grace (1500m) competing in a full schedule of provincial in a specialist event, Sorcha, a fi rst competition, Cormac Doherty showed having come through the semi-fi nal at as in the case of DCU, in order to win Sorcha Prendiville (1500m walk) and national events in the run up to the year student of Education, fi nished in his class in the men’s 200m. After their leisure but as can happen so easily Varsity level competitions, is a shallow Bryony Treston (3000m) Intervarsities. 7:01.53. Such a performance early in working his way through the heats and in relay races, the baton was dropped and ego-nourishing undertaking. Maura Mahoney (3000m) Taking place over two days, Trinity her DUHAC career is a big positive and semi-fi nal, Cormac was unlucky to draw at the fi rst changeover in the fi nal. It is What is worth pointing out, however, Claire McGlynn (shot putt) set itself high standards right from the she will undoubtedly add to her medal the tight bends of lane 1 in the fi nal. His safe to say, however, that the guys will is that UCD awarded four Athletics gun with Becky Woods taking silver in tally in years to come. 4th place fi nish in a time of 23.75 seconds, be hungry to put that right come the scholarships compared to Trinity’s two, Cian O’Loughlin (60m) the fi rst event of the competition, the In contrast to the female harriers, however, is to be highly commended and outdoor season and bring home the yet Trinity fi nished higher than UCD in Cormac Doherty (60m, 200m) women’s 1,500m. Her time of 4:48.18 it was the male sprinters who set the one feels that the future looks bright for medal they deserve. the fi nal overall standings. The bottom Alex Avron (60m hurdles, 400m) also slashed a whopping 15 seconds off track alight. French Erasmus student Cormac in a Trinity singlet. DUHAC’s success in the Indoors line here is DUHAC are punching above John Keegan (200m) the previous DUHAC indoor record Alexandre Avron enjoyed his fi rst taste The Ladies sprint team, depleted will provide both satisfaction from a their weight at an Intervarsity level as a Joe Barry (400m, triple jump) of 5:03.74. A great way to kick off the of Irish Intervarsity competition with the by several injuries, made an important job well executed and hunger to go on result of hard work, commitment and Sean Flynn (800m, 1500m) weekend! The strength of DUHAC’s fi nal of the men’s 60m hurdles. He took overall contribution nonetheless with and achieve even more. A joint 4th place an unrivalled team spirit. Long may this Aidan Reilly (800m, 3000m) female distance running was further away the gold by the proverbial skin of Lauren Holmes and Ciara McCallion overall fi nish alongside University of continue. Thomas Lupton (3000m) advertised in the 3,000m with Bryony his teeth. After a photo-fi nish, the result picking up team points in the 60m and Ulster is something of which the club Hugh Fitzpatrick (shot putt) Treston also winning a silver medal in favoured Alex by 0.007 seconds. In cool 400m respectively. The same can be can be extremely proud. For an outsider More TN athletics coverage Peter Schwartzstein (long jump) a time of 10:36.16, a gutsy performance French fashion, Alex knew the result said for the male distance runners who to the sport, it is hard to appreciate inside: Claire McGlynn interview, p23