Trinity drops €200,000 fine against students’ union

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Trinity College Dublin has dropped a €200,000 fine against its students’ union which had been imposed due to protest action.

The prestigious university had invoiced its students’ union for €214,285 after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, as well as pro-Palestinian solidarity protests.

Trinity claimed the fee was related to losses accrued due to the students blocking access to the major Book of Kells tourist attraction on the campus.

Separately, it also initiated disciplinary action against a group of student leaders.

Students at the university formed an encampment on the campus in protest against the fine as well as Trinity’s ties to Israel.

Following engagement with the protesters, the college said it would complete a divestment from investments in Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard.

This process is expected to be completed by June.

The students dismantled the camp after Trinity said it would “endeavour” to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which will remain until March 2025 for contractual reasons.

Last week, students who had been called for disciplinary hearings were informed the action had been dropped.

However, the invoice to the students’ union remained outstanding until Monday when it was also withdrawn following a meeting.

A spokeswoman for the university said: “At a meeting today between the University and student representatives, a joint renewed commitment was made to student partnership.

“On the basis of this renewed commitment, the University will not be pursuing the invoice.”

TCDSU president Laszlo Monarfi told the PA news agency: “It’s a win for the right to protest.

“Students and workers united will never be defeated.”