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Trinity College has fined its students’ union €214,000 for financial losses incurred as a result of disruptive protests held by the union throughout this academic year.
The president of TCD’s Students’ Union has confirmed to RTÉ News that the body received an email this morning informing it of the fine.
He also confirmed that members of the TCD SU current and incoming leadership have been summoned to a disciplinary hearing by the college to be held next week.
The matter was reported on today by college newspaper Trinity News.
Imposing the fine the college cited loss of income as a result of recent blockades of the Book of Kells by both the Students’ Union and the Postgraduate Workers Organisation which represents postgraduate students.
The president of that second organisation has also been invited to the disciplinary hearing.
Trinity College is heavily reliant on the income generated by tourists visiting the Book of Kells.
The college said the protests involved “actions that disrupt the normal operation of activities within the college”.
In a statement Trinity College said it was a not-for-profit organisation which “cannot survive solely on government funding and depends on other sources of income”.
“The income generated from the Book of Kells is vital to keep the university going and it supports initiatives such as student services, the student hardship fund etc,” it said.
The college said it supported students’ right to protest but “within the rules of the university”.
“The student protests involving blockages of the Book of Kells Experience has had a negative financial impact as visitors could not enter,” it stated.
According to the Trinity News report, €214,000 equates to about 20% of the Students’ Union total annual income. The newspaper said this estimate was based on financial reports.
Three sabbatical officers of the union, its current president László Molnárfi, incoming president Jenny Maguire, and Communications Officer Aiesha Wong have all been called to the disciplinary hearing.
TCD SU President László Molnárfi called the fine “an absolutely shameful act of union busting” by Trinity College.
“Students and staff stand united against management’s suppression of the student voice that has protested for Palestine, for graduate worker rights, and against fees and rising rents,” he told RTÉ News.
Read more: Students demand Irish universities take a stand on Gaza
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