UCD Students Blockade Fianna Fail Junior Minister

national | miscellaneous | news report

Tuesday September 24, 2002 12:35

by cfe - cfe

UCD STUDENTS BLOCKADE BRIAN LENIHAN TD. Today over over 60 students engaged in a walking picket and sit down blockade at the opening ceremony of the new Arts Annex in UCD. The protest organised by the Campaign for Free Education (CFE) came on the back of a meeting of ordinary students held in UCD last week. Originally it was believed that Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy would be present at the opening ceremony, and the protest was originally concieved to voice anger at him. However, members of the Campaign believe McCreevy quickly backed out when the possibility emerged that he would be confronted with a repeat of last weeks Late Late Show.

Secretary of the Campaign Paul Murphy commented that
'It was a very successful protest, we succeeded in blocking Lenihans access to our college, in a manner similar to how the governent blocked access to ordinary people.'

Group Spokesperson Paul Dillon said
'The CFE is fighting for truly free education for all. We are agitating not only against the registration
fees but also for an increase in the student mainteannce grant and for increased measures to combat educational disadvantage.'

James Redmond, PRO for the Campaign commented that
'There is a certain irony in the fact that the demo took place outside the opening of The Institute for the Study For Social Change. The only change Lenihan and his ilk are interested in is clawing back any gains won by students. Well, we in the CFE will not rest untill the Irish Government gets its hand of our right to free education.'

Contact irishcfe@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.freeeducation.cjb.net
Paul Dillon 085 720 6574
James Redmond 085 719 8001
Paul Murphy 085 723 8161