Trinity Student Protesters Locked into Dining Hall

The situation around the recent protest and occupation of the dining hall in TCD has just escalated, with UCC Express receiving a press release from the students in the #TakeBackTrinity Campaign.

‘This evening at approximately 5pm 60 Trinity Students were locked into the Dining Hall as part of the ongoing occupation in Trinity College Dublin. External Security services are now blocking all entrances into the Dining Hall. Security have made it clear that no food or water will be permitted into the Dining hall.Students will be permitted to leave the building if they wish.The occupation started yesterday when a body of approximately 60 students occupied and secured the Dining Hall in Trinity. This was a peaceful occupation, with students allowed to enter and leave the building freely up until till now.‘

In response, Trinity students have organised a large rally outside of the dining hall to fight this escalation by the college authorities. As well as that, students have moved to occupy the Front Arch this evening. Students have also occupied the Exam hall, across from the dining hall. Oisin Vince Coulter, president Elect of the Graduate Students Union in TCD said from inside the dining hall,

‘Trinity have absolutely tried to crush dissent tonight, we’re not going allow it and we’ll stay until we win’

The protest is in response to the college bringing a flat fee of €450 euro for students who have to take a supplemental examination, as well as other issues with regards to the rising fees for International students and Post Graduate students.