Violent snowball fight brings campus to a standstill
Library image of a lecture theatre
Wednesday February 11 2009
A MOB of students brought chaos to the campus of a top university last week with a violent snowball fight involving hundreds of people. Gangs of UCD students launched attacks on cyclists and pedestrians at the college campus in Belfield, Dublin 4.
According to students, last Thursday's intensive snowfall sparked a campus-wide snowball fight that saw lectures disrupted and individuals surrounded by gangs armed with snow.
The entire college was officially closed at 5pm and gardai were called to the scene, but a college spokesperson has denied any connection between the fights and the early closure.
One science student said members of his class were stranded inside the Science Department in an effort to avoid what he said was a gang of close to 100 students lying in wait.
Surrounded
"We tried to leave, but as soon as we went outside we were surrounded by people launching snowballs at us," he said.
It is understood that the Quinn School of Business bore the brunt of the attacks, when a group of students entered the building to throw snowballs at students and staff.
UCD Students' Union President Aodhan O'Dea said that what was initially a friendly game spiralled out of control.
According to a UCD spokesperson, four complaints have so far been made in relation to snowballing at the college but the early closure was unrelated to the incidents.
"Following information bulletins from Met Eireann announcing heavy snow throughout the afternoon, the university, in line with advice issued by the AA and the gardai, wished to enable staff and students to arrive home early in order to ensure their safety," he said.
- Caitrina Cody
