24 September 1998 Edition
Troops Out - of University
South Belfast Sinn Fein councillor, Sean Hayes, has said he has received ``numerous complaints from concerned students at Queen's University alarmed by attempts by the British Army to recruit them using promises of cheap alcohol and free travel.''
He added that he would be making a formal complaint to the University and the Students Union which has allowed the British Army's Officer Training Corps to set up a recruitment stall at the Freshers Week in October.
The councillor also hit out at the British Army who at this time ``should be immediately de-militarising its operations in Ireland, not attempting to recruit students.'' He urged students to work to ensure that their university was ``not abused in this fashion in the future.''
Eoin O'Broin, Sinn Fein Youth's national organiser, echoed Hayes sentiments, slamming the posters which offer ``£26 a day to have a life, party, play sport, party, travel, party, canoe, party, ski, party, get fit, party, shoot, party'' but ``made no mention of the many victims of British state violence, no mention of the constant harassment and intimidation of Nationalists, no mention of the impact of British army militarisation on the environment of rural and urban Nationalist areas.''
O'Broin called on the Students Union President, Paul McGarrity, to ``remove the British Army from Queen's. They are an affront to students, to Belfast, and to the peace process.''
McGarrity confirmed that he had received numerous complaints from students concerning this military exercise and that he was now involved in a consultation process to resolve the matter.
He added that he would be making a formal complaint to the University and the Students Union which has allowed the British Army's Officer Training Corps to set up a recruitment stall at the Freshers Week in October.
The councillor also hit out at the British Army who at this time ``should be immediately de-militarising its operations in Ireland, not attempting to recruit students.'' He urged students to work to ensure that their university was ``not abused in this fashion in the future.''
Eoin O'Broin, Sinn Fein Youth's national organiser, echoed Hayes sentiments, slamming the posters which offer ``£26 a day to have a life, party, play sport, party, travel, party, canoe, party, ski, party, get fit, party, shoot, party'' but ``made no mention of the many victims of British state violence, no mention of the constant harassment and intimidation of Nationalists, no mention of the impact of British army militarisation on the environment of rural and urban Nationalist areas.''
O'Broin called on the Students Union President, Paul McGarrity, to ``remove the British Army from Queen's. They are an affront to students, to Belfast, and to the peace process.''
McGarrity confirmed that he had received numerous complaints from students concerning this military exercise and that he was now involved in a consultation process to resolve the matter.