PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MINISTER Jack Chambers has called on University College Dublin (UCD) to intervene and assist a medical student in completing her studies after the Dáil was told she was subjected to an image being circulated to students and staff after she was raped.

The issue was first raised in the Dáil last week, when Socialist Party TD Ruth Coppinger told the chamber that the image showed the victim “nude, bruised and unconscious” and that it was accompanied by further threats. 

Speaking in the Dáil today, Coppinger said that “as a result of being raped, she became pregnant and had to have a termination”. 

The medical student had missed some of her exams as a result of having to schedule the termination, Coppinger said. 

The Dáil was told the student took UCD to court after they had asked her to drop back a year and that she had not been able to continue her degree since 2023. 

Chambers said in response that it was “shocking what that particular student experienced”.

The minister said any third level institution or education institution should be working in a way that allows such a student to finish their studies.

“I would call on UCD to work with the student to allow her to complete her studies,” Chambers said.

“She’s gone through enough, and I was shocked, as indeed everyone in this House has been about what she has been subjected to in this recent period.”

“It’s on government, on every public institution, to work with her so she can complete her studies, because she’s gone through enough.”

The Irish Times reported over the weekend that Orla Feely, president of UCD, emailed students and staff about the incident on Friday. 

“The university acknowledges the deep distress and anguish that this shocking and abhorrent activity from an unknown source has caused the student,” the email said, adding that UCD takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of bullying, harassment and sexual violence.

Feely said in the email that the student was supported by the head of student advisory services.

The UCD president said the head of the school of medicine, Professor Paddy Mallon, has offered to meet with the student over recent weeks and she has also been invited to meet with Feely and the vice-president for equality, diversity and inclusion, Professor Aoife Ahern. 

The Journal has put today’s Dáil comments to UCD and requested a further response.