LAST UPDATE | 8 Oct

THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT of the University of Limerick (UL) and interim provost, Professor Ann Ledwith, said she is “deeply concerned” at scenes of criminal damage at a house in the heartland of the university’s off-campus accommodation.

The house, located at College Court, because of its proximity to University of Limerick (UL), is situated in the university’s off-campus student accommodation heartland.

The six-bedroom home was swarmed and gutted by students, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Videos were shared on social media of furniture being thrown through windows at the house; walls, ceilings, and fixtures and fittings being ripped out; and mattresses thrown onto the garden and used as landing mats by students who also filmed themselves jumping off the roof.

A spokeswoman at UL said on Thursday the identities of those involved in the incident had not been confirmed.

However, an email issued from Prof Ledwith to UL’s student population today said she was “very concerned about reports of a recent incident at a property in a nearby housing estate, which An Garda Síochána is actively investigating”.

She added: “This type of anti-social behaviour not only damages property, but it also damages our reputation and our valued community relationships.”

Ledwith’s email revealed that UL students had been recently reminded to abide by UL’s code of conduct and to have “respect” for the local off campus community.

“As was explained to you in a recent email from our Vice President Global and Community Engagement, Professor Colin Fitzpatrick, all students have a responsibility to abide by the UL Student Code of Conduct and respect the local community that lives in the vicinity of our campus,” stated Ledwith.

“University of Limerick treats all complaints concerning individuals with the utmost seriousness,” she added.

Ledwith said: “While the identity of those involved in the incident has yet to be ascertained, let me be very clear – this sort of behaviour is simply unacceptable from any member of our community.”

“Acts of anti-social behaviour, including property damage, public disorder and other actions that impact negatively upon local residents, and landlords are a matter of very serious concern,” she continued.

“Let me remind all students at University of Limerick, you are expected to act as an ambassador for UL, both on and off campus, and ensure that your actions reflect positively on our community.”

Ledwith reiterated to students gardaí’s “appeal for information” in respect of the criminal damage caused at College Court, and included the Garda contact details in her email.

Earlier, a Limerick landlord called on authorities to tackle “normalised lawless” behaviour in Castletroy after the refurbished vacant house was broken into and destroyed by gangs of students.

Alocal landlord described the behaviour as “lawless” and called on authorities to provide deterrents to the “normalised” anti-social behaviour scourge.

“It’s become normalised lawlessness,” they said.

The landlord, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested that An Garda Síochána, Limerick City and County Council, and the University of Limerick, engage with residents and landlords for the provision of public CCTV cameras in the College Court estate, “because anti-social behaviour is so widespread” there.

Other properties in the estate have been damaged previously after student house parties and street gatherings.

In March 2021, Tánaiste Simon Harris, who was then minister for education, described as “completely unacceptable” and “a slap in the face to everyone sacrificing so much” students behaviour in the estate, after a massive student street party was found to have breached COVID-19 restrictions.

Over 50 fines were served on students at the time for breaching the health guidelines.

Eric Nelligan, a secondary school assistant principal, who lives nearby, posted on X: “My kitchen window looks on the entrance of this estate, it’s carnage in there, most traditional residents have moved out… College Court is notorious.”

“What would possess college students to do this? The house is ruined, tens of thousands in damage.”

This morning at the grim scene, a passer-by at College Court, stared at the damaged home and commented: “I’ve never seen anything quite like this, bar something in the movies.”

Several students passing the house took photos of the aftermath on their mobile phones.

“I know it’s Halloween soon, but the awful irony of it, is that it’s like it’s being done up to look like a haunted house,” another remarked.

Another student passing by said: “I was in a house up the road when it happened and the noise of the glass breaking was frightening, they’ve gone too far this time.”

Another College Court resident, who said they wished not to be identified for fear of reprisals, said: “We have previously sought CCTV in College Court but it hasn’t happened. What occurred at that house on Wednesday was horrible and to see the videos of those young adults and their faces on the camera, and they are not caring, is sad.”

“I feel sorry for their parents,” they added.

The damaged house in College Court, near the University of Limerick. Brendan Gleeson Brendan Gleeson

House recently sold

The two-storey home was recently sold after it was advertised as a vacant possession with a guide price of almost half a million euro (€445,000), and according to local sources, it had been in “turn-key” condition prior to last Wednesday’s carnage.

The property was advertised online by Rooney Auctioneers, Limerick, as having an “easily accessible pedestrian entrance to the nearby University campus, and a much sought after location for student accommodation”.

“Investors will be drawn to a lucrative investment opportunity with proximity to the University of Limerick, with superb rental potential,” added the property pitch.

It’s understood that investigating gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry, as several of the perpetrators of last Wednesday’s break-in and damage were clearly identifiable in video footage circulated on social media.

Gardaí appealed for anyone with video footage of the incident to make it available to Henry Street garda Station (061-212400), Garda Confidential Line (1800-666-111).

On Wednesday, University of Limerick said it was aware of the “off campus” incident and ongoing garda probe.

The university said it “strongly promotes responsible behaviour and positive engagement with the community”.

It added: “While the vast majority of students are respectful and valued members of the community, the University recognises that instances of anti-social behaviour, including property damage, public disorder and other actions that negatively impact residents, are a matter of concern”.

UL said it has “mechanisms” to deal with “breaches” of its student “code of conduct” and that it takes “complaints” about the UL population “very seriously”.

The University added that it “regularly facilitates extra garda patrols” and engages with the off-camps community “to promote respect, responsibility and positive engagement”.

Gardaí, Limerick City and County Council, the University of Limerick, were asked for further comment on Thursday.

The RTB (residential tenancies board), an independent body, which is charged with regulating the rental sector and providing supports to landlords and tenants, was also contacted for comment.