DCU down and out in Ballymun

DCU DOWN AND OUT IN BALLYMUN

Ladders were up all over the country last week with engineers restoring power to communities after Storm Eowyn. Sadly, the sole ladder in Shangan was being used to cut third level local power here, as the letters ‘DCU in the Community’ were removed from over the door of the college’s local centre.

It came as a shocking surprise to us to see our great neighbours down the years pulling out of Ballymun. With only 2 pupils from Trinity Comprehensive having signed up for a DCU course this academic year it’s not as if their job is done.

They have been such good neighbours and collaborators with BCLC all the time we have been beside them. From course to classroom, they have always been willing partners. Any day we might have an overflow they would immediately look to see could they accommodate us. Joanne and Najwa ready and willing to try and support us no matter how late the call. One year they even hosted our groundbreaking video link UCG Housing course with Dr Padraic Kenna. It was an honour to be asked to contribute to their courses often presenting an introductory legal session for people thinking of taking a third level course.

Individually, lecturers from the college’s School of Law and Government have make their way up to the law centre to deliver a range of courses and talks. Dr. Olivia Smith, who became a member of the BCLC Board, shared her equality legal expertise with us on many occasions. Prof. Michael Doherty gave employment talks. Jennifer Brown gave a course on Mental Health Law and once even gave a talk on Cosmetics and the Law! Dr. Cliodhna Murphy spoke on Human Rights Law. One of our most regular contributors has been Dr. Adam McAuley who last year again delivered a number of sessions. His colleague Eoin O’Malley also gave a talk.

DCU Librarians have always been willing to introduce our course participants to the treasures of the library by providing on site tours. School of Law and Government students have been a great help as study buddies during our courses.

It is a wonderful resource for Ballymun to be able to call on these academics to offer their legal expertise to the community particularly when it is sought in relation to an area of current topical interest. We are so grateful to all of them who volunteer their time in this way. Hopefully this continues and it is a most valuable resource.

However the presence of the college in the local community with its own centre is very important third level outreach and an integral part of the regeneration. We would appeal to Chancellor Brid Horan and the DCU Board to reconsider this decision and put the college sign back up in Ballymun where it belongs!

Frank Murphy, Solicitor