Trinity College withdraws €214K student union fine

In a previous statement, TCD said it is a not-for-profit organisation that “cannot survive solely on government funding and depends on other sources of income”.

“The income generated from the Book of Kells is vital to keep the university going and it supports initiatives such as student services, the student hardship fund etc,” a spokesperson said.

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript which is more than 1,200 years old.

The book has been in the hands of TCD since the 17th century and now attracts more than half a million tourists a year, external with admission starting at €19 (£16).

The decision to fine the students’ union for protests was criticised by some politicians in the Republic of Ireland.

Sinn Féin higher education spokesperson Mairéad Farrell TD described the fine as “very worrying”.

“Student protests & solidarity have a strong and proud tradition,” she said, adding that “student voices shouldn’t be silenced”.

The Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said that TCD “should be ashamed of this blatant attempt to suppress student protest”.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett called the fine a “disgraceful attempt to silence and intimidate TCDSU” and a “shameful attack by University on free speech”.