GALWAY STUDENTS MAY APPEAL FAILED HIGH COURT CHALLENGE

Date Published: 25-Apr-2012

Three students, including two from Galway, may appeal a failed high court challenge against the Education Minister, over cuts of around 60 per cent to their support grants.

The case was brought by Clare native Medb McCarthy, a third year Arts International student at NUIG, Galway city native Iesha Rowan, a second year mature student at GMIT and Robert Johnson who studying at Dundalk IT.

This legal challenge was considered a test case for around 25 thousand students affected by cuts to student support grants.

The 3 students who brought the case say they’ve endured losses of up to nearly 4 thousand euros as a result of the changes.

However today’s ruling found the grant cuts were in the public interest given the dire financial circumstances facing the country.

The students are due to appear before the courts again next Wednesday [May 2].

Speaking outside the High Court today, Union of Students President Gary Redmond says a possible appeal is not being ruled out