President hits out at drinks firms ‘preying’ on Galway students

by John Brennan

President Michael D. Higgins – back in Galway to address a conference at his old NUIG alma mater – has lashed out at drinks companies for ‘preying’ on third level students.

And the former Galway West TD who enjoyed a fifty year association with the university also warned students not to waste their academic years in a haze of alcohol.

“It is important not to waste all the excitement and energy of a particular phase of one’s life. I very much believe that students aren’t there for the drink companies; students are there for each other,” he said.

“I think what I see – and I’m very glad to see it’s coming to an end – are the people who are bred like predators on student populations through, for example, drink promotions.

“I think that’s the end of the world, and I think it should be faced up to and seen for the shameful exploitation that it is.

“There is so much enjoyment (to be had) in life at that particular age rather than wasting your life on hangovers,” he added.

President Higgins was at NUI Galway, on Friday to deliver the keynote address at a conference on Health and Human Rights, which was jointly organised by NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights and the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The conference explored the link between health and human rights, and applications of human rights concepts and methods in addressing health challenges in Ireland and on a global scale.

And despite his attack over drink, the President had nothing but glowing things to say about Galway and the University he has been involved with since the age of 21.

“I love the time I spend in Galway; it’s the home where my children were born,” he said.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.