Students’ unions and unofficial rag week

Sir, – We take issue with comments made by Tommy Roddy about rag week in Galway (Letters, 19th February). While we agree with elements of his assessment, his statement that the students’ unions have sat back and said “nothing to do with us” is unfair.

In 2011, by way of a vote, it was decided to discontinue rag week – it was far from being in the best interests of our members or our city. Since then, we have worked very hard to rebuild and develop relations with the local community, local representatives and the Garda.

The fact that we do not support nor endorse rag week, and do not propose to engage in a discourse about it, is indicative of what our members voted for – an end to official rag week. – Yours, etc, DECLAN HIGGINS President, NUI Galway Students’ Union SAM O’NEILL President, GMIT Students’ Union