University College Galway students' union has denied censorship claims after a decision to cancel a planned showing of two films in the university later today. The union's president, Mr Darren McCallig, said, however, that he would take account of political considerations in deciding if one of the films, about cannabis campaigner Ming the Merciless, would be shown at a later date. "I'm trying to ascertain what exactly is the content of the film," he said.
Called Dole Eireann and directed by James Finlan, the short documentary film follows Ming the Merciless's unsuccessful general election campaign in Galway West earlier in the year.
It won the Best Documentary award at this year's Galway Film Fleadh and is due to be screened at the Cork Film Festival next week.
It was due to be screened in UCG together with Brood, a half-hour film based on a poem by a Salthill writer, Ian Kilroy, which was directed by the actor Frankie McCafferty.
It deals with issues such as emigration and loneliness from the perspective of a twenty-something Galwegian.
According to Mr McCallig, the showing of the films was cancelled because of a mix-up over timetabling, as another film was already scheduled for tonight.
He said he would consider allowing a screening to take place at a later date, but added he would have "strong reservations" about showing any film which purported to promote the political views of any individual or party.
The students' union had a duty not to show political bias. "My concern is that we are an apolitical union," Mr McCallig said.
The producer of Dole Eireann, Mr Mike Casey, said he was first informed the films would not be shown because they were "too contentious". He was later told they would not be shown because of timetabling difficulties.
"While I accept that both films might be considered provocative in their own way, it was never my intention, as organiser of the showcase, to cause offence to the students of UCG, the executive of the students' union or the university itself," he said.
Last week Ming the Merciless, who was formerly known as Luke Flanagan but who changed his name by deed poll, was fined £150 at Galway District Court for possession of cannabis.
He told the court he had no intention of paying the fine and was prepared to go to jail for his belief that the drug should be legalised.