In the name of the sons and daughters of Ireland, and in deep respect for the memory of those who endured the long centuries of occupation and the profound suffering inflicted upon the Muintir na hÉireann, we stand today to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our nation’s culture, language, and customs.
We remember the historical struggles of the past, and we pledge to continue the fight against all forms of totalitarianism, oppression, and injustice.
Exercising our sacred right to self-determination and the freedom to form associations, as proclaimed in Bunreacht na hÉireann (specifically Article 40.6.1° regarding the right to freely express beliefs and form associations, and Article 40.3 regarding the protection of personal rights), and in strict accordance with relevant international norms, including Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, we hereby make this declaration.
We, the Committee of the TCD Law Student Colloquium, originally established on 30 August 2007 by our predecessors who believed in the power of knowledge, freedom, justice, community, integrity, and the rule of law, have been driven to this path. We take this step due to the continuous threats, intimidation, abuse, humiliation, exclusion, breaches of law, and threats of physical destruction directed at our members. It brings us immense pain to witness the profound injustice that was and continues to be inflicted upon our members. They have been bullied, subjected to harassment, and excluded due to their affiliation with the TCD Law Student Colloquium (2007–2026). We do not feel safe. The College has done nothing to protect us. We remain deeply grateful to the vast majority of good people within the College who have shown us kindness and support.
Today, we are made to feel entirely unwelcome. Our members endure relentless bullying, harassment, and exclusion, yet we are met with absolute inaction and indifference from the College. Our members are being unlawfully excluded, denied due process, stripped of justice, and deprived of any opportunity to respond or defend themselves. The malicious intent behind these actions is to erase and confiscate everything we have diligently built and facilitated over the past twenty years. We are being targeted specifically for our profound dedication to Ireland, Gaeilge, culture, and customs. We face unwarranted hostility for our solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are enduring immense suffering in their struggle for self-determination against the totalitarian military Israeli regime. We have been subjected to intense hostility and hate for our principled support of the Garvaghy Road and the local community of Portadown. We were the only student group in Trinity College that had the courage to publicly speak out against the injustices in Portadown.
As the rightful successors to the great legacy of our predecessors, following a recent vote at our committee meetings where we thoroughly considered all possible options, we have decided to reform and declare our full independence. We hereby proclaim the establishment of the Trinity Irish Colloquium (TrICol) as an independent institution, entirely separated from Trinity College Dublin. We assume and inherit all obligations and duties previously placed upon the 19th Committee of the TCD Law Student Colloquium accordingly.
TrICol will become an independent, non-governmental educational organization established as the successor initiative to the TCD Law Student Colloquium (2007–2026), building upon its educational activities while expanding its mission to serve the wider society. TrICol advances education, lifelong learning and skills development through educational events, training programmes, knowledge-sharing, public engagement and accessible learning resources. It promotes human rights, equality, social inclusion, legal literacy, democratic participation, intercultural dialogue and international cooperation. TrICol will support personal and professional development, encourage critical thinking and active participation, and facilitate collaboration between individuals, educational institutions and civil society organizations. Gaeilge, Irish culture and Ireland’s rich cultural heritage form a fundamental cornerstone of TrICol’s identity and activities.
TrICol committed to promote Gaeilge, preserving and celebrating Irish cultural traditions, strengthening awareness of Irish heritage, and advancing the visibility, participation and influence of Irish-speaking communities in international educational, cultural and civic affairs. Through international partnerships, cultural exchange and educational initiatives, TrICol seeks to amplify Irish voices, foster intercultural understanding and strengthen the international presence of Gaeilge and culture. TrICol works for the public benefit by expanding access to education, empowering individuals and communities, promoting respect for human dignity and fundamental rights, and contributing to a more informed, inclusive and equitable society.
Its activities are guided by independence, accessibility, transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law, with its resources directed towards fulfilling its educational and public-benefit objectives.
We are not abandoning our efforts to bring justice regarding those who harmed us and acted against the TCD Law Student Colloquium (2007–2026); we will continue to work to uncover the truth. We tried to resolve everything peacefully, but we only met with hate and hostility. Because of this, we cannot even imagine how we could work normally in TCD (all rights reserved) after all of this. We cannot imagine a future where, even if all those who harmed us were to apologize, we could work with them again. The damage inflicted is too great, and the trust is completely lost. We are convinced this is the right decision; it will protect our members and save the Colloquium from destruction and total closure. We will continue to bear the legacy of our organization, now expanding our activities.
The transition process will take place over the coming weeks, and we welcome you to this new chapter of our community.
We stand committed in the absolute certainty that we are doing what is right. The generations of the past and the generations of the present look upon us with hope, and we will not let them down.
Together to victory. And may Saint Brigid help us.
Trinity Irish Colloquium Committee
Add comment
Comments