NUIG students could be expelled if public health guidelines are breached

Image: Flickr/Twitter

Footage of a large crowd of students gathering at Spanish Arch in Galway has been described as 'simply unacceptable'.

NUI Galway has warned students that they could face expulsion if public health guidelines are breached.

The message comes after large crowds of students were seen gathering at Spanish Arch in the city last night.

The scenes have been condemned, amid concerns it could increase the risk of tighter Covid-19 restrictions being introduced in Galway.

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Ollie Crowe labelled the scenes "simply unacceptable".

Alongside footage from the gathering last night, Mr Crowe wrote: "Have sympathy for those entering college for first time during Covid but these scenes are simply unacceptable, particularly with recent growth in Galway cases. Have contacted Millstreet Gardai & written to NUIG President though I fear damage may be done."

Have sympathy for those entering college for first time during Covid but these scenes are simply unacceptable, particularly with recent growth in Galway cases. Have contacted Millstreet Gardai & written to NUIG President though I fear damage may be done. pic.twitter.com/IASFtk6Eqr

— Ollie Crowe (@olliecrowe_ie) September 28, 2020

Meanwhile NUIG Students' Union President, Padraic Toomey says the behaviour was unacceptable.

''You can go to far with anything and we need to show them that, and point this as a message of 'you can't do this again', it's not safe for anyone'', he said.

''We don't want the few tarnishing the names of the rest, we do just have to work together to point out when something is wrong''.