A PUB IN Maynooth is donating the proceeds of its Thursday night cover charge to the family of a student from the local university who was violently attacked on Sunday evening.
Arts student Kym Owens was walking back to her college digs in Moyglare Abbey, an estate adjoining the north campus of the university, when she was violent assaulted and left unconscious on the footpath.
The 18-year-old, from Castleblayney in Monaghan has been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Blanchardstown Hospital in Dublin for her injuries, which are said to include several facial fractures.
The Roost, a bar popular among the 11,000-strong student population at NUI Maynooth, has wished the first-year student a speedy recovery from the attack, which took place in foggy conditions just minutes after she got off a bus from home.
Gardaí have appealed for information from anyone who was around the area on Sunday evening, or on the A2B bus from Castleblayney to Maynooth, via Ardee, Carrickmacross and Slane.
The bar’s management said it would donate Thursday evening’s takings to the Owens family, and would set up a collection bucket for patrons this weekend.
A minority students have criticised the bar for the gesture, although many more praised the move. The pub also plans to hold a raffle of items, with proceeds donated to the Owens family, from Castleblayney.
A local hairdressing salon, Zeba, has also donated a gift set to be raffled off.
SU appeal
Meanwhile, the Maynooth Students Union has appealed for students to approach them if they feel they need support, after several students expressed concerns about safety in the town.
“We are sure we speak for every student here in the University when we say our immediate thoughts are with Kym and her family and friends,” MSU president Dillon Grace told TheJournal.ie.
“We want our students to know that in whatever way they are affected, MSU is available to offer help, advice, and support.
“The purpose of Maynooth Students’ Union (MSU) is to help and support all students throughout their college life. Our door is always open for students to approach us and ensure they get the support they need.”
Dillon and the rest of the MSU met Superintendant Gerry Wall of the local gardaí yesterday.
“For any student who feels more comfortable or finds it easier they can also email the Maynooth University Security Office on security@nuim.ie or leave a note in the letterbox of the Security Office in the Arts Block,” he added.
No arrests have been made as yet.
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