THE new academic year brings with it a sense of dread for many of the residents living close to universities. Parties with loud music, drunkenness on the streets, interfering with parked cars, public urination and other forms of unacceptable behaviour are par for the course.

Three Garda CCTV cameras have been installed around Cork’s university quarter as part of a wider crackdown on antisocial behaviour.

A leading emergency consultant in Cork has described Arthur’s Day as “really regrettable” and “the last thing this country needs”.

Residents living near University College Cork are bracing themselves as a major Garda operation began last night in a bid to contain Freshers’ Week chaos.

Under-fire landlords have accused University College Cork of effectively ignoring them despite their efforts to tackle alcohol-fuelled problems caused by student tenants.

Students at Athlone IT are being offered bus transport in and out of the college after a young woman was attacked near the campus – the fourth in 18 months.

Gardaí were today investigating possible links between a serious assault on a 19-year-old woman in Athlone and three similar attacks.

A PAGE THREE model added a splash of colour yesterday to the stony grey halls of Trinity College Dublin, kicking off the university’s Freshers’ Week with style and glamour.