'All my money goes on fees and rent': Frustrated students take to the streets of Cork

One student is commuting four hours a day from Kilkenny to study in Cork

Students protesting college fees in Cork. Some of them are in a situation where they have to decide whether to pay their rent, or buy food. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Students took their fight against college fees, rising living costs and the housing crisis to the streets of Cork on Monday, to show their frustration at what they describe as a crisis in education.

It marked the first of three days of regional protests organised by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) under its ‘Cost of College’ campaign.  The protest at the Library on Grand Parade included representatives of the 60,000 students from Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, and Carlow that make up the USI Southern Region.