It has been confirmed to the College Tribune by the Returning Officer via email that Presidential candidate Rebecca Hart has been suspended from canvassing from 12-3pm today. In an email Returning Officer Stephen Devine said “The Returning Office found there had been a breach of election rules. The Returning Office is imposing the following punishment as a result: No canvassing by or on behalf of Rebecca Hart is take place between the hours of 12pm and 3pm today, the 22nd of November at, near or in any buildings or concourse in the main UCD campus and Carysfort.”

The breach of election rules appears to be an email that was sent by the UCD Access & Lifelong Learning Centre to students which appears to endorse Ms Hart. A copy of the email was obtained by the Tribune and is shown below.

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Above: The email sent to students by UCD Access and Lifelong Learning Centre

At the time of writing neither Ms Hart nor her opponent Barry Murphy have responded to request for comment.


Rachel O’Neill – Editor