Aibhe McBride has been elected Junior Common Room (JCR) president on the fourth count with 36.6% of first preference votes following an election with the highest number of candidates running five years.
McBride beat Gráinne Ní Ailín, Amir Sallachi, and PJ Cronin followed, who received 23.8%, 22.3%, and 16.2% of first preference votes, respectively.
A Business, Economics, Political Science, and Sociology major from Mayo, McBride’s campaign focused on integrating societies with events located at Trinity Hall (Halls) and improving common spaces, especially study spaces.
“I want to maintain, if not better, the fantastic reputation, network and status the JCR have with the local community, accommodation office and Trinity,” McBride said.
The results of the JCR elections were announced in Mother Reilly’s pub in Rathmine on March 28.
Remi Laloy was elected vice president/treasurer on the fourth count, receiving 42.5% of first preference votes. Candidates Isabelle Janssen and Maria Kopyeva were eliminated in the second and third rounds, and Laloy beat Lila McNamee in the fourth round.
Laloy, a Law student from Wexford, based his manifesto on “promoting the unforgettable experience that is first year.” He seeks to establish financial counselling, sponsorships, and brand partnerships, as well as increase funding for casual, non-drinking events.
Mia Taylor was elected secretary, beating Agathe Seiler in the first round with 65.7% of the votes.
A Biomedical student from Mayo, Taylor’s campaign centred upon creating a bottle deposit return scheme, study sessions, and JCR-sponsored walks to bus stops and Halls from nights out.
Abhainn Obaoill-Coyle was elected welfare officer on the fourth count, beating Finn Baneham, Miriam Greenwood, and Maela Hanot-Renvoize.
Obaoill-Coyle, a Political Science and Social Policy student from the Mourne Mountains, hopes to create a Welfare Team that “creates an internal welfare support network to help distribute the workload and protect each other’s wellbeing as well as the non-welfare [team] Halls residents.”
Freddy Offereins was elected ENTS officer, winning 88% of first-round votes in an uncontested race. Offereins, from Kenmare, Kerry, plans to involve residents more in planning events, choosing themes, and picking music.
Offereins wants to add diversity to the JCR events: “I am exploring more options in Dublin such as Farrier and Draper, which provide a more exclusive and elegant feel to Dublin’s nightlife, but not forgetting to get down and dirty in Dtwo or Diceys,” Offereins’ Manifesto said.
Alisha Shivnani, a Biomedical student from Spain, was elected international officer on the third count, receiving 43.5% of first-round votes. She plans to host a fresher’s diversity workshop, create a group chat for international students, and organise the Halls international trip well in advance in hopes of a higher attendance rate.
“I want to be an international officer that makes a difference, not just someone who organises events, but someone of support for all the newcomers,” Shivnani said.
Ryan Gallagher was elected sports officer in the third round, receiving 44.1% of first-preference votes. Gallagher plans to expand the five-a-side soccer and basketball events, raise funds for better gym and sporting equipment, organise healthy eating classes, and establish live sports viewing in Halls.
Sean Power was elected music officer in the first round, receiving 77.3% of votes. Power has already started to prepare for next year’s Halls musical.
“I can’t wait to start planning for Hallschella, the next big Halls music festival, which will feature bands and artists from Halls and Trinity,” Power said.
Halls accommodates 995 Trinity students, including first years, scholars, and members of the Irish Language Residency Scheme (An Scéim Cónaithe).
