One of Trinity's oldest societies has come in for severe criticism from members of the public after it sent out a promotional magazine to freshers' home addresses depicting drug use and nudity.

Copies of Philander, the magazine of the TCD Philosphical Society, were sent out to all incoming freshers, along with information from the publications committee and advertisements.

"It was basically an introduction to college and the society, who we are and what we do - it's supposed to be funny," said Shane Glacken, steward of the society.

Most of the objections focussed round a photo of a semi-naked man, in a bicycle helmet, apparently injecting drugs into himself while sitting on a toilet seat. This was a part of the magazine describing the society's "private business" section of meetings.

"Some parents were not impressed. Previous complaints have been about free-drinks receptions and how they'd rather their daughter wasn't plied with drink - but there's been nothing like this," said Glacken.

Wasn't this nothing but a cheap publicity stunt? "If it was," Glacken said, "we probably couldn't come up with a better one, but we were just surprised people have nothing better to do than complain."