The breakdown of discipline at the National College of Art was a matter of such grave concern to the Minister for Education 30 years ago that he sent a handwritten letter to the Taoiseach seeking permission to raise it at the next meeting of the Cabinet.
The college was then located in Dublin's Kildare Street and the Minister, Mr Padraig Faulkner, informed Mr Lynch in a letter dated April 21st he had met a number of professors the previous day.
"They told me that the situation there is now chaotic. Discipline has broken down completely. Classes are being disrupted and part of \ college has been taken over by the students." The Garda Síochána had been asked to keep order during forthcoming examinations.
A list of proposals from the professors urged that "the ten students who are ringleaders in the disruptive tactics be expelled forthwith". The names were given but this part of the file has been replaced with a photocopy from which the names have been deleted.
The professors added: "At least two of the ringleaders are taking their instructions almost daily from a member of the staff of Trinity College who is a well-known 'internationalist'."
The activities of a section of the students allegedly included "destruction of property, defacing of walls and furniture with obscenities, complete disregard for authority, intimidation of the main body of students, harassment of and insolence towards the Director and professorial staff, including one case of physical assault".
