Tired of Media attaching a significance to criminal's having gone to Trinity

Mr Pseudonym · 12-02-2014 04:53PM #1

Just saw this story in the Indo about a thirty-year-old member of the Republican group Eirigi who was found illegally in possession of guns and ammunition. The headline reads, "Trinity College Graduate Ursula Shannon found guilty of possession of handguns and ammunition."

Surely her alma mater is only relevant if she's still in college? The implication is clearly that Trinity graduates are not expected to go astray - either because of social background or academic intelligence. I would reject that misconception by saying that a slim majority of TCD students are in receipt of Student Contribution concessions, and, if my experience is indicative, there are many here who are criminally stupid.

Here's a similar story about a thirty-three y/o Trinity graduate published last year: "Trinity graduate jailed for 15 years over €29m cocaine haul."

SHOVELLER · 12-02-2014 11:17PM

In fairness it is relevant as you say in your implication. Being criminally stupid is not exclusive to TCD.

Great rack though. Up the ra:D

Ravelleman · 15-02-2014 10:13AM

It's the Independent. What did you expect?

15-02-2014 03:43PM

It's flattering in a way to TCD that the media feel the need to mention this

Mr Pseudonym · 28-02-2014 06:15PM

Trinity graduate gets six years for possession of guns | Irish Independent.

You'd wonder how someone with such strong Republican sympathies was content with studying at the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin. <-- from memory : pp

A Neurotic · 28-02-2014 07:34PM

Wouldn't bat an eyelid at the Independent, but Irish Times emphasised it too.

https://www.facebook.com/irishtimes/posts/10152315042020955?stream_ref=10

Very odd.

looksee · 28-02-2014 07:40PM

How is it any different to 'mother of three arrested for whatever' or Teacher/ hairdresser/ nurse found guilty of xxx. Its just headline with trimmings to attract a bit more attention.

Mr Pseudonym · 28-02-2014 07:44PM

looksee wrote: »

How is it any different to 'mother of three arrested for whatever' or Teacher/ hairdresser/ nurse found guilty of xxx. Its just headline with trimmings to attract a bit more attention.

Most people don't identify themselves by their education - "Hi, my name's Mr Pseudonym - I completed a PhD several years ago" vs "Hi, my name is still Mr Pseudonym - I'm an accountant."

A Neurotic · 28-02-2014 07:45PM

It seems like such an arbitrary addition though. Surely "Eirigi member" would be a more salient headline?

I have a similar gripe with common headlines a la "Female Garda assaulted in Dublin". Ooooooh, one of dem women!

hfallada · 28-02-2014 08:05PM

I think the emphasis on the fact they went to TCD, is that certain organisations such as the one mentioned into the article. Their members are all portrayed as uneducated and from a working class background. This person mentioned had a PhD and not what you typically except from a member of one of these organisations

Mr Pseudonym · 28-02-2014 08:07PM

I don't think anyone would suggest that it's not a relevant piece of information. It's just that it's sensationalist to mention it in the headline.

Tramps Like Us · 28-02-2014 08:13PM

You'll notice similar in the reporting of murders in the media, they go to lengths to point out that the accused is a "professional" or an "architect" and the coverage is altogether softer than it is if a working class person is the accused.

Take this for example:
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/architect-graham-dwyer-accused-of-elaine-ohara-murder-makes-second-court-appearance-29699597.html

I knew Ursula from years ago and she's a good person, very intelligent and capable. Very silly of her to get caught up in or partake in stuff like this.

stealinhorses · 28-02-2014 09:07PM

If anything, the title is flattering to people who have gone to Trinity. The whole point is that you wouldn't expect someone like that to commit crimes, so it's only natural to mention the supposed contradiction - an educated criminal.

No different than saying "Mother abandons own child", "Gun enthusiast shot in accident" or "Math professor stumped by simple calculation on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

crazygeryy · 28-02-2014 09:12PM

She's a cracking chick.TCD here i come.

howaya · 08-03-2014 03:38PM

Tramps Like Us wrote:

I knew Ursula from years ago and she's a good person, very intelligent and capable. Very silly of her to get caught up in or partake in stuff like this.

capable people do stuff, as in this case, rather than 'get caught up in or partake in'.
very capable indeed
no phD yet though, hfallada

Tired of Media attaching a significance to criminal's having gone to Trinity

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