Union warns ‘students left with no choice’
STUDENTS are being forced to sign up to a sugar daddy dating site because of funding cuts, it has been claimed.
Seekingarrangement.com, which pairs up people for “mutually beneficial relationships on their terms”, said it has 10,000 Irish members.
Union of Students in Ireland president Michael Kerrigan said: “We’ve seen nationwide what has led people to this point. She passes as Paul & Niamh hold hands Especially with students, if you look at what has happened during the last decade we’ve seen the student contribution fee increase by 375%.
“We’ve seen consistent cuts to student grants in Budget 2010, 2011 and 2012.
“We have huge increases in student accommodation, especially in the major towns and cities, and people can’t afford it.” Mr Kerrigan was speaking after an Irish Mirror probe found three women willing to offer sex to our fake sugar daddy for between €280 and €300.
Another woman, who claimed to be an arts student, offered a pay-per-meet casual dating arrangement for €200.
The revelations emerged after online and mobile phone chats with 15 females on the site – with 12 of those listed as Irish and nine claiming to be students.
A Seeking Arrangement spokeswoman said the site was not “a front for prostitution”. She added: “Seekingarrangement is committed to providing a safe, clean and fun site for people involved in the Sugar dating lifestyle. Our practices for monitoring poor behaviour on the site will continue to improve, but this story in no way supports what we stand for as a company.” Marcus pushes Niamh for answer IT’S the end of an era tonight on Fair City when Niamh bids farewell to Carrigstown.
Dublin actress Clelia Murphy’s role as Niamh Brennan comes to an end but there’s a “surprise twist in store” for her onscreen partner Paul, played by Tony Tormey.
Clelia, 40, said she was leaving the soap to pursue new career opportunities – and she is hotly tipped to take part in next year’s second season of Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars.
The actress said it was a “privilege” to play Niamh for 22 years and added that she “hopes this isn’t the end for Niamh Brennan – only the next chapter”.
In the show, Niamh’s former lover Marcus Orsetti returned to Carrigstown with a lifechanging offer.
And she can’t help be tempted by the promise of a fresh start... in Fiji.
■■Fair City is on RTE One at 8pm tonight.