‘I think I need a holiday,’ says ex-students’ union president impeached in row over abortion info
KATIE ASCOUGH has not ruled out running for UCD students’ union again after they voted overwhelmingly to impeach her.
Ms Ascough was removed from her position as student union president after a vote was taken in the Dublin university.
In total, 6,611 voted, with 4,540 in favour of impeachment and 2,032 against. That represents a 69pc vote in favour of removing Ms Ascough, a pro-life supporter.
Voting was triggered by a petition signed by 1,200 students who requested to impeach Ms Ascough over her “executive decision” to ban information on abortions from a student publication, despite it being previously available in the college.
The result followed two days of voting across campus in what was the biggest voting turnout in UCD history.
Speaking on ‘The Pat Kenny Show’ on Newstalk yesterday, Ms Ascough said that she was required to step down from office with immediate effect.
“I no longer have a job,” she said, as she confirmed that a by-election would take place to fill the open sabbatical officer’s position.
When asked if she planned to run for SU president in the next election, Ms Ascough said it’s “not beyond the bounds of possibility” but it’s “unlikely”. “I think I need a holiday,” the medicinal chemistry student said, before explaining that she is still working towards her goal of becoming a scientific journalist.