Bastions of privilege have no excuse for thuggery

THE late rugby commentator Bill McLaren used to refer euphemistically to barbarous behaviour on the rugby pitch as “argy bargy”. Violence that might otherwise be regarded as grievous bodily harm were it to occur outside the rarefied precincts of middle-class sport could therefore be ignored as robust physicality.

But there can be no ignoring the scenes of appalling thuggery that erupted in the heart of Dublin 4, when Terenure College supporters clashed with those of Saint Michael’s College, two of the country’s elite schools.

The schools have an onerous responsibility to make sure that all who purport to represent them behave.

If they are unable to do so then their participation in the Senior Cup tournament must be called into question.

Both colleges are bastions of privilege and seek to espouse the highest values.

So for such violence to occur not even a mile from the scene of the death of Brian Murphy, at Club Anabel after a fracas between other rival rugby schools in 2000, is a cause of grave concern.

Surprisingly, despite the disturbing scenes, and the fact that gardaí had to be called to the incident, there were no arrests.

Many will wonder since when has it become lawful for gangs to be seen punching and kicking each other in a public place with impunity.