UD St. Patrick’s Day ends in six arrests, vehicle destroyed: PHOTOS
Zoë Hill | Print Editor-in-Chief
Photo of UD St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Lowes Street by Keegan Gupta, director of digital media and photography.
At least six people were arrested during the University of Dayton’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration Saturday, according to university officials.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at the university have been a time-honored tradition including annual “St. Paddy’s” rituals of “40s at 4”— drinking a 40-ounce alcoholic beverage at 4 a.m.— a red-haired student race coined “The Ginger Run” and a day drink on Lowes Street.
The celebration has been rescheduled by students for the past three years following the 2018 St Paddy’s Day incidents that moved students’ spring break over the holiday for the subsequent years. The 2020 celebration was canceled and unintentionally replaced by a chaotic street party dubbed “Corona Fest” the night UD students were asked to leave campus due to the pandemic. This year’s celebration took place March 25.
A vehicle was overturned by people taking part in the celebration, which prompted a heavy police presence on campus as UD Public Safety and local law enforcement worked to clear Lowes Street around 4 p.m, Students in attendance also reported being tear-gassed by police in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
The university released the following statement to the students following the police presence and arrests.
“A gathering today on Lowes Street was peaceful for most of the day. Unfortunately, just after 4pm, it was interrupted by a small group who violated our community standards by destroying a vehicle, overturning it on the street and then jumping on top of it.
“As officers tried to bring that situation under control, bottles, cans and other objects were thrown at them. Additional law enforcement resources were called to the scene. Officers then broadcast orders to clear the street from both police cruisers and a loudspeaker. The University also sent email and text messages asking people to leave the area. There were at least six arrests made while officers were clearing the street.
“In addition, there were numerous calls for welfare checks, and first responders, including our student-run EMS service, had to transport multiple people to the hospital for alcohol-related issues.”
For continued coverage of St Paddy’s Day, follow Flyer News on Instagram @flyernews.
Photos taken by Flyer News’ Director of Digital Media and Photography Keegan Gupta and submitted through social media by students Jenna Johnson, Dylan McNamara and a few who asked to remain anonymous.
If you have any additional photos or videos from St. Paddy’s Day 2023, send them to Flyer News on Instagram (@flyernews) or by emailing Flyer News at flyernews@udayton.edu.