On February 24th, Jacob Barron withdrew from the race for Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) Communications and Marketing Officer. This news was broken by Trinity News (TN) following the Piranha Hustings on the same day, where Barron made a joke about date rape. This withdrawal also came the day before the polls opened for the TCDSU Sabbatical elections.
As he withdrew, Barron reached out to TN and spoke on the “bullying” he faced during the campaigning period from the Trinity Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) committee, as well as from current TCDSU president, Grace McNally, who is also running for reelection. Barron said to TN that he had a “bad time with the constant bullying of me and my very close friends by former and current SU sabbatical presidents, and members of the [Boycott Divestment Sanction] BDS committee.” Barron also made specific reference to McNally in his comment to TN, saying, “This includes Grace McNally who has publicly and privately acted in such a way that I would like to say is beneath her office but is unfortunately par for the course.” Barron went on to say to TN that, “I am tired of walking into SU council or House 6 and getting looks by people I don’t know and have never said anything bad to because I do not fit the small cult that is SU politics.” In his view, while speaking to TN, he believed that this bullying was due to a group of students being unable to deal with these oppositional views: “The reality is that a small handful of students despise dissent and can’t fathom that others would disagree with them. They insult people who voice opposition to their causes, whilst riding on the highest of horses of morality and social inclusion.”
In a prior interview with McNally with TN, she said that she couldn’t see herself working with Barron and said, “I cannot see him being in any way necessary to the group [of Sabbatical Officers]. It’s disappointing seeing him running, because I know for so many people, the union means so much, and it isn’t a joke.”
Speaking to the University Times, Harry Johnston, Chair of Trinity BDS and one name dropped by Barron, said, “I have never bullied Jacob or anyone else in my life. He has made these accusations without any proof because there is none. I have never been involved in an anonymous campaign which includes the anyonebutbarron Instagram page.” In a comment to TN on Barron’s resignation and comments, Johnston denied allegations of bullying, saying, “I was not and have never been involved in anonymous SU instagram accounts, including the account mentioned by Barron. I have treated him with decency in all our prior interactions.”
Speaking to the University Times, Johnston also spoke on the “jokes” made by Barron during the Piranha Hustings regarding his question meant to be a joking apology to women as well as what he believed to be Barron’s reason for dropping out, saying, “He is dropping out of the race because he joked about spiking someone’s drink, alluding to committing sexual violence.” He added, “Jokes like this are not acceptable in any way. His choice to deflect blame on to others instead of taking responsibility and accountability is hugely disappointing.”
Speaking to the University Times, McNally made the following comment: “At the Piranha hustings, Jacob Barron made a disgusting long winded joke about how he has spiked women’s drinks. I am not unsure as to who that makes a bully in a scenario but I am well used to at this point with being labeled as a “bully” purely for speaking up when needed. I think it is very clear Jacob’s behaviour is unacceptable. He has been held to account for making unacceptable rape jokes. This has no place in any place in our society, satirical or not.”
Jacob Barron has not yet responded to a request for comment.
— Update, February 25th 2026, 9:32 am —
The above article was updated to include a comment from Grace McNally.
