Questions have been raised regarding the location of historic University of Limerick Students Union (ULSU) records dating from 1991 to 2021.
The situation arises amid ongoing debates regarding transparency and accountability at the University of Limerick.
Eoghan O’Mahony, recent UL graduate and former Chairperson of the UL Student Life Council, is seeking clarity on the missing documents. These records include meeting minutes, union policies, referenda results, and audited accounts.
Previously, these records were listed on an official register. They were advertised to students as accessible via a University of Limerick SharePoint link. While other materials including historic union newspapers from the same era remain available, these records have vanished from public view.
Mr. O’Mahony first raised concerns while serving as a director of UL Student Life CLG. He noticed a poster advertising access to the records, which was later removed. No explanation was given regarding where the records were held.
UL Student Life CLG, the current student body entity, declined to confirm if it holds the files. They stated they were “not in a position to provide” the information.
Separately, the University of Limerick refused a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the documents in December 2025, claiming the records are not under its control. They argued the files belong to UL Student Life CLG, which is a separate legal entity who are not subject to the FOI Act.
Mr. O’Mahony is now seeking a reconsideration of that FOI decision. He argues the records pre-date the incorporation of UL Student Life CLG and questions of custody and control have failed to be addressed. He is also questioning how electronic records once publicly available can no longer be accounted for.
“I was elected twice by students to represent them, and transparency was a core commitment of both my manifestos,” Mr. O’Mahony said.
“Raising this issue and seeking clarity about these records is a continuation of that mandate. This is not a personal matter, but a matter of ensuring that governance records, which were publicly advertised to students, are now properly accounted for.”
The University of Limerick has confirmed that the SharePoint site that publicly showcased ULSU historic records was not migrated during a system change and is no longer available. Student Life CLG has not confirmed whether it currently holds the pre 2021 records.