500 students disciplined in year

A car was vandalised during trouble involving students on St Patrick's Day

The University of Ulster and Queen's have confirmed more than 500 of their students were disciplined for anti-social behaviour last year.

Among those fined, suspended and warned were students involved in disturbances during last year's St Patrick's Day.

Alastair Adair, pro vice-chancellor at the University of Ulster, said the number of complaints had decreased in the last 12 months.

However, he said the authorities were taking a robust response.

"The university is being very active in terms of the discipline - now there are cases still ongoing - but there is a very strong disciplinary message going out," he said.

"New students, who will be coming back next week and the freshers' week, there's a very strong message going out there, that the university won't tolerate anti-social behaviour."