The Authorities at NUI Galway are carrying out an internal investigation into a student protest at the college last night which caused an interview with former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to be abandoned.

Mr. Ahern was forced to abandon his address to the Literary and Debating Society after scuffles broke out between students and Gardaí.

About 20 members of the Free Education for Everyone student protest group staged a protest at the University as Mr Ahern arrived on campus.

Mr Ahern was booed and jostled and the event was called off.

An 18 year-old man was arrested for public order offences but was later released and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

A statement from NUIG today confirms that the college has a Code of Conduct and condemns the actions of those involved in last night's incident.

Authorities in the college have started an internal investigation and if protestors who behaved in a disorderly manner are identified as students of NUIG, disciplinary action will be taken.

Ironically, the Lit and Deb Society is to hold a debate at the college on Thursday evening about whether student protesting has gone too far.