UMass Student Files Suit Over Blarney Blowout Arrest

BOSTON (AP) — A University of Massachusetts student arrested during last year's rowdy pre-St. Patrick's Day parties known as the Blarney Blowout has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Amherst police.

Thomas Donovan says in the suit filed Wednesday he was assaulted and falsely arrested on March 8 after video recording officers appearing to use excessive force.

Donovan was pepper sprayed and tackled. He says police tried to break his cellphone.

The university initially suspended him but reversed course after an investigation. The criminal charges were dismissed.

The suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield seeks unspecified damages.

Police and university officials did not immediately return messages.

The university has developed a plan to prevent problems this year after more than 50 people were arrested last year, less than half of them students.

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