A high-profile rape trial that has dominated the Irish media for months has ended with four male defendants being acquitted of all charges.
Two Ireland and Ulster rugby players, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, were cleared of rape by a jury of eight men and three women who returned unanimous "not guilty" verdicts.
A third Ulster rugby player, Blane McIlroy, was found not guilty of exposure in the trial at Laganside Crown Court in Belfast. A fourth, Rory Harrison, was cleared of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
The Irish Times reports that the verdicts were greeted by "muted cries of happiness" from the court's public galleries.
A 19-year-old female student from Belfast accused Jackson and Olding of raping her in Jackson's bedroom during a party on the 28th of June 2016.
During the trial deeply offensive and abhorrently misogynistic WhatsApp messages sent by the defendants were presented as evidence. A female witness told the jury she had entered the room and seen Jackson engaging in penetrative sex with the alleged victim, despite his denying that this had taken place.
As she discharged the jury following the 42-day trial, Judge Patricia Smyth said: "This has probably been the most difficult trial that any jury in Northern Ireland has ever been asked to adjudicate on."
The verdict has caused backlash on Twitter, where the hashtag #IBelieveHer is now trending. Lawyer and women's rights activist Shola Mos-Shogbamimu said the verdict had left her with "no confidence in the legal system".
Check out a selection of responses to the verdict shared on Twitter, including one containing the horrifying WhatsApp messages presented as evidence.
#IBelieveHer This #Belfast trial gives victims of #rape and #abuse no confidence in the #Legal system. #EnoughIsEnough. Reminder #NotGuilty doesn't mean she lied. @womensmarchlon @WILPublication https://t.co/m7J8w2HaPM
— Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) March 28, 2018
Today is a day where I hang my head low and say I am Irish. Hang my head low and say I am from a country who’s law system does not care about women. Hang my head low and say how women in my country should go through traumatic rapes and abortions and then get over it. #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/09nQn5LG5A
— Samuel Casey (@_SamSavage_) March 28, 2018
You are raped, you tell your friends, you attend a doctor, you are examined, you go to the police, you give evidence, you stand trial, you have your underwear held up in court, you are called a tramp, a regretful slut, you did everything right, you never had a chance #IBelieveHer
— Áine Heffernan (@aineheffernan) March 28, 2018
The approach to cases of sexual assault and rape needs to change. Less women will want to go to court, but I have so much respect for this woman who stood up to four entitled men. We need men to learn about consent. #IBelieveHer
— Sinéad Gleeson (@sineadgleeson) March 28, 2018
My niece took her own life rather than face the trauma of a rape trial. The CPS wanted to proceed with a prosecution against her will. Huge admiration for the woman in the rugby rape case for seeking justice. For what it's worth #Ibelieveher
— Dave Smith (@ffflow) March 28, 2018
Please support rape victims and rape charities at this time if you can, understand THIS is why rape isn’t reported don’t pressure people to report, bc the chances of justice being served are slim, heart goes out to that woman and anyone else this affects #IBelieveHer
— georgie (@georgieIockhart) March 28, 2018
I feel sick to my stomach. I can't get those WhatsApp messages out of my head. She was so brave and took so much shit and got nothing. So much damage has been done that cannot be taken back. #IBelieveHer
— Rachel O’Neill (@ronronzo) March 28, 2018
What sort of message does this send out to victims of sexual abuse.. a jury of 8 men to 3 women did she ever stand a chance.. Apparently for you don’t scream it’s not rape #IBelieveHer
— Jules Mahon (@jules_mahon) March 28, 2018
The system is so stacked against victims. This is a depressing reminder, the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt in relation to rape is an almost impossible hurdle to overcome. Lets end this, lets change this because women are not respected in this country. #IBelieveHer
— Katie Rooney (@KtotheRIZZLE) March 28, 2018
I never want to hear anyone ask why a victim didn’t report their assault or rape. This is why. We all know who will be blamed, attacked, punished. #IBelieveHer
— Roe McDermott (@roemcdermott) March 28, 2018
If you have experienced sexual violence of any kind, please visit Rape Crisis or call 0808 802 9999.
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