Ulster Rugby stars cleared of rape
A review will now be conducted by Ulster Rugby and the IRFU.
Last updated 1st Nov 2018
Two Ireland rugby internationals have been acquitted of rape after a nine-week trial.
Paddy Jackson and team-mate Stuart Olding had always denied raping the same woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016.
Jackson was also found not guilty of sexual assault, a charge he also denied.
The jury of eight men and three women at Belfast Crown Court returned its unanimous verdict after deliberating for a total of three hours and 45 minutes.
The foreman answered "yes'' when asked by a court clerk if the 11-member panel had reached a verdict on which they were all agreed.
The jury was brought into court shortly before 12.30pm on Wednesday.
All four defendants consistently denied all of the charges against them.
THE ALLEGATIONS
The incident was alleged to have happened during an after-party at Jackson's home in south Belfast in June 28, 2016.
The woman told the court she was attacked after going upstairs to retrieve a clutch bag, having decided to leave the party because the "mood changed''.
The woman claimed Jackson had followed her into the bedroom, pushed her onto the bed pulled down her trousers and pants, then penetrated her vagina with his penis from behind.
She further alleged Stuart Olding walked into the room and forced her to perform oral sex.
Paddy Jackson consistently denied having intercourse with the woman. Stuart Olding said the oral sex had been consensual.
The court heard that a witness, Dara Florence, walked in and Jackson had asked Ms Florence if she would like to join in.
Some time later it was alleged Blane McIlroy arrived at the door naked and holding his penis.
It was at this point, the woman said her fight instincts kicked in and she fled.
McIlroy denied exposure and told the court that consensual sexual activity took place with the woman.
Meanwhile, the trial heard how Rory Harrison dropped the woman home in a taxi shortly after 5am.
He sent her a text saying: "Keep your chin up you wonderful young woman.''
In further communications the next day the woman told Harrison that what had happened "was not consensual''. He said he did not believe it.
He was initially treated as a witness but was later charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information. He was found not guilty.
Jackson and Olding were arrested two days after the alleged attack on June 30, 2016.
They answered all questions during interviews but when they were re-interviewed in October they made no comment, on legal advice.
The court sat on weekdays but in an unusual step to make up lost time, a special Saturday sitting was held.
On week two, jurors were taken by bus to see the layout of Paddy Jackson's home at Oakleigh Park.
All other proceedings have taken place inside courtroom number 12, one of the biggest in the Laganside complex.
The 100-seat public gallery has been packed to capacity on almost all of the 40 plus days.
In total, 30 witnesses gave evidence including the four defendants and the complainant whose testimony was heard over eight separate days, and verdicts were returned on day 42.
The court heard from 10 police officers, two doctors, a forensic scientist and a taxi driver who had driven the complainant home on the night in question.
When the trial opened on January 30, a total of 12 jurors were sworn in - nine men and three women.
But about halfway through the panel was reduced to 11 after one juror was discharged because of illness.
THE VERDICT
Today the defendants sat side by side in the dock dressed in dark suits.
They appeared relaxed and at times reassured each other as the jury was brought back.
Jackson, head tilted, looked towards the front of the packed court room.
For the most part Olding sat impassively, occasionally whispering a word to his co-accused.
McIlroy rubbed his eyes and sipped water from a plastic cup while Harrison stared straight ahead.
Having been told by Judge Smyth to stand as verdicts were returned, each rose to their feet and clasped their hands in front of them
Not guilty verdicts were also returned for two other men charged in connection with the alleged attack.
Blane McIlroy, 26, was found not guilty of exposure while Rory Harrison, 25, was found acquitted of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
All four men stood in the glass dock of courtroom number 12 in the Laganside complex as the verdicts were read out.The judge had earlier warned members of the public not to react.
The high-profile trial was originally scheduled for five weeks but lasted for nine weeks at Belfast Crown Court.
"I'd just like to thank the judge and the jury for giving me a fair trial, my parents for being here every day, as well as my brother and sisters.''
There were emotional scenes outside the courtroom as family and friends of the accused hugged and kissed each other.
Three defendants Jackson, McIlroy and Harrison were permitted to leave the dock first.
Judge Smyth said: "The jury has found you not guilty. You are free to leave the dock.''
A short time later the court was told that no evidence had been offered by prosecutors on a charge of vaginal rape against Stuart Olding.
Judge Smyth directed the jury to find him not guilty.
Allowing Olding to go free, the judge said: "Mr Olding the jury has found you not guilty of this count also and you are now free to leave the dock.''
THE REACTION
Speaking outside Belfast Crown Court, after he was acquitted of rape and sexual assault, Ireland rugby international Paddy Jackson said: "I'd just like to thank the judge and the jury for giving me a fair trial, my parents for being here every day, as well as my brother and sisters.''
Jackson also thanked his barristers and solicitors.
"Out of respect for my employers I've nothing further to comment,'' he said.
"Paddy leaves court for the last time today as he entered almost 10 weeks ago - an innocent man."
Jackson's solicitor Joe McVeigh said: "We've this to say on behalf of our client Patrick Jackson. We're grateful to the jury for reaching what was a common sense verdict of not guilty on all counts.
"Paddy has been consistent in his denials and in his account. Consistency had never been a feature of the complainant's evidence, long before she entered the witness box.
"So these acquittals should come as no surprise to anyone.
"Paddy leaves court for the last time today as he entered almost 10 weeks ago - an innocent man.
"The prosecution made much of the perceived privileged position provided by virtue of Paddy being an international rugby player.
"We say that it was this very status as a famous sportsman that drove the decision to prosecute in the first place.
"Much has been said in the course of this trial by way of criticism of the police investigation.
"We've little to add to what's already been said, but it's our belief that the investigation has been characterised by the turning of a blind eye to inadequacies in the evidence of the complainant combined with very apparent investigative bias.
"Paddy and his parents have paid a heavy price - personally, professionally and financially.
"This price was paid despite the fact that he has never been anything other than entirely innocent.
"On the face of it, this robust assertion of its independence by the jury embodied in these acquittals, for all four men, may suggest that the trial process is in good health.
"That is not the case. Vile commentary expressed on social media going well beyond fair comment has polluted the sphere of public discourse and raised real concerns about the integrity of the trial process.
"To that end we want to thank the learned trial Judge Patricia Smyth for her management of this trial in the face of an onslaught of toxic contempt, particularly on Twitter.
"Several days of this trial were lost due to problems thrown up by the intrusive infection of the process by social media.
"All the lawyers have been distracted by having to man the barriers against the flood of misinformed, misconceived and malicious content on the internet, particularly during the last phase of this trial, and worryingly even at the hands of public servants who should have known better.
"There's no reason to believe that this problem will not worsen. To that end we invite the office of the Lord Chief Justice, the Attorney General, and the Public Prosecution Service, to enter into fresh discussions with us to look at more robust mechanisms that can strike an effective balance between everyone's rights, but that properly secure the integrity of our criminal justice system.
"As for Paddy, his main priority now is to return to work, that means getting back on the rugby pitch, and representing his province and his country.''
ULSTER AND IRFU REVIEW
In a statement, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby said: "The IRFU and Ulster Rugby note the verdict handed down today at the Belfast Crown Court in relation to the case brought against Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding. We wish to acknowledge that this has undoubtedly been a difficult and extremely traumatic time for all involved.
"To respect the judicial proceedings, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby postponed any internal review of the matter with the players, until the proceedings concluded.
"IRFU and Ulster Rugby officials will review the matter, in line with existing procedures for all contracted players. A Review Committee, made up of senior representatives of the IRFU and Ulster Rugby, has been appointed and will conclude its review as soon as practicable. The players will continue to be relieved of all duties while the Review Committee is in process and determining its findings."