Ulster and Ireland rugby stars found not guilty of rape in high profile trial

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Two Ulster and Ireland rugby stars have been found not guilty of rape in Belfast Crown Court. 

26 year-old, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, who's 25, were accused of attacking the same woman at a house party in 2016. 

They pleaded not guilty during the high profile case. 

Mr. Jackson has also been cleared of a further count of sexual assault.

Two other men were also found not guilty of charges connected to the case. 

Blane McIlroy, 26, from Royal Lodge Road in Belfast was also found not guilty of exposure. 25 year -old Rory Harrison was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice

The jury of eight men and three women took three hours and 45 minutes to reach a verdict. 

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."

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.

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."