‘Still relieved of all duties’
Men reveal mixture of defiance and regret
PADDY Jackson is looking forward to representing ‘his province and country’ after being acquitted of rape and sexual assault, his lawyer has said.
The 26-year-old rugby star was found not guilty of rape and sexual assault following a gruelling nine-week trial that gripped the entire island.
His colleague, Stuart Olding, was also found not guilty of rape, while friends Blane McIlroy, who was accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison, who was accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information, were also acquitted.
In a fiery speech outside the court, Mr Jackson’s solicitor, Joe McVeigh, lashed out at the police and prosecution service, claiming that the decision to prosecute his client had been driven by his status as ‘a famous sportsman’.
‘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,’ he said.
He also hit out at the ‘vile commentary’ expressed on social media about Jackson, saying that his client had endured an ‘onslaught of toxic contempt’.
This abuse and misinformed commentary had caused several days to be lost in the trial, particularly during its final stages, he said. With the allegations cleared, Mr McVeigh left no-one in any doubt that his client expects to add to his 25 Ireland caps. ‘His main priority now is to return to work; that means getting back on the rugby pitch, and representing his province and his country,’ he said.
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby yesterday said the two players ‘continue to be relieved of all duties’ while its officials review the matter.
Police and prosecutors in Northern Ireland yesterday defended their decision to bring charges against the men.
Bringing the complaint to trial was ‘ultimately right’, the Public Prosecution Service said, while the Police Service of Northern Ireland said it respects the verdict and maintains faith and trust in the legal system.
Mr McVeigh’s claim that the prosecution was driven by his fame was rejected by Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman. She told reporters: ‘We carry out all investigations regardless of background or status.’
Ms Hilman said instances where the complainant, who is entitled to anonymity, had been named on social media are being investigated by police. She paid tribute to the ‘resolve and confidence’ of the woman, and acknowledged the huge debate sparked by the trial.
Detective chief inspector Zoe McKee, senior investigating officer in the case, said the woman had been left ‘upset and disappointed’ by the verdict, but stood by her decision to press charges.
Ms Hilman said police had seen a rise in reports of rape during the trial, compared to the January/ February period last year. Marianne O’Kane, assistant director and head of the Public Prosecution Service’s serious crime unit, paid tribute to the ‘courage and determination of the complainant and her family’. She urged victims of crime to still come forward.
Stuart Olding’s statement struck a more conciliatory tone than that of Mr Jackson. Through his solicitor, Paul Dougan, while stressing that any sex was consensual, he said he was sorry for any hurt the woman had experienced: ‘It was never my intention to cause any upset to anyone on that night.’
‘Onslaught of toxic contempt’