41,000 SIGN PETITION ON JACKSON

A PETITION calling on rugby chiefs to conduct a review into the behaviour of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding following their acquittal on rape charges this week had racked up more than 41,000 signatures by last night.

The petition to the IRFU states that Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy, and Rory Harrison ‘were found not guilty of charges brought against them’.

‘However,’ the petition goes on, ‘the trial highlighted a worrying conduct and attitudes of players which many do not feel are representative of Irish people. The Irish rugby team act as ambassadors. We do not want other countries to think that these attitudes are representative of Irish people. The Irish rugby team are also heroes of many young people. We do not want them to feel that what has been revealed throughout the trial… will be acceptable or celebrated. We do not want young rugby players and fans to think this is okay behaviour to emulate.’

The petition asked the IRFU to consider Mr Jackson and Mr Olding’s evidence, records of their WhatsApp correspondence, their public image and the IRFU code of ethics. It asked for the findings to be acted upon and made public.

‘This is the minimum you can do to ensure the integrity of Irish rugby,’ the petition says.

The IRFU said that a review is already ongoing and declined to comment further.

Jackson and Olding were stood down from Ireland and Ulster duties after charges were brought against them in 2017.

After Wednesday’s verdict, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby acknowledged that the case had been a ‘difficult and traumatic time for all involved’.