Juror in Belfast rape case could face arrest over comments made online after verdict
A JUROR in the Belfast rape trial could face arrest and a contempt of court charge over comments they made online following the trial’s verdict.
The remarks – posted in the comments section of an article on Broadsheet.ie – were made on Wednesday night, some seven hours after the verdicts had been delivered.
The juror subsequently published a statement about the matter on the same website yesterday morning, in which they identified themselves as the foreperson of the jury.
It is understood that the juror is a volunteer contributor to Broadsheet. ie. The matter has been referred to the Attorney General’s office in Northern Ireland by the Lord Chief Justice.
It is understood that the comments made by the juror related to the female complainant at the centre of the trial and matters relating to the police investigation.
Upon notification of the matter on Thursday, the Lord Chief Justice instructed the juror to have the comments made on Wednesday night removed immediately.
In their statement published yesterday morning, the juror said: “There is now an order, delivered to me yesterday, by Judge Patricia Smyth QC, for the jury members to not comment on this case at all.”
The juror has promised to “abide by this”.
A spokesperson for the North’s Attorney General John Larkin is considering whether the comments are a contempt of court.
The PSNI said: “We are aware of comments made on a social media platform.”
However, the Irish Independent understands that if action is taken on the comments, it will not be until next week at the earliest, as the Attorney General’s office is closed until April 4.
Broadsheet.ie said it had also been contacted by the PSNI. The website’s editor, John Ryan, said: “They wanted screengrabs of [the juror’s] comments since June of last year.”
It is the latest twist in the fallout of a trial that ended with the acquittal of the four defendants.
Ireland and Ulster rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were found not guilty at Belfast Crown Court of raping the female student at a house party.
Mr Jackson (26) was also found not guilty of sexually assaulting the 19-year-old woman.
Blane McIlroy (26) was found not guilty of exposure, while Rory Harrison (25), was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and of withholding information.