Why Are Irish Women Posting About #IBelieveHer?

Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are the two rugby players who were accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in the early hours of the morning of 28th June 2016 were found not guilty. Their colleagues were also charged: Blane Mcllory for indecent exposure and Rory Harrison for both perverting the course of justice and withholding information. They were also found not guilty.

People are now posting on social media using the hashtag #IBelieveHer to show solidarity for their accuser and several rallies have been planned across Ireland.

So, what happened?

The court heard that on the night of the 28th, the players went to the VIP area in Ollie's nightclub in Belfast city centre. They then went back to Paddy Jackson's house in two taxis with four young women, including the 19-year-old woman who was in the middle of the case.

The woman said that Mr Jackson had followed her into the bedroom and pushed her onto the bed, as she was trying to retrieve her purse. Prosecutors told the court that Olding entered the bedroom while Jackson was raping the woman and proceeded to join in. Allegedly, Mcllory also wanted to join in, but the woman escaped before further action was taken. The fourth defendant, Rory Harrison, allegedly helped her home in a taxi.

Whatsapp messages given as evidence, showed that originally the young woman did not want to go to the police, for fear of not being believed.

Around 36 hours after the incident, the woman attended a sexual health clinic and a sexual health referral center. She had suffered bruising and vaginal bleeding. It was then, that she decided to go to the police.

Giving his opening statement, prosecutor Mr Hedworth urged the jurors not to stereotype those involved, saying:

‘As this case concerns a young woman going to an after-party with young sportsmen, there is the danger that stereotypical views are taken of what such a complainant should expect.’

During the trial, 30 witnesses gave evidence, including 10 police officers, the four defendants, the victim and the taxi driver who drove her home.

The jury was made up of 12 individuals, 8 men and 3 women. They deliberated for 3 hours and 45 minutes before finding all men not guilty.

Judge Patricia Smyth said about the case: ‘This has probably been the most difficult trial that any jury in Northern Ireland has ever been asked to adjudicate on.’

While the senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Mckee said the case was thoroughly and robustly investigated.

‘We pursued all lines of investigative inquiry, we brought all of the evidence together, we worked in close collaboration with the Public Prosecution Service from the start.’

Though both men have been cleared of the allegations in court, they remain suspended by the Irish Rugby Football Union while they conduct their own investigation

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**READ MORE: The Debrief Investigates Hormonal Contraception And Mental Health **

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.