Ulster Rugby Rape Trial - Not guilty to all charges

I believe her.
I am sickened by the 'yay, lads' responses I've seen on Twitter.
I cried for the second time in a similar situation (first was the rapist Ched Evans).
I was helped by DS and DH who are equally angry.

How did we get here in 2018. We are one of the most developed countries in the world. How are we here?

Oh Ffs the woman is being named in the comments section of one of the papers.

In fact, having read this and a few more articles about him, I'm more sympathetic to Olding than to Jackson who seems to have plenty of money to go along with his entitled attitude.

I believe Olding is genuinely sorry. I don't think he thinks he did anything illegal, but I think he gets that what happened was (morally at least) wrong.

Jackson, on the other hand, will be backslapping in the rugby club over a pint, I think.

You've put it so well Maryz.

Jackson who is allowing his lawyer to talk about suing for recovery of costs shock and saying she has a "victim mentality".

what a vile bastard he is!!

I have much more time for Olding (who apologised) than for Jackson who is allowing his lawyer to talk about suing for recovery of costs and saying she has a "victim mentality".

I can understand the men and their families being desperate to avoid conviction and "ruining their lives". If they were my sons I would be ashamed, but I guess as a family we might stand with them in public, whatever we said in private - but I would expect them to change their attitude pdq and do something positive to show they have done so.

Unlike the others, Jackson seems to think he's above everyone else and can say what he likes about a teenager who he, at best, used as a piece of meat. Threatening to sue and referring to her as having a victim mentality (as he allowed his lawyer to do) is disgusting.

Finally, the barristers; I would be so embarrassed if any of them were my sons/husband/brother/friend. Imagine being married to a man who is happy to treat a young girl as she was treated, who is happy to dismiss the WhatsApp messages as banter, who is happy to stand up in court and tear a girl to shreds for money and fame.

Shame on them.

Oh I’m grand. Just very angry today.

Fooooock Zib!!! Sorry - I am so used to the cover up in that sector I just assumed!! I hope you're ok! You sound it!!👍👍👍

Jesus wept!

Poor woman! I know rape victims and they didn't report because why would you with a shittily low conviction rate and a system weighted in favour of attackers?

I have daughters - I feel sickened.

Not even last. sadly these attitudes are well spread out. I’m so ashamed of some of my family for what theyve come out with during this trial. For one thing, it has confirmed that I made the right decision never to disclose my own rape and abuse.

I believe her

Zib I'll make a guess that you work in Belfast, close to an interface, in the voluntary sector!!!

The whole thing is so depressing. I hope they never play rugby again for Ireland or Ulster. Wishing the girl involved all the best.

I’m in NI too. What I’ve heard in conversation about this has been pretty bad and I won’t repost it here. I actually won’t discuss the case with anyone IRL anymore because it’s too fucking depressing hearing the 1950’s calling. Two people have tried to bring it up with me today since the verdicts were announced and I’ve diverted the conversation.

box that happens a lot to be fair

Ah come on. I have no skin in the game and hopefully my posts will not result in me being sued either!

Rufus, haven't a clue what you are saying but I am hopeful that you mean well, as I do. despite all the vitriol.

Thanks for those posts lastgirl and buck, to hear opinion in NI.

I work for a tiny charity-myself & one other woman are very vocal about the case & feel like we have sort of dragged a few others along.

It's difficult to make an informed decision if you haven't followed the case closely so like most things in life, a lot of NI & other folk have made snap judgements based on stereotypes, personal history, massive assumptions etc

I have 2 slightly younger men -30 working at my home atm & they say the sort of WhatsApp 'banter' in the case is what a fair amount of their peers do! When I pushed they said maybe not to the same extent but they weren't surprised by it & had a 'who knows what happened' attitude.

Small movements can impact big changes & I really hope the victim feels the outpouring of support that I've seen for her

Oh man ....i was going for vaguely threatening

Then box said 'chill'

Cant say box

So we are not all backward in NI!!!

I work in a massive company in NI (and globally) and the verdict amongst my peers was that it was a complete travesty and the revolting men got away with rape!!

Men and women were giving off about it and they thought it was shocking and disgusting!!

Oh Lord,

I seem to be the Devil Incarnate here.

I am just an anonymous poster. And I can say and post exactly what I like as long as it it is not litigious.

Chill folks.

lastgirl only rumours and gossip but I have heard from a couple of different people that Olding’s family have disowned him. Could be bollocks.

Rufus,

That sounds ominous, what are you thinking about me! Spill please....

Never mind, discussions like this do actually morph sometimes, despite our best intentions!

I believe her, she is brave and hope she has support and more legal advice to take this case further.