Thoughts on #suemepaddy ?

Is saying you believe the defendant libel?

Not my field but I don't see how it can be. He was found not guilty, not innocent.

Olding seemed to grasp the idea that it was possible for the woman and him to have different and genuine beliefs about what happened.

If I were Olding's parents/agent/ legal team I'd be advising him to keep his head down and a wide distance from Jackson.

I also sort of hope Jackson tries to sue someone and hopefully a big person who has the pockets, confidence and ability to defend it.

Olding's response is definitely preferable to Paddy's "I'm a nice guy, honest!" Spiel.

I find that the ones who cry about being a 'nice guy' usually aren't that nice....

I must say, I think Olding's reaction of "I don't believe I did anything illegal but I regret my acts and my attitude and I hope the girl is ok" is a much better reaction after something like this.

Whether Jackson admits it or not he physically hurt a teenager and talked about women in an appalling way. He should be apologising for that, at a minimum. Instead of trying to force everyone to believe he's a nice guy

Dear god, that article is awful to read Maryz.

Yet another reason not to bother reporting a rape. Can't even enter the court room to fight your case without being hounded by rape apologists.

The human race disgusts me sometimes.

@PaulDacreRimsGeese

He had it on his twitter a couple of years back. Caused a bit of a kerfuffle and was taken down.

Boys will be boys, eh?

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ulster-rugby-players-wear-black-makeup-in-ethiopian-photo-paddy-jackson-dressed-as-slave-30424197.html

Why do men in the public eye show such a complete lack of self awareness after being involved in cases like this?

Paddy lad, you won your case, you tore the poor woman to shreds in the process, you must be so proud, bigman. Now sit down and shut the fuck up.

I don't know ROI law but in English law, and I think it's similar in NI, the answer is no, not necessarily. Fair comment, ie showing that it's a belief a reasonable person could have held, is a defence.

O'Riordan would only have to show on the balance of probabilities that him believing her is a belief a reasonable person could have held. This is why, if I were Paddy Jackson, I would not be issuing proceedings here. Because there's a big distinction between a court finding that you're not guilty beyond reasonable doubt and a court finding that something is more likely than not.

More scoffing

Had the blacking up photo gone public before his threats to sue or is that a new revelation?

Honestly though what an absolute and total fuckwit. Why on earth would anyone who's been accused of rape and then been found not guilty in what was at best a somewhat borderline case want to get it looked at in a balance of probabilities court?!

Can anyone with actual legal knowledge answer this?

Is saying you believe the defendant libel?

Saying x person is a rapist may be libel, but saying ‘I believe her’ does not libel the accused and acquitted. There’s no explanation of what you believe- just that you believe her. Who is her? What specifically are we believing? Those questions could be asked if someone sued you for libel.

Believing the defendant is a matter of opinion, surely? It’s like saying ‘I know OJ Simpson was acquitted in the criminal court but I personally believe that...’

Or do we now have to give up our opinions entirely?

@Irishfeminist good luck to the misogynist gobshite lawyer with that

Judge is a woman - Patricia Smith. And yes, she should be having trouble sleeping after what was allowed to happen in that courtroom.

@boreofwhabylon yes Paddy's lawyer has extended his threats to citizens gathering peacefully in support of the young woman and chanting "We believe her!" What a gobshite.

excitedly awaits summons

There's a bigger demo on in an hour or so. Gwan Dubliners!

The judge should've had quite a few more things to say than he actually did...

there we’re people jeering and scoffing from the public gallery as the victim spoke during the trial.

Seriously? The judge should have knocked that on the head immediately.

Apparently tweeting #ibelieveher is defamatory

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/rugby-rape-trial-libel-me-and-ill-sue-you-warns-jackson-36760750.html

I saw on twitter that there we’re people jeering and scoffing from the public gallery as the victim spoke during the trial. What the actual fuck Is wrong with people???

Is it wrong of me to hope he sues? For the laugh that'll be in it.

@Irishfeminist

Go! I'll be delighted to contribute to your crowdfunder if the racist rapist sues you

Another tweet saying that the woman concerned may have lost the battle but appears to have won the war.

No matter what the verdict, those messages between the men reveal exactly what they are.

Paddy Jackson is a wonderful example of that well known N Ireland saying 'you couldn't like him if ye reared (rared) him'

Wow, could I be sued for ambling down to Thursday's demo in Dublin city centre on my lunch hour? Bring it on! #gofuckyourselfpaddy

Imagine you're his mother. Imagine. I have two adult sons and it makes me feel sick to think of them involved in something like this. What must she be thinking.