Ulster Rugby trial -continued

[ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo]

New thread.

Treacle I just checked out the Belfast Telegraph Facebook page and have struggled not to cry...partly due to shame, partly sadness and partly frustration. I am from N Ireland (I moved away once I was 18 but parents are there so it is still very much home), and I thought it was moving forward but I see nothing has changed and I was right to leave. It is attitudes like those from the people commenting on that page that will ensure I am never moving back. I am just so so angry and ashamed...

GrainneWail that story is shocking. The more I read, the more I see just how little value girls and women have in the eyes of men and society.

I know, ANameforToday it's such a saddening realisation.

I'm down home lambing ewes for the weekend so couldn't go this evening but just watched the local news which covered the protests. Well done everyone, the posters looked good and all v dignified and clear. Had to have a bitter laugh one of the rugby fans interviewed on the way in who said that she didn't like having other people opinions forced on her. Oh the irony. If the only thing ever forced on her was an opinion (by some people peacefully holding up a few banners) then lucky her.

PowerShare if only the reporter could have said to the woman your lucky that some man didn't force their dick into you. But of course that could be seen as defamation.
Our defamation laws prevent any balanced and fair debate on why there so few rape convictions because to do so effectively you need to use real life examples. Anti rape campaigns cannot do this without getting sued. Where as people who believe there are many false allegations can use whatever examples they like.
Our defamation laws stifle robust and honest debate

Ulster rugby have dropped them. I'm not convinced either way over their guilt or innocence, but given their general behaviour and horrid messages, Ulster rugby have made the right decision. Although I don't think they had much of a choice given the uproar here over the whole thing.

www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/rugby/paddy-jackson-stuart-olding-to-14530177

Winter it's not confirmed yet but I really hope it's true. I feel sorry for the next club that gets them

It is true. They can't confirm it officially just yet as they have legal things to tie up, but it's breaking news on all the local Facebook news pages.

Wow, I am amazed and somewhat heartened. I'd say yesterday's Bank of Ireland statement was the final straw.

I get the most immense sense of satisfaction at the thought of the pair of them feeling sorry for themselves at no longer playing for their beloved Ulster.

They will no doubt play rugby elsewhere, but anyone who grew up steeped in the N to grammar school rugby mentality will have a special place in their heart for Ravenhill and Ulster Rugby.

Boo hoo. Slap it up them. They are not victims in any way, their every moment of stress and strain and embarrassment over the past two years has been entirely self inflicted.

Ive had to ban myself from reading any comments under these articles. Nearly every other comment underneath that one was “they were found innocent”. Ffs! They weren’t let go from UR because of the verdict! They were let go because of their disgusting treatment of women!

That does feel like some small shred of justice. Agree, the comments from people are disgusting & so ignorant of almost any of the facts of the case.

I expect the pressure came from the IRFU.

I don't believe that Irish rugby could risk being seen to condone the attitudes these guys have shown in their messages. Ulster, as a club, might have been able to ignore it all (and the support for them in Ulster is much greater than down here) but once the sponsors had a look they were in real trouble.

I hope this leads to more "outing" of private messages, private chat groups etc etc. I have no issue with kids in particular, but also with adults, having spaces where they can chat privately. But I don't believe anyone would happily chat with their friends and use racist terms in the way these guys showed their misogynistic attitudes.

It's wrong, what they were saying to each other. Like Trump and his locker room humour, it's just plain wrong.

Zibbidoo, cheer yourself up by looking at the Irish Times FB page; all along the comments have been primarily showing absolute disgust at the mens' behaviour.

Well done (eve if it was for financial reasons) Ulster Rugby. Lets hope English, Scottish and Welsh clubs see them as toxic too.

news.sky.com/story/protests-at-ulster-rugby-over-players-sexist-attitudes-after-rape-trial-11329708

Delighted like most of you have already mentioned to wake up to this news

T'husband brought me this news with my coffee in bed this morning. I'm so pleased that the message is now being sent that there is no place in rugby for this kind of disgusting behaviour.

A good start to the weekend!

Thank goodness. I said to dh after they verdict, at the least, I hope they don’t get their jobs back. At least don’t let them be role models for children... thank you Ulster Rugby. You’ve made an example of them, you have done the, to coin a Northern Irishism, you've done the right and proper thing.

I think the most depressing comment on this whole sorry saga, and there have been thousands of them, was a comment I read last night. A man said that he is the father of daughters and if one of them were treated by men the way the young lady in this case was treated by PJ and his mates, he would be devastated. To which another man responded that he is also the father of daughters. He said if one of his daughters were raped he would be disgusted too. With her. He would be so disgusted he would disown her.

This is the response when all sponsors were asked their view on reinstating them.

www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ulster-rugby-and-irfu-officials-under-pressure-from-sponsors-1.3460021

A tweet from Amanda Ferguson

As fans poured into the “Home of Ulster Rugby” a man wearing UR jacket & his daughter - who was wearing an I SUPPORT PADDY JACKSON t-shirt - stopped in front of protesters so he could take a picture of the girl in front of the banners. A woman shouted at him: “Father of the year”

Treacle-that is disgusting. I really hope someone he knows gave him what for after that comment. There seems to be a trend that making the most extreme, shocking comment is the way to go to garner support for your side. His poor daughter if she ever comes across that.

cheer yourself up by looking at the Irish Times FB page; all along the comments have been primarily showing absolute disgust at the mens' behaviour.

Thank you maryz. I definitely need that.

Oh Bumble that is dreadful.
I do hope UR will wake up and do something NOW about this case you know about.