The IRISH RUGBY thread

[magpie seanie]

Good article. As I said not long ago rugby thinks it's doing a good job but it's not enough.

[Asal Mor]

Holy f**k this is looking very very bad for the two lads. . . If proven guilty they shouldn't be playing for Ulster or Ireland again!!

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/it-was-like-a-merrygoround-at-a-carnival-ireland-rugby-stars-accused-of-rape-boasted-about-sex-on-whatsapp-36547048.html?utm_content=bufferf14da&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Those defending them last year will be very quiet today. All the high-priced lawyers in the world won't save these scumbags.

How would anyone have been defending them when there was no information available about the facts of the case? It wouldn't have been "let's wait for the facts to come out before we start judging" by any chance, would it?

[Rois]

I discussed this with two colleagues who are season ticket holders at Ulster - their view is that whether they are found guilty of rape or not (apparently the taxi driver is going to be a key prosecution witness), the lifestyle choices these guys have made do not sit well with the family ethos of Ulster, and they wouldn't bring their children to cheer on these guys like heros.

The prosecution barrister has been brought in from England due to a perceived threat of intimidation. He is the same barrister used to prosecute loyalists convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, the Belfast schoolboy, and was brought in then for similar reasons.

[general_lee]

Holy f**k this is looking very very bad for the two lads. . . If proven guilty they shouldn't be playing for Ulster or Ireland again!!

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/it-was-like-a-merrygoround-at-a-carnival-ireland-rugby-stars-accused-of-rape-boasted-about-sex-on-whatsapp-36547048.html?utm_content=bufferf14da&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Those defending them last year will be very quiet today. All the high-priced lawyers in the world won't save these scumbags.

How would anyone have been defending them when there was no information available about the facts of the case? It wouldn't have been "let's wait for the facts to come out before we start judging" by any chance, would it?

This is Roscommon's answer to Helen Lovejoy you're talking to

[Milltown Row2]

The girl didn't even bring this to court, it was her parents that made her do it I heard...  I feel they'll be acquitted there are more males on the jury also, whether that makes a difference or not I don't know, but the girl was blattered by her own admission so be hard to trust her version of events also!

I've no idea of the truth on this so I'm not judging but all their reputations, the girl and fellas will be ruined

[Avondhu star]

I discussed this with two colleagues who are season ticket holders at Ulster - their view is that whether they are found guilty of rape or not (apparently the taxi driver is going to be a key prosecution witness), the lifestyle choices these guys have made do not sit well with the family ethos of Ulster, and they wouldn't bring their children to cheer on these guys like heros.

The prosecution barrister has been brought in from England due to a perceived threat of intimidation. He is the same barrister used to prosecute loyalists convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, the Belfast schoolboy, and was brought in then for similar reasons.

First day of evidence only.
When the alleged victim is cross examined we will see if things change. Also the accused might option to give evidence which will very interesting.
It's all about creating a doubt.

[Geoff Tipps]

I discussed this with two colleagues who are season ticket holders at Ulster - their view is that whether they are found guilty of rape or not (apparently the taxi driver is going to be a key prosecution witness), the lifestyle choices these guys have made do not sit well with the family ethos of Ulster, and they wouldn't bring their children to cheer on these guys like heros.

The prosecution barrister has been brought in from England due to a perceived threat of intimidation. He is the same barrister used to prosecute loyalists convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, the Belfast schoolboy, and was brought in then for similar reasons.

Yes whatever the outcome of the trial hard to see them playing for Ulster again.

[Rois]

I discussed this with two colleagues who are season ticket holders at Ulster - their view is that whether they are found guilty of rape or not (apparently the taxi driver is going to be a key prosecution witness), the lifestyle choices these guys have made do not sit well with the family ethos of Ulster, and they wouldn't bring their children to cheer on these guys like heros.

The prosecution barrister has been brought in from England due to a perceived threat of intimidation. He is the same barrister used to prosecute loyalists convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, the Belfast schoolboy, and was brought in then for similar reasons.

First day of evidence only.
When the alleged victim is cross examined we will see if things change. Also the accused might option to give evidence which will very interesting.
It's all about creating a doubt.

Agreed - but no doubting text messages that talk about spit roasts (a friend of a colleague had to explain to the board of Ulster Rugby what that was), which is where the first part of my post was going.  Not a crime if consensual.

[seafoid]

"The prosecution barrister has been brought in from England due to a perceived threat of intimidation. He is the same barrister used to prosecute loyalists convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, the Belfast schoolboy, and was brought in then for similar reasons."

NI is really fucked up if that sort of thing  is normal.
Here is another sign.
This sort of editorial would never appear in the south.

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/editors-viewpoint/colum-eastwoods-heartbreak-puts-life-into-real-perspective-36539475.html
"The SDLP leader is to be commended for revealing in public some of his deepest private emotions.

By doing this he has reminded the people of Northern Ireland on all sides that, so often, we have more in common than that which keeps us apart.

It is a lesson that all of us should take to heart.

Too often we are quick to condemn and to strike out at something or someone who arouses our deepest displeasure.

The fact remains, however, that if we are to have lasting peace, we have to learn painfully how to live together and to try to see the humanity behind the headlines, and also in each other's lives."

[seafoid]

I discussed this with two colleagues who are season ticket holders at Ulster - their view is that whether they are found guilty of rape or not (apparently the taxi driver is going to be a key prosecution witness), the lifestyle choices these guys have made do not sit well with the family ethos of Ulster, and they wouldn't bring their children to cheer on these guys like heros.

The prosecution barrister has been brought in from England due to a perceived threat of intimidation. He is the same barrister used to prosecute loyalists convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, the Belfast schoolboy, and was brought in then for similar reasons.

First day of evidence only.
When the alleged victim is cross examined we will see if things change. Also the accused might option to give evidence which will very interesting.
It's all about creating a doubt.

Agreed - but no doubting text messages that talk about spit roasts (a friend of a colleague had to explain to the board of Ulster Rugby what that was), which is where the first part of my post was going.  Not a crime if consensual.

The medical evidence will also be important

[Walter Cronc]

Olding is done for regardless of this. Jackson might, just might get a contract in Japan or with the Cheetahs or Southern Kings if not done.

If she was intoxicated its hard to see how the prosecution can get the verdict they want.

What would the maximum sentence be? 2-3 years?

[Milltown Row2]

Olding is done for regardless of this. Jackson might, just might get a contract in Japan or with the Cheetahs or Southern Kings if not done.

If she was intoxicated its hard to see how the prosecution can get the verdict they want.

What would the maximum sentence be? 2-3 years?

Did she go to the police right away? so will the medical evidence be present? Lots of questions.. horrible for anyone to go through this, takes a strong person to bring this to the police in the first place.. be interesting to see what texts/messages she had on her phone after the incident.

Initial talk is Jackson will get off with it, but as said, he'll never recover... This will be a huge lesson to anyone, nevermind whether they are famous or not, doing that sort (whether consensual) of thing will never end well

[GetOverTheBar]

Olding is done for regardless of this. Jackson might, just might get a contract in Japan or with the Cheetahs or Southern Kings if not done.

If she was intoxicated its hard to see how the prosecution can get the verdict they want.

What would the maximum sentence be? 2-3 years?

Heard 'on the grapevine' neither will play for Ulster again no matter what.

Also heard that despite the initial barrage as previous link, the defense case is very strong and the girl in question is going to come under serious scrutiny as to her private life. Belfast isn't a very big place, after all.

There are no 'winners' in this one.

[Keyser soze]

There have been some threads where lots of people have talked lots of bollocks but this one is really taking the proverbial biscuit with the amount of pure and utter bollocks talked about such a serous matter.

[screenexile]

Olding is done for regardless of this. Jackson might, just might get a contract in Japan or with the Cheetahs or Southern Kings if not done.

If she was intoxicated its hard to see how the prosecution can get the verdict they want.

What would the maximum sentence be? 2-3 years?

Did she go to the police right away? so will the medical evidence be present? Lots of questions.. horrible for anyone to go through this, takes a strong person to bring this to the police in the first place.. be interesting to see what texts/messages she had on her phone after the incident.

Initial talk is Jackson will get off with it, but as said, he'll never recover... This will be a huge lesson to anyone, nevermind whether they are famous or not, doing that sort (whether consensual) of thing will never end well

Did you read the article??

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/it-was-like-a-merrygoround-at-a-carnival-ireland-rugby-stars-accused-of-rape-boasted-about-sex-on-whatsapp-36547048.html?utm_content=bufferf14da&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer