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Protests have been organised across the country today in the wake of the not-guilty verdict handed out by the jury to Paddy Jackson and his teammate Stuart Olding.

Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison were also found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

Public opinion clearly shows an opposing view to the verdict, with the #IBelieveHer trending in Ireland since yesterday, and now thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the verdict.

Here's a glance at what's happening around the country right now: 

Dublin 

 

Smashing the patriarchy with mother and the twins #istandwithher #ibelieveher

A post shared by Roxanna Liam (@roxynl) on

 

Ireland, you have to do better for your women.. #ibelieveher #repealthe8th #fightback

A post shared by Wendi Griffin (@gr1ff1ngold) on

Cork

 

We believe her. #ibelieveher

A post shared by Audrey Ellard Walsh (@audreyellardwalsh) on

Belfast

Galway

Feature Image // Twitter 

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“The young lads went overboard but this is what young lads do on occasion. They have suffered far too much.”

This was a comment written by Billy Keane, in the comment section of The Irish Independent, in the wake of the Ballyragget scandal.

In case you need a bit of refreshing on the Ballyragget case, a scandal erupted in the small Kilkenny village after some photos of the intermediate hurling team celebrating a club victory went viral.

There were strippers involved, and claims that one of them, Fifi, was paid for performing a sex act on a player.

But of course, instead of being thoroughly investigated for their viral (literally thousands of people saw the pictures and videos) misconduct, the men (not boys, not “young lads”, but grown-ass men) were given nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

This culture of ‘boys will boys’ and ‘it’s just a bit of craic’ is a cover for a much deeper misogyny that has reared its ugly head in Ireland recently. We’ve had enough, it’s time for Ireland’s #TimesUp moment.

If the trial of four rugby players, including Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, has shown us anything it’s that ‘lad culture’ is strong in sport- and that sport will stop at nothing to protect its own.

Let me preface this by saying that I have absolutely nothing against rugby or the GAA. Sport is a fantastic way of bringing families, communities and entire countries together. It is a treasured social outlet for many men and women. Professional and dedicated sportspeople deserve our highest respect, but that does not mean that they are above the law, despite their acquittal of all charges clearly stating otherwise. 

Male GAA and rugby stars command the same amount of notoriety and power, as film stars and Hollywood hotshots do in the United States. We’re a small nation, so to make it big, most of our actors and musicians head for the bright lights of the States or London. But one thing we refuse to export are sportspeople.

In rugby, our national team have taken on Goliaths like England, France and the All Blacks, and we’ve won. This is an immense source of Irish pride, and it’s hard not to feel something when our team is given the Six Nations or places in the World Cup.

Those men (and women, the ladies team deserve far more recognition than they get) are representing us, they are Ireland on the pitch.

So, what happens when one of our stars is accused of rape? The “lads only club” kicks in.

Lad culture and rugby are synonymous. Don’t believe me? Ross O’Carroll-Kelly created an entire series about it.

According to a report published by the National Union of Students in the UK, Lad Culture in universities is damaging and sexist. Lad Culture can be defined as a version of masculinity that promotes pack mentality, excessive drinking, multiple sexual partners and overtly homophobic, sexist and aggressive language in the form of “banter”.

While the study focuses on Lad Culture in universities, it does note the connection between sports and ‘laddisms’.

“‘Lad Culture’ was thought to be particularly influential in the social side of university life,” states the report.

“Extracurricular activities and sports in particular were singled out as key sites, and it was reported that sexism in such environments could spill over into sexual harassment and humiliation.”

This ‘banter’, while explicitly sexual and violent is usually dismissed as “just a bit of craic”. Speaking out about it or challenging offensive sexual speak leaves us to open to being called “dry”, “hysterical”, or even worse, “one of those man-hating feminists”.

Women, and men, uncomfortable with these laddisms are left to suffer in silence- or even become compliant and join in on the ‘banter’.

The ‘banter’ flying about the Whatsapp group the morning after the aforementioned alleged rape further proves this.

The morning after the acts took place, one of the rugby players posted a selfie of himself with three female party-goers, captioned “Love Belfast sluts.” 

Charming. 

A friend replied, “Boys, did you lads spit roast lasses? Legends!! … why are we all such legends?” to which the man responded: “I know. It’s ridiculous.” 

The conversation continued on a similar vein, with one message asking if the women were “Brassers”- Belfast slang for prostitutes.

“Two days after the alleged rape, at 11.28am,” writes The Irish Independent. “Mr McIlroy sent a message to a friend stating: ‘Pumped a bird with Jacko on Monday. Roasted her. Then another on Tuesday night.’”

To be honest, they sound more like they were describing a chicken dinner, than actual sex. 

Image result for me too

Rape jokes and other such lad culture tripe serve to dehumanise women, completely disregarding any kind of consent. She is no longer a woman, sister, daughter, friend. She is a “bird” waiting to be “pumped” and “roasted”.

The fact that that defence lawyer called these texts a "titillating sideshow", only proves the power of misogynistic power of "banter" over a woman's right to speak her truth. 

This is not just ‘banter’ between team mates, it’s symptomatic of a wider disregard for consent. In the words of Stuart Olding, “I didn't force myself on her. I presume she wanted it to happen. She didn't have to stay, she could have left.”

Okay, let’s break this one down.

They’re rugby players, it’s literally their job to be as physically strong as possible. By his own admission, Olding had consumed “eight cans of Carlsberg beer, four pints of Guinness, two gins, five vodka and lemonades and three shots of tequila and sambuca.” Combine an athletics physical strength with that amount of alcohol and even what might not seem to be any force for them could literally crush a normal person.

Now to, “I presume she wanted it to happen.”

No. Just, no.

He “presumed” she wanted to have sex with him, because why wouldn't she? They’ve constantly been told that they’re brilliant since they were tackling a teddy in their cribs. In Ireland, the recognition that sports receive is the equivalent to a Hollywood A-lister. Why wouldn't any woman want you? It goes with the territory. Wrong.

Couple this egotism with the laddist ignoring consensual conversations, any regard for the woman’s wishes in this situation has been ignored.

As the old saying goes, “If you assume, you make an ‘ass’ of ‘u’ and ‘me’.”

And apparently, none of this was enough to actually convict any of them. All four have walked free. 

It’s not funny, it’s not banter. It’s the last bastion of overt and accepted misogyny of our so-called “equal” society.

Like I said before, sport is not the only area where “lad culture” flourishes.

Sport doesn't have to be like this. In fact, the team bond and their visibility make them an excellent place for open conversation, debate and education. Just look at soccer's 'Give Respect, Get Respect' Campaign. Yeah, it didn't solve racism but at least it CALLED IT OUT.  

Take a look at the Times Up movement in the States, it’s only once we start an open and inclusive conversation can this be fixed. Dragging the problem kicking and screaming into the spotlight instead of writing it off as just another grey area.

The days of hushing sexual assault and harassment under the carpet embroidered “boys will be boys” are over. Let’s take what happened in Belfast as a beginning, a beginning of a brighter, healthier, more inclusive era for Ireland’s sports teams.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to talk about consent, not just women. It starts with a simple replacing of “It’s just a bit of craic” with “Lads, cut it out.” It starts with saying "I believe her". 

Just because they've walked away, doesn't mean that women are going to be silenced.  We owe it to her to speak up. We owe it to ourselves, our sisters, friends, co-workers to call time on this bullshit perception that men can get away with saying and doing whatever they want. 

We owe it to our daughters, to be able to tell them that we're the reason that they can go out and feel safe. 

We owe it to our sons, to teach them that real men respect women. 

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The jury in the trial of the Belfast rugby rape trail has found all four men not guilt on all charges.

The complainant had alleged she was raped by Ulster and Ireland rugby player Paddy Jackson, and orally raped by his teammate Stuart Olding.

Blane McIlroy (26), from Royal Lodge Road denies exposure, while 25-year old Rory Harrison, from Manse Road was charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

All four men denied the charges made against them throughout the nine-week trial.

The jury, which consisted of eight men and three women, reached their unanimous verdict after three hours and 40 minutes of deliberation.

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Jurors are continuing to hear evidence in the rape trial of two Ireland and Ulster rugby players, as audio recordings are played to the court.

Paddy Jackson, 26, and Stuart Olding, 24, both deny raping a woman at Mr. Jackson's Belfast residence in 2016.

The court has so far heard statements from a number witnesses, including the victim herself, who addressed the judge and jury from behind a blue curtain so she didn't have to face her alleged abusers.

Jurors have now been presented with audio recording of the police interviews which took place just two days after the alleged rape.

During question, Olding told the PSNI's rape crime unit that he “didn't penetrate her vagina with my penis at any point."

He also told detectives that he did not see Jackson penetrate the woman.

"I didn't see that," he said.

During further questioning, Olding added: "I didn't see Paddy penetrating her from behind. He was behind her but I didn't see him penetrating her."

He also rejected claims that he forced the victim to perform oral sex and when asked by police what made him believe she had given consent, he said: “She was doing it. I wasn't forcing her.”

Meanwhile, a juror in th trial had been discharged due to illness. The 11 remaining jurors will continue to hear the evidence presented from both sides.

The trial is expected to conclude in mid-March. 

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Trigger Warning: This article contains descriptions of rape and sexual assault.

The trial of Ireland and Ulster rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding continues today. 

The men, aged 24 and 26, are accused of raping and sexually assaulting a then 19-year-old at a Belfast residence in 2016. 

Both men deny the charges against them. 

A third man faces a sexual offence charge and a fourth is to be charged with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Yesterday, the alleged victim gave an account of her experience at the hands of the sportsmen. 

She claimed that she was forced to perform oral sex on one man while being raped by the other simultaneously, and that she was raped by both men in turn. 

Giving evidence behind a screen, the alleged victim broke down while giving her testimony, according to The Journal

She also claims she was left with injuries following the alleged attack.

When asked why she was now coming forward with her claims, she said: 'Because the more I thought about it… Rape is a game of power and control.'

'They rely on your silence, and you take the power back over the situation when you actually do something about it.'

The trial will continue today, and the alleged victim will be cross examined.

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Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are due in court this morning to face rape charges.

The Ulster and Ireland rugby players have strongly denied the allegations made against them, with Stuart Olding's solicitor saying he “is anxious to clear his name in court.”

Jackson, 25, is charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. Olding, 24, is charged with two counts of rape against the same woman.

The assault is alleged to have taken place in Belfast in June of last year.

Four men were arrested and questioned in relation to the incident last summer, however, they were released pending a report being submitted to prosecuters in Northern Ireland.

The two other men have been charged with lesser counts of exposure and perverting the course of justice.

The IRFU and Ulster Rugby have relieved the player from their duties until the court process is over.

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Ulster and Irish rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are among four men to have been charged by the PSNI in relation to an alleged rape. 

Four men questioned about the incident, which is alleged to have taken place in Belfast in June of last year, are to be prosecuted, according to the Public Prosecution Service.

Both men have denied the charges and a solicitor acting on Jackson's behalf said he was “very disappointed” with the verdict.

Jackson, 25, and Olding, 24, face a rape charge while a third man faces a sexual offence charge and a fourth is to be charged with intent to pervert the course of justice.

"We are very disappointed at the decision of the PPS to prosecute given the particular circumstances and facts known in this case.

"Our client rejects completely the allegations made against him and we are confident he will be exonerated in due course."

A joint statement from Ulster Rugby and the IRFU read:

"The IRFU and Ulster Rugby are aware that Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been charged by the PSNI in relation to serious allegations made against them.

"The players have cooperated fully and strenuously deny the charges."

"The IRFU and Ulster Rugby take these allegations extremely seriously."

"To allow the players time to address this matter fully Ulster Rugby and the IRFU have agreed that they be relieved of their duties and obligations until the conclusion of this process.  Appropriate support structures will be put in place with them during this time."

"As this is a matter for the Public Prosecution Service it would be inappropriate to comment further."

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