Ulster rape trial: Fears victims will be disuaded from reporting

Victims of rape will be dissuaded from reporting the crime against them after witnessing the way the Ulster rape trial was conducted, it has been claimed.

In the wake of the verdict, Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) tweeted: “This case has been deeply troubling in particular for survivors witnessing the conduct of the case — many survivors are telling us they will now never report.”

In a statement, RCNI said all four defendants were acquitted on all charges “after a relatively short period of reflection by the jury”.