Rugby Rape Trial: Protests in wake of not guilty verdict

They were hastily arranged, emotionally charged protests, but the message was unanimous: The manner in which cases of rape and sexual abuse are handled needs to change.

The reverberations from the rugby rape trial spread yesterday, along the Liffey and down the Lee, taking in other towns and cities along the way, as protesters turned out to challenge a system they believe does little to encourage victims to come forward.

They came chanting “I believe her”, laden with yellow flowers, taking up the theme of the Yellow Rose campaign that began at Belfast Crown Court last month during the nine-week trial which culminated in the acquittal this week of Ireland rugby internationals Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, as well as their friends Blane McIlroy, who was acquitted of exposure, and Rory Harrison, who was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.