Rape case rights ‘set up as competition’

The head of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) said a conversation of “competition” developed around the Belfast rape trial.

“In the last number of weeks, as we’ve watched the Belfast trial, a conversation has sort of been set up around the rights of the defendant and the rights of the complainant,” said Clíona Saidléar, director of the RCNI.

“What often is portrayed in that, is that it’s a competition — if you give complainant rights, you take them away from the defence. This isn’t the case.”