#IBelieveHer trending following rugby rape trial verdict

Earlier today, all four defendants were acquitted in the Belfast rape trial.

Ireland and Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson, 26, has been found not guilty of rape and sexual assault after a trial at Belfast Crown Court.

His team-mate Stuart Olding, 25, has also been found not guilty of rape.

The verdicts were returned after the jury had deliberated for three hours and 45 minutes.

The jury of eight men and three women also found Blane McIlroy, 26, not guilty of exposure and Rory Harrison, 25, not guilty of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

Since the news broke, #IBeliveHer tag has been trending on the various social media platforms.

Solidarity rallies to say #IBelieveHer tomorrow at half 12:

Belfast Courthouse
Dublin, the Spire
Limerick, Bedford Row

Please RT.

— Sinéad Redmond @[e-mail] (@sineadredmond) March 28, 2018

The #IBelieveHer hashtag gives an insight into how deeply upsetting this court case was for so many people. If nothing else, it must surely lead to a change in how rape trials are conducted. Is there any other crime in which the alleged victim appears to be the one on trial?

— Sarah McInerney (@SarahAMcInerney) March 28, 2018

People who are on pay as you go contracts who probably don't end up using their €20 credit at the end of the month, let's do something useful with it 🙌 #IBelieveHer pic.twitter.com/1r5f1ZfRhV

— keevs 🦕 (@GhostlySpells) March 28, 2018