The PSNI are investigating a jury member of the belfast rape trial after they commented under a broadsheet article explaining how they arrived at the verdict for the case.
The Irish Times reported that comments made on social media in relation to the verdict of the Belfast rape trial have been referred to Northern Ireland’s attorney general.
The juror said “I’m sitting here in the kitchen waiting for the cops to arrive, two PSNI constables to arrive and I’m going to be hand-cuffed away and all I’ve done is just, I made a posting about, this is why there was a return of not guilty”.
Throughout the course of the case many experts warned of the danger social media commentary posed to the trial.
The article also states what appeared to be an attempt by the court system to silence support for the complainant.
An order had been issued on Tuesday which the judge has since lifted that forbade reporting on “any public gathering, demonstration, public event, rally or march which may be held in connection with this trial.”
As well as this the Judge Patricia Smyth refused to hear applications by several media organisation to lift restrictions that the Irish Times said would allow them “to report on the legal argument which took place in absence of the jury.”
This reporting is normally allowed once a case is completed but the judge won’t hear the matter until April 25th, which gives public interest in the trial a significant amount of time to wane.
We reported from the #IBelieveHer march in Dublin yesterday where there was a huge turnout.
Another protest has been organised for Saturday, starting at 2pm at Central Bank on Dame Street.
If you have been upset by the issues brought up in this article please call the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 777 8888.
Texting DRCC to 50300 will donate €2 to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
