Irish Rugby Players Convicted in France for Gang Rape
In a shocking case that has rocked the rugby world, two Irish rugby players have been convicted in connection with the gang rape of a 20-year-old student in southwestern france. The assault took place in March 2017 at a hotel in Mérignac, on the outskirts of Bordeaux. Denis coulson, a former Ireland U20 international, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of rape. Chris Farrell, a member of Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam winning squad, received a four-year sentence, with two years suspended, for failing to prevent a crime. The two men were part of a group of five FC Grenoble teammates who were tried in connection with the assault. Two other players, French man loïck Jammes and New Zealander Rory Grice, were also convicted of gang rape and received sentences of 14 and 12 years, respectively.Dylan Hayes, a New Zealander who recently retired from professional rugby, was given a two-year suspended sentence for failing to prevent a crime. The trial was shrouded in secrecy at the request of the victim. The jury, comprised of three judges and six members of the public, deliberated for almost nine hours before delivering their verdicts. The court heard that the woman met the defendants while out socializing with friends in a Bordeaux bar.the group then went to a nightclub before returning to the hotel. CCTV footage showed the woman appearing to struggle to walk and being propped up by Coulson as they arrived at the hotel. A toxicology report revealed that the woman’s blood alcohol level was between 2.2 and 3 grammes, a level considered risky. her lawyers argued that she was too intoxicated to consent to sex, emphasizing that the players had a duty to “protect” her and should not have “exploited” her vulnerable state. During the trial, a 55-second video filmed by Coulson was presented as evidence. The defendants’ lawyers claimed it showed the woman willingly participating in the sexual encounter. The woman testified that she had no memory of the events after leaving the nightclub and woke up naked in a hotel bed with two naked men in the room. She said she fled the hotel in tears and filed a police complaint shortly after. Coulson’s trial was delayed after he was seriously injured in a car crash in Dublin just days before the original scheduled start date.## Archyde News
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today,we turn to a shocking story from the world of rugby. Two Irish rugby players, Denis Coulson and Chris Farrell, have been convicted in France for their role in a gang rape that took place back in 2017.
Let’s go straight to our correspondent in Bordeaux, Emily Jones, for the details. Emily?
**Correspondent:** Thanks, [Host name]. This case has sent shockwaves through the rugby community and beyond. Coulson, a former Ireland U20 international, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for rape. Farrell, a member of Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam winning squad, received a four-year sentence for failing to prevent a crime.
**host:** Can you tell us more about what happened?
**Correspondent:** The assault took place in Mérignac, near Bordeaux, after a night out. The victim, a 20-year-old student, met the players at a bar and later at a nightclub. CCTV footage showed her appearing intoxicated as she was escorted to a hotel by Coulson. A toxicology report later confirmed her blood alcohol level was dangerously high.
**Host:** I understand the trial was shrouded in secrecy?
**Correspondent:** Yes, at the victim’s request. A jury deliberated for almost nine hours before delivering their verdicts. During the trial, a video filmed by Coulson was presented as evidence by the defense, claiming to show consensual acts. However, the victim testified that she recalled nothing after leaving the nightclub, waking up naked in a hotel room with two men.
**Host:** What are the reactions to the verdict?
**Correspondent:** There’s been widespread condemnation of the actions of these players. Many are calling for stricter penalties for sexual assault and for organizations like the Rugby Football Union to do more to address a culture of impunity. The victim’s courage in coming forward has garnered immense support, with many praising her for seeking justice.
**Host:** Thank you,emily,for bringing us this significant story. It’s a somber reminder of the devastating impact of sexual violence and the need for continued vigilance and action.
We’ll continue to follow this case and bring you updates as they develop.
**[Outro Music]**
**Q:** Who were the Irish rugby players convicted in France?
**A:** The Irish rugby players convicted were Denis Coulson and Chris Farrell.
**Q:** What were they convicted of?
**A:** denis Coulson was convicted of rape and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Chris Farrell was convicted of failing to prevent a crime and received a four-year sentence, with two years suspended.
**Q:** Where did the assault take place?
**A:** The assault took place at a hotel in Mérignac, near Bordeaux, France.
**Q:** When did the assault happen?
**A:** The assault happened in March 2017.
**Q:** Were there other players involved?
**A:** Yes, two other players, Loïck Jammes (french) and Rory Grice (New Zealander), were also convicted of gang rape and received 14 and 12 year sentences respectively. Dylan Hayes (New Zealander) received a two-year suspended sentence for failing to prevent a crime.
**Q:** What was the victim’s blood alcohol level at the time of the assault?
**A:** The toxicology report revealed the victim’s blood alcohol level was between 2.2 and 3 grammes, which is considered risky.
**Q:** Was there video evidence presented during the trial?
**A:** Yes, a 55-second video filmed by Coulson was presented as evidence by the defense, claiming to show consensual acts. However, the victim testified that she remembered nothing after leaving the nightclub and woke up naked in a hotel room with two men.
