Menu
09/04/2018
Petition Calls For Paddy Jackson And Stuart Olding To Be Reinstated
An online petition has been launched calling for Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding to be reinstated at Ulster Rugby.
Jackson and Olding were acquitted of rape last month following a nine-week trial. Both men remain suspended from playing rugby while both the IRFU and Ulster Rugby conduct their own reviews.
The Change.org petition states: "Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were found not guilty of rape and therefore should be reinstated to the Ulster Rugby squad as soon as possible as they have already been forced through a very public trial and been suspended from playing throughout this trial.
"This is punishment enough and Ulster Rugby should be showing support to their players who were found not guilty."
The petition, which is reaching 7,000 signatures of a stated goal of 7,500, continues: "If Ulster Rugby need to enforce to these players how behaviour in their private lives may affect their career as rugby players then this should be stated clearly to the players as a warning not to repeat such behaviour again as it will carry consequences for themselves and others such as what they have gone through.
"However, these players have not broken any sporting rules and therefore, need to be back playing in Ulster shirts as soon as possible. The same applies for Craig Gilroy. Those who have signed this petition want Ulster Rugby to do the right thing and support their players by getting them playing rugby for Ulster again."
People supporting the petition have given various reasons for doing so, including:
"These gentlemen have been proven to be innocent and are now being harangued by a very vocal minority of folk who have no respect for the rule of law."
"Im signing because they are not guilty and should be back playing for Ulster
SUFTUM"
(MH/LM)
Jackson and Olding were acquitted of rape last month following a nine-week trial. Both men remain suspended from playing rugby while both the IRFU and Ulster Rugby conduct their own reviews.
The Change.org petition states: "Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were found not guilty of rape and therefore should be reinstated to the Ulster Rugby squad as soon as possible as they have already been forced through a very public trial and been suspended from playing throughout this trial.
"This is punishment enough and Ulster Rugby should be showing support to their players who were found not guilty."
The petition, which is reaching 7,000 signatures of a stated goal of 7,500, continues: "If Ulster Rugby need to enforce to these players how behaviour in their private lives may affect their career as rugby players then this should be stated clearly to the players as a warning not to repeat such behaviour again as it will carry consequences for themselves and others such as what they have gone through.
"However, these players have not broken any sporting rules and therefore, need to be back playing in Ulster shirts as soon as possible. The same applies for Craig Gilroy. Those who have signed this petition want Ulster Rugby to do the right thing and support their players by getting them playing rugby for Ulster again."
People supporting the petition have given various reasons for doing so, including:
"These gentlemen have been proven to be innocent and are now being harangued by a very vocal minority of folk who have no respect for the rule of law."
"Im signing because they are not guilty and should be back playing for Ulster
SUFTUM"
(MH/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 December 2024
Alliance Calls For Action On Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis
The Alliance Party has called on the Health Minister to commission effective diagnosis and management services for Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes across Northern Ireland. Alliance MLA Connie Egan has presented a petition to the Assembly led by Ehlers Danlos Support UK.
Alliance Calls For Action On Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis
The Alliance Party has called on the Health Minister to commission effective diagnosis and management services for Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes across Northern Ireland. Alliance MLA Connie Egan has presented a petition to the Assembly led by Ehlers Danlos Support UK.
22 August 2023
Ulster Rugby Launches New Foundation
A new initiative to inspire lifelong participation in rugby across NI has been announced by Ulster Rugby. Set to have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of those involved in rugby in Ulster, the Ulster Rugby Foundation will drive forward a community game in the province which welcomes people of all ages and abilities.
Ulster Rugby Launches New Foundation
A new initiative to inspire lifelong participation in rugby across NI has been announced by Ulster Rugby. Set to have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of those involved in rugby in Ulster, the Ulster Rugby Foundation will drive forward a community game in the province which welcomes people of all ages and abilities.
19 April 2017
Three Ulster Rugby Players Named In British & Irish Lions Squad
Three Ulster Rugby players have been named in the British & Irish Lions squad. Rory Best, Iain Henderson and Jared Payne have been included in the squad who are to tour New Zealand this summer. The trio are among 11 Ireland players selected by Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland.
Three Ulster Rugby Players Named In British & Irish Lions Squad
Three Ulster Rugby players have been named in the British & Irish Lions squad. Rory Best, Iain Henderson and Jared Payne have been included in the squad who are to tour New Zealand this summer. The trio are among 11 Ireland players selected by Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland.
16 August 2013
'Nevin Spence Centre' Planned For Ravenhill
A new education and heritage centre being built at Ulster Rugby's Ravenhill stadium is to be named after the late Nevin Spence, who died in a farming accident along with his brother Graham and father Noel in September last year. The centre is part of a £14.7m redevelopment of the ground and will be called 'The Nevin Spence Centre'.
'Nevin Spence Centre' Planned For Ravenhill
A new education and heritage centre being built at Ulster Rugby's Ravenhill stadium is to be named after the late Nevin Spence, who died in a farming accident along with his brother Graham and father Noel in September last year. The centre is part of a £14.7m redevelopment of the ground and will be called 'The Nevin Spence Centre'.
16 April 2018
Paddy Jackson's And Stuart Olding's Contracts Revoked
The contracts of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been revoked with "immediate effect" by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Ulster Rugby. Last month, the two rugby players were unanimously acquitted of raping a woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016.
Paddy Jackson's And Stuart Olding's Contracts Revoked
The contracts of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been revoked with "immediate effect" by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Ulster Rugby. Last month, the two rugby players were unanimously acquitted of raping a woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
