Rugby player Paddy Jackson, who was acquitted in the 2018 Belfast rape trial, has voiced apprehension regarding an upcoming TV drama based on the case. The drama, scheduled to air next year, will revisit the trial that garnered widespread attention and sparked mass protests after Jackson and his friend Stuart Olding were found not guilty of raping a woman in 2016.
The six-part series, entitled #IBelieveHer, boasts a budget of €9 million and is reportedly in the production phase. It is being helmed by directors Mary McGuckian and Kirsten Sheridan and is grounded in trial transcripts and public domain reports.
Following the not guilty verdict, the hashtag #IBelieveHer gained traction on social media and led to demonstrations across Ireland and Northern Ireland where protestors brandished placards bearing the same hashtag. The trial was highly contentious, and the prosecution’s assertions branding the complainant as a liar and alleging that she fabricated the rape allegations due to embarrassment were met with shock and indignation.
Paddy Jackson, accompanied by his legal team, has articulated concerns about the lack of advance information provided about the TV show and its portrayal. His solicitor, Joe McVeigh, decried the police investigation as ‘biased’ and mentioned that the rugby star has ‘paid a heavy price’ for the trial.
In response to the concerns raised by Jackson’s legal team, Kevin Winters of KRW Law articulated that any drama based on a high-profile trial should be developed collaboratively with all involved parties. He underscored the significance of consulting with witnesses and the complainant to ensure that the content of the series aligns with the innocence of the accused.
During the trial, WhatsApp messages sent by Olding and Jackson were disclosed, revealing disturbing remarks and conversations. The release of these messages to the public elicited widespread shock and outcry.
Following the conclusion of the trial, Jackson expressed gratitude towards the judge and the jury for a fair trial. His friend, Stuart Olding, publicly acknowledged that although he committed no criminal offence, he deeply regretted the events of that evening and tendered an apology for the hurt caused to the complainant.
The entire case, which polarised public opinion and sparked impassioned debates about consent and rape culture, is poised to be revisited in the forthcoming TV drama. It is evident that the controversy surrounding the trial continues to have a substantial impact on all parties involved.
As the production of #IBelieveHer progresses, it remains to be seen whether the concerns raised by Paddy Jackson and his legal team will be acknowledged. The drama is anticipated to reignite public interest in a case that has left an indelible impression on the nation.