A jury in France have begun deliberations in the trial of Irish rugby player Denis Coulson who is accused of raping a student in a hotel in 2017.
The former Grenoble player is one of three men accused of rape along with New Zealander Rory Grice and Frenchman Loick Jammes.
Ex-Irish international player Chris Farrell, from Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, and New Zealander Dylan Hayes are charged with failure to prevent a crime.
Chris Farrell, who is charged with failing to prevent a crime, arrives for trial at the Bordeaux courthouse. (Getty Images)
The trial in Bordeaux was delayed earlier this year after Coulson, a former U20 international prop, was badly injured in a car crash.
AFP reported that his lawyer, Corinne Dreyfus-Schmidt said Coulson, originally from Dublin, was “still weak” but would be at the trial in Bordeaux this week.
The proceedings are being held behind closed doors at the request of the alleged victim
In March 12, 2017, the student alleged she was in tears as she left a hotel on the outskirts of Bordeaux, where the Grenoble team spent the night after losing a league match against Bordeaux-Begles.
According to an account given to prosecutors, and previously reported in the French newspaper Le Monde, she woke up the next morning naked in a hotel room surrounded by rugby players.
Later that day, she filed a complaint with police, alleging she had been the subject of a gang rape. It is claimed a crutch was used during the alleged assault.
AFP reported her lawyer has rejected arguments the woman was a willing participant and said the players had acted “like thugs”.
In court last week, one of her lawyers, Gaessy Gros, said it was plain to see she was not in a state to give her consent.
On the basis of statements from the accused and witnesses, as well as a video shot by Coulson, investigators allege there were several instances of sexual abuse in various forms.
A toxicology report stated her blood alcohol level was between 2.2 and 3 grams, a level considered in the danger zone for alcohol poisoning.
Another of the woman’s lawyers said it was her client’s decision to drink as much as she did but this didn’t allow anyone to do what they like with her body.
The players, she said, had a duty to protect the woman.