French court postpones trial over gang rape of two Irish rugby players

A French court has postponed the trial of rugby players accused of raping a student in 2017 after one of the main defendants was unable to appear in court following an accident.

The trial in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the scene of the alleged rape by then-members of the Grenoble team after a rugby match, was due to begin on Monday after a seven-year wait.

However, the court ordered that the trial should instead take place from December 2 to 13 after one of the main defendants, 30-year-old Irishman Denis Coulson, was unable to attend following a car accident last Wednesday.

“He had a very serious accident and is in hospital. We are not sure how the situation will develop,” said his lawyer Corinne Dreyfus-Schmidt.

One of the lawyers for the plaintiff, a woman who identifies only as V and is now 27, said the postponement was disappointing but necessary.

Former Grenoble players Coulson, New Zealander Rory Grice (34) and 29-year-old Frenchman Loick Jammes are accused of rape. They face up to 20 years in prison.

Two former teammates, 31-year-old Irishman Chris Farrell – a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning team at the 2018 Six Nations – and 30-year-old New Zealander Dylan Hayes are on trial for failing to prevent crime.

– © AFP 2024