The woman who claimed she was raped by two Irish rugby players after a night out has said she is 'upset and disappointed' at the verdict.

Paddy Jackson, 26, and Stuart Olding, 25, were accused of sexually assaulting the woman when they went back to Jackson's home in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

But they were both cleared by a jury who deliberated for almost four hours at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday.

Speaking after the case, Detective chief inspector Zoe McKee said: 'We do not want the decision in today's verdict to deter victims from coming forward. And I think it's very, very important. There are no winners here. This case was unprecedented.

'It was a case that has never been heard before - the complexity, the volume, the scale - and I think we cannot com-pare like for like in terms of cases, so I would encourage everybody who wants to make a report to police to come for-ward in the knowledge that you will be treated sensitively and with respect and your allegation in the court will be taken very seriously.'

PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman said the force had seen a rise in the number of reported rapes during the trial, compared to the same period in January and February last year.

She dismissed claims by Jackson's lawyers that the prosecution had been driven by the fact he is a famous sports star.

Ms Hilman said: 'We carry out all investigations regardless of background or status.'

PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman (left) and Detective Chief Inspector Zoe McGee hold a press conference at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast in response to the acquittal of Irish Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding

The jury had heard during the nine-week trial that the defendants were in a WhatsApp message group which said sex with a woman was 'like a merry-go-round at a carnival'.

Stuart Olding has apologised for the hurt caused to the woman who had accused him of rape.

In a statement, read by his solicitor outside Belfast Crown Court after his acquittal, the Ireland and Ulster rugby star also expressed regret and told of his relief that he had been believed.

Speaking on his behalf, solicitor Paul Dougan said: 'I am very relieved that the jury has accepted my explanation as to what occurred.

'I want to acknowledge publicly that though I committed no criminal offence on the evening of the 28th of June 2016, I regret deeply the events of that evening.

Paddy Jackson, 26, (left) and Stuart Olding, 25, (right) were accused of raping the woman at a party back at Jackson's home

'I want to acknowledge that the complainant came to court and gave evidence about her perception of those events.

'I am sorry for the hurt that was caused to the complainant.

'It was never my intention to cause any upset to anyone on that night.

'I don't agree with her perception of events, and I maintain that everything that happened that evening was consensual.'

Olding, who had always denied the charge, said he had 'consistently told the truth' to police and when he gave evidence on his own behalf during the nine week trial.

His statement added: 'The Stuart Olding who has been portrayed over the past nine weeks in this trial is not the real Stuart Olding.

'I am fiercely proud to represent my province and my country. I have worked very hard to achieve those goals.

'I hope to be able to prove myself going forward in all aspects of my life.

'I would like to thank my legal team for their hard work and their belief in me throughout.

'And finally to my family, thank you all for standing by me from the beginning.'

Jackson, who played 25 times for Ireland, was photographed leaving Belfast Crown Court after being cleared of rape

Jackson (pictured) spoke outside court after he was cleared of raping a woman with a fellow international

Speaking outside court, Jackson - who was also cleared of a separate charge of sexual assault - said: 'I'd just like to thank the judge and the jury for giving me a fair trial, my parents for being here every day, as well as my brother and sisters.

'Out of respect for my employers I've nothing further to comment.'

Ulster flyhalf Jackson's lawyer Joe McVeigh today added that his client's main priority is now to 'return to work' and represent his country on the rugby pitch.

His friend Rory Harrison, 25, was also on trial accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information in regards to the alleged incident.

Another friend Blane McIlroy, 26, was accused of one count of exposure but the four defendants were cleared of all charges relating to the alleged incident in June 2016.

Neither Jackson or Olding, who have represented their country a combined 29 times, have played at club or national level since they were charged in July last year.

The court had previously heard how the rugby players were accused of boasting with their friends about a 'spit roasting' on a WhatsApp group.

The jury was told that Olding allegedly wrote 'we are all top sh****rs, before adding: 'It was like a merry-go-around at a carnival.'

He also wrote: 'There was a bit of spit roasting going on last night fellas,' the court heard.

It is also alleged that Jackson replied on the same WhatsApp messaging service: 'There was a lot of spit.'

Messages in their group included jokes about 'pumping birds' and a photograph was shared with the caption 'Love Belfast s****.'

In one message, McIlroy posted a picture of himself and three girls who had been at the after party where the rape was alleged to have happened.

In another message also read out, McIlroy boasted: 'Pumped a bird with Jacko on Monday, roasted her, then another on Tuesday night.'

In one exchange on June 30, 2016, Harrison expressed hope the case against his friends could be dismissed.

He said: 'Hopefully it's just thrown out. Just a silly girl who's done something then regretted it.

'Yeah, surely it will be. I know but she's causing so much trouble for the lads.

Ireland and Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson leaving Belfast Crown Court where he has been found not guilty of raping a woman

Ireland and Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson (centre) arrived with family members at Belfast Crown Court before he was cleared

Paddy Jackson's lawyer today said that his client's main priority is to 'return to work' and 'represent his country'

'Yeah mate, if that got out like. The other thing is the cops went straight to Les Kiss (the then Ulster Rugby coach) which is f****** ridiculous.'

McIlroy responded: 'Yeah, surely the cops can't disclose that to Les Kiss.'

Harrison said: 'There could be a law suit in that if it just dismissed. Although you are drawing attention to it, I suppose.'

Meanwhile, in separate messages also read to the court the woman was asked by a friend whether she told her alleged attackers to stop.

She wrote: 'Of course I did but they were too strong.'

The high-profile trial was originally scheduled for five weeks but lasted for nine.

In total, 30 witnesses gave evidence including the four defendants and the complainant whose testimony was heard over eight separate days, and verdicts were returned on day 42.

The court heard from 10 police officers, two doctors, a forensic scientist and a taxi driver who had driven the complainant home on the night in question.

When the trial opened on January 30, a total of 12 jurors were sworn in - nine men and three women.

Rory Harrison, 25, (left, pictured today) and Blane McIlory (right, pictured today) were also cleared

Jackson's solicitor says his priority is to 'return to work' and 'get back on the rugby pitch' Joe McVeigh, who represented Jackson, said: 'We've this to say on behalf of our client Patrick Jackson. We're grateful to the jury for reaching what was a common sense verdict of not guilty on all counts. 'Paddy has been consistent in his denials and in his account. Consistency had never been a feature of the complainant's evidence, long before she entered the witness box. 'So these acquittals should come as no surprise to anyone. 'Paddy leaves court for the last time today as he entered almost 10 weeks ago - an innocent man. 'The prosecution made much of the perceived privileged position provided by virtue of Paddy being an international rugby player. 'We say that it was this very status as a famous sportsman that drove the decision to prosecute in the first place. 'Much has been said in the course of this trial by way of criticism of the police investigation. 'We've little to add to what's already been said, but it's our belief that the investigation has been characterised by the turning of a blind eye to inadequacies in the evidence of the complainant combined with very apparent investigative bias. Jackson (pictured on the left) was standing behind his lawyer who said he will now return to play rugby 'Paddy and his parents have paid a heavy price - personally, professionally and financially. 'This price was paid despite the fact that he has never been anything other than entirely innocent. 'On the face of it, this robust assertion of its independence by the jury embodied in these acquittals, for all four men, may suggest that the trial process is in good health. 'That is not the case. Vile commentary expressed on social media going well beyond fair comment has polluted the sphere of public discourse and raised real concerns about the integrity of the trial process. 'To that end we want to thank the learned trial Judge Patricia Smyth for her management of this trial in the face of an onslaught of toxic contempt, particularly on Twitter. 'Several days of this trial were lost due to problems thrown up by the intrusive infection of the process by social media. 'All the lawyers have been distracted by having to man the barriers against the flood of misinformed, misconceived and malicious content on the internet, particularly during the last phase of this trial, and worryingly even at the hands of public servants who should have known better. 'There's no reason to believe that this problem will not worsen. To that end we invite the office of the Lord Chief Justice, the Attorney General, and the Public Prosecution Service, to enter into fresh discussions with us to look at more robust mechanisms that can strike an effective balance between everyone's rights, but that properly secure the integrity of our criminal justice system. 'As for Paddy, his main priority now is to return to work, that means getting back on the rugby pitch, and representing his province and his country.' Advertisement

But about halfway through the panel was reduced to 11 after one juror was discharged because of illness.

There were emotional scenes outside the courtroom as family and friends of the accused hugged and kissed each other.

Jackson, McIlroy and Harrison were permitted to leave the dock first.

Judge Patricia Smyth said: 'The jury has found you not guilty. You are free to leave the dock.'

A short time later the court was told that no evidence had been offered by prosecutors on a charge of vaginal rape against Stuart Olding.

Judge Smyth directed the jury to find him not guilty.

Allowing Olding to go free, the judge said: 'Mr Olding the jury has found you not guilty of this count also and you are now free to leave the dock.'

Jackson (pictured playing for Ireland) has not played at club or national level since he was charged in July last year

Jackson and the woman had been in Ollie's nightclub in Belfast (pictured) on the night of the alleged incident

Blaine McIlroy (left) and Rory Harrison (right) were also cleared of charges which related to the same incident

Thanking the jurors, Ms Smyth said they would be exempt from jury service for life.

'This has probably been the most difficult trial that any jury in Northern Ireland has ever been asked to adjudicate on.'

In a statement, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby said: 'The IRFU and Ulster Rugby note the verdict handed down today at the Belfast Crown Court in relation to the case brought against Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

'We wish to acknowledge that this has undoubtedly been a difficult and extremely traumatic time for all involved.

'To respect the judicial proceedings, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby postponed any internal review of the matter with the players, until the proceedings concluded.

'IRFU and Ulster Rugby officials will review the matter, in line with existing procedures for all contracted players.

'A Review Committee, made up of senior representatives of the IRFU and Ulster Rugby, has been appointed and will conclude its review as soon as practicable.

'The players will continue to be relieved of all duties while the Review Committee is in process and determining its findings.'