Northern Ireland

Blane McIlroy, acquitted in rugby trial, graduates from US university

 Blane McIlroy has graduated from Life University, a private institution in the US. Picture by Hugh Russell
 Blane McIlroy has graduated from Life University, a private institution in the US. Picture by Hugh Russell  Blane McIlroy has graduated from Life University, a private institution in the US. Picture by Hugh Russell

A BELFAST man cleared of exposure in a high-profile rape trial involving two former Ulster Rugby stars has graduated from university in the US.

Blane McIlroy, who in March was acquitted of exposure following a nine-week trial, posted online a picture of his graduation certificate.

It says he has graduated 'magna cum laude', or with great honour, as a Bachelor of Business Administration from Life University, a private institution in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Georgia.

Under the picture on his Instagram profile, Mr McIlroy said he "did it the hard way but got there in the end".

During the trial, Mr McIlroy's lawyer said his client had been one semester short of completing his degree when he was arrested in 2016.

The trial saw Ireland and Ulster rugby players Stuart Olding and Paddy Jackson unanimously acquitted of raping a woman in June 2016 at a house party after a night out in Belfast.

(l-r) Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison. Pictures by Hugh Russell 
(l-r) Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison. Pictures by Hugh Russell  (l-r) Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison. Pictures by Hugh Russell 

Mr McIlroy had been accused of walking into the bedroom naked during the alleged attack, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.

A co-accused, Rory Harrison, was also cleared of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

Mr Jackson and Mr Olding have since signed with French clubs after being sacked by Ulster Rugby and told they would not play for Ireland in future, amid concerns from Ulster Rugby's corporate sponsors about reputational damage.

The case sparked an independent review into how serious sexual offence claims are dealt with in Northern Ireland's criminal justice system.