Northern Ireland Justice Department to review handling of sexual offences

Northern Ireland’s Justice Department is expected to launch a review of how serious sexual offences are addressed.

Ireland and Ulster rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were cleared of rape following a nine-week trial that ended last month.

Victims groups have sought a review of the criminal justice system.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said: “The Department is currently considering a number of issues relating to how the criminal justice system handles alleged sexual offences and will be making an announcement in due course.”

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