A rugby player from Co Tyrone has been given a four-year prison sentence for failing to prevent the rape of a 20-year-old woman in France in 2017.
Chris Farrell, from Fivemiletown, is a former Ulster and Munster player who currently plays for French side Oyonnax.
The 31-year-old was given a four-year sentence, with two years suspended, but will not have to spend time in prison.
According to local media, Farrell will have to wear an electronic tag and remain in France for two years.
Farrell was on trial with fellow Irish player Denis Coulson, who was found guilty alongside two others, for raping a 20-year-old woman after a match in 2017.
Farrell and Coulson, together with the three others involved in the case, were all teammates for French side Grenoble at the time.
Coulson, from Dublin, was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Loick Jammes (30), from France, and Rory Grice (34), from New Zealand, were also found guilty of rape and sentenced to 14 years and 12 years in prison, respectively.
Dylan Hayes from New Zealand was also given a two-year suspended sentence for failure to prevent a crime.
All five had denied the charges – the three accused of rape argued that any sexual activity had been consensual.
The trial, which took place behind closed doors at the request of the victim, related to an incident which took place in a hotel room in Mérignac on the outskirts of Bordeaux in 2017.
The jury deliberated for nine hours during the case at Bordeaux’s Cour d’Assises (Criminal Trial Court).
Lawyers for the defence intend to appeal the verdict.
