Chris Farrell: Fermanagh’s Irish rugby star accused of ‘failing to stop’ alleged rape has case dropped
In September 2022 Farrell stepped away from his involvement with Munster rugby after cases against him and four other players were referred to a French criminal court.
Former Ireland and Munster rugby star Chris Farrell has been cleared of any wrong-doing over rape charges brought against fellow Grenoble team members in France.
According to claims in French media, Farrell, who is from Fivemiletown and left Munster last year, had accusations that he failed to stop a crime dismissed.
Both the allegations against Farrell and the New Zealander Dylan Hayes—neither of whom was charged with rape—have been dropped.
The Bordeaux Assize Court will hear gang rape charges against Irishman Denis Coulson (29), New Zealander Rory Grice (33) and Frenchman Loick Jammes (29) from June 17 to 28, 2024.
Allegations relating to an incident in March 2017 are the basis for the case.
According to France Bleu, the general public prosecutor of the Court of Appeal informed the parties that the case had been referred to the Bordeaux Assize Court.
After a game against Bordeaux that Grenoble lost, it is reported that the players went to a bar and brought an inebriated woman back to their hotel.
She claimed she had been sexually assaulted the next day, but the men charged have consistently fought to have the case thrown out of court over the past seven years.
Three of the men will now stand trial in this case, which may take place behind closed doors at the claimed victim’s request.
As a result of cases being referred to a French criminal court against him and four other players in September 2022, Farrell ended his association with Munster rugby.
Chris Farrell, the team’s center, would not be associated with the group while the French legal procedure was ongoing, Munster announced in a statement at the time.
“Chris Farrell and Munster Rugby have reached an understanding that, from immediately, he will step back from his involvement with the Munster team while judicial processes over his suspected role as a witness to an alleged crime in 2017 are ongoing in France.
We have no more comment as this is an ongoing legal situation before the French courts, according to the statement.
The native of Tyrone has now joined French team Oyonnax, where he assisted them in this season’s promotion to the Top 14 league in France.
He started his career in his native Ulster province before relocating to Grenoble in 2014. Three years later, he joined Munster.
