Former Ireland U20 rugby player Denis Coulson has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman in Bordeaux, France, in 2017. The verdict was delivered on Friday by the Cour d’Assises in Bordeaux.
Coulson, who was born in Dublin and previously played for Connacht and Stade Français, was one of two Irish rugby players sentenced in connection to the case.
Chris Farrell, a member of Ireland’s 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam-winning squad, was given a four-year sentence with two years suspended for failing to prevent a crime. Farrell will not serve prison time but will wear an electronic tag for two years and is required to remain in France during this period.
Others Sentenced in the Case
The case involved five rugby players who were once teammates at FC Grenoble. The other three defendants are:
Loick Jammes (30, France): Found guilty of rape and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Rory Grice (34, New Zealand): Found guilty of rape and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Dylan Hayes (30, New Zealand): Received a two-year suspended sentence for failing to prevent a crime.
Background
All five defendants had denied the charges throughout the trial. The court proceedings have garnered significant attention, given the players’ former status in professional rugby. The sentences mark the culmination of a lengthy legal battle stemming from the 2017 incident.
Coulson and Jammes received the heaviest penalties, while Farrell and Hayes faced lesser consequences for their failure to act. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and the legal responsibilities of individuals in such situations.
