There have been chaotic scenes in court as 2 men were convicted of attempting to rape a woman in the back of a van in Co. Cork.

A 3rd man has been cleared of taking part in the attack in September 2009.

The 3 on trial were aged 15, 16 and 19 at the time of the attempted rape.

They picked up a woman who was drunk and separated from her friends, drove her down a country lane and tried to have sex with her on a mattress in the back of their van.

Cleared of charges

The eldest of the 3 was described as saying "hurry on, give me a lash". 

He was cleared on a charge of oral rape.

The youngest of the 3 - now aged 19 - has been cleared of all charges including rape and  subsequently burst into tears.

There was uproar in court at the outcome with families of the accused shouting at each other and proclaiming the innocence of their relative.

Mr. Justice Paul Carney has jailed a mother and a younger woman for contempt until tomorrow morning.

He has also put sentencing back until January.