Rugby star is suspended over rape allegation
ULSTER and Ireland rugby star Paddy Jackson is to be prosecuted for rape, and was yesterday ‘relieved of his duties’ by his employers, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby, until the conclusion of the legal process.
His fellow Ulster and Ireland team-mate, Stuart Olding (below) is also to be prosecuted.
Both players strenuously deny the offence, which was alleged to have happened in Belfast in June of last year.
The IRFU and Ulster Rugby said they took the allegations ‘extremely seriously’ and announced both players would be ‘relieved of their duties and obligations’ until the conclusion of the court process. Given the length of time court proceedings take in Northern Ireland, it is likely both will miss the entirety of the coming season. The men were arrested and questioned last summer. They were released pending a report being submitted to prosecutors in Northern Ireland. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has said four men questioned in relation to the incident are to be prosecuted. Jackson (25) and Olding (24) are
to be prosecuted for rape. Olding faces an additional count of sexual assault. Another man is accused of sexual offences while the other faces counts of withholding information and perverting the course of justice. Summons were served on the men on Monday. They will appear in court to face the charges next month. The IRFU and Ulster Rugby said they were aware that Jackson and Olding had been charged ‘in relation to serious allegations made against them’. ‘The players have co-operated fully and strenuously deny the charges,’ said the statement. ‘The IRFU and Ulster Rugby take these allegations extremely seriously. ‘To allow the players time to address this matter fully, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby have agreed that they will be relieved of their duties and obligations until the conclusion of this process. ‘Appropriate support structures will be put in place with them during this time. ‘As this is a matter for the Public Prosecution Service it would be inappropriate to comment further.” Jackson has been capped for Ireland 25 times and appeared for Ireland on their tour of Japan this summer. He made his debut for Ireland in February, 2013 against Scotland in the Six Nations. Ulster centre Olding has played four times for Ireland. Lawyers for Jackson and Olding stressed that the men denied the charges. The PPS confirmed a decision has been taken to prosecute four men for offences relating to an allegation of rape on June 28, 2016 in south Belfast. A PPS spokesman said following a ‘careful review of all of the available evidence’ and in accordance with its code for prosecutors it had been decided there was ‘sufficient evidence to prosecute four individuals’.