We have to move on, say rape trial duo’s team-mates
THE former team-mates of sacked Ulster Rugby stars Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have said they are saddened by their exit.
Reading a statement at a media event from which news reporters were barred, Ulster and Ireland hooker Rob Herring said the remaining players knew Jackson and Olding, who were acquitted of rape, would go on to be successful on and off the pitch.
Audio of Herring’s brief statement to sports reporters at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast was later released more widely.
‘It is with a great deal of sadness that the players and pro staff have learnt of this outcome,’ he said. ‘We know that the two boys will be successful both on and off the pitch wherever they go.
‘As a group, we have to move on and our full focus is now on Glasgow this weekend.’
Herring made the statement ahead of the Pro14 match with Glasgow this weekend.
It is understood news reporters were excluded because too many questions about Jackson and Olding’s high-profile trial last month were asked at a previous pre-match press conference.
A spokesman for Ulster Rugby said: ‘The attendance of nonsport journalists at recent match week media events has caused significant disruption to regular attendees, who have been negatively impacted to the extent that they have been unable to access sufficient information and content for the days leading up to that week’s game.
‘Therefore, following consultation with regular press conference attendees, it was decided that access to this week’s event would be restricted to sport journalists only.’
Jackson and Olding were sacked at the weekend following an internal review into their conduct by Ulster Rugby and the Irish Rugby Football Union.
While Jackson, 26, and Olding, 25, were found not guilty, aspects of their behaviour revealed at the trial had been heavily criticised, with major sponsors of Ulster Rugby having voiced concern.
The IRFU and Ulster Rugby review had focused on a series of WhatsApp conversations involving the players and their friends about the sexual encounter at the centre of the rape trial.
On Monday, Ulster Rugby’s chief executive Shane Logan insisted money or sponsors’ wishes did not drive the decision to sack the pair.
He said both men had made a ‘serious mistake’ and had fallen ‘way short’ of the standards expected of professional players.
Jackson and Olding had been accused of raping a woman at a party at Jackson’s home in June 2016. A jury of eight men and three women unanimously found the players not guilty of rape. The jury also acquitted Jackson of sexual assault.
Two other men, Blane McIlroy, 26, and Rory Harrison, 25, were unanimously acquitted of charges connected to the case.
‘Successful on and off the pitch’