The jury in the rape trial of two Ireland and Ulster rugby players has been told to keep an open mind.
Paddy Jackson, 26, and Stuart Olding, 24, are accused of raping a woman at a property in south Belfast in June 2016. The case will begin at the city’s crown court today and is expected to last for five weeks.
Addressing the jury of nine men and three women, Judge Patricia Smyth told them to not make up their minds until all the evidence in the case had been presented. “You are the only people who will see all the witnesses and hear all the evidence,” she said.
Both Mr Olding, of Ardenlee Street, Belfast, and Mr Jackson, from Oakleigh Park, also in the city, deny the charges. Mr Jackson denies a further charge of sexual assault.
Two other men have also been returned for trial on charges connected with the alleged incident. Blane McIlroy, 26, from Royal Lodge Road, Ballydollaghan, Belfast, is accused of one count of exposure. Rory Harrison, 25, from Manse Road, Belfast, is charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information. All four are on bail.
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Advising the jury to listen carefully to all counsel in the case, Judge Smyth said: “Keep your minds open until the very end. Your views may well change as evidence unfolds. Please do not discuss evidence until you have heard all of that.”
The judge also warned the jury not to conduct any research into individuals or anything to do with the high-profile trial. “It would be wrong and it would be in breach of your oath or affirmation if you do,” she said.
Mr Jackson, a fly-half, has been capped for Ireland 25 times and Mr Olding, a centre, has played four times. They are also established stars for Ulster Rugby.
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have said that the men will not play again until court proceedings conclude.
All four defendants, dressed in dark suits, white shirts and ties, sat beside each other in the dock . Craig Gilroy, an Ulster and Ireland team-mate, was in the public gallery for the hearing.