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Rape trial judge instructs jury relating to Rory Best's attendance
The judge presiding over the trial in which Ulster and Ireland rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding stand accused of rape has addressed the jury in relation to the attendance in court of Irish captain Rory Best.
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Best’s attendance at the trial was the source of some controversy in Ireland, with a campaign being waged online against the hooker for his appearance at Laganside Crown Court last week.
The Journal.ie report that during the trial this afternoon, Judge Patricia Smyth addressed the 12 person jury in relation to the media coverage of Best’s attendance.
“You may have been aware of press coverage or coverage of some nature about the appearance at this trial of Mr Rory Best, who I understand is the captain of the Ireland Rugby team.
“I want to make it absolutely clear to you, and I want to make it clear to the public, the only reason Mr Rory Best was in this court last week was because he was directed to be here by senior counsel.
“That’s the reason why he was here, and as a jury you should know that.”
Best broke his silence at the post-France press conference and explained exactly why he was at the trial.
“We sign out on Tuesday night, Wednesday is our day off, so technically we don’t need permission to do stuff on our own time.
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“The reason I was there, it’s on the record I’ve been called as a character witness. I was advised it was important to attend, so I got both sides of the story.
“Because it’s an ongoing legal matter, I will make no further comment than that.”
The online ‘outrage’ saw hundreds of social media posts claim they would not be watching Ireland’s match against France as a result of the attendance of the Irish captain at the trial.
The following tweets give a flavour of the #notmycaptain campaign.
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Passionate about rugby, but can not and will not ignore the fact that our captain refuses to address his questionable actions. He should be thoroughly ashamed. Irish rugby has handled this awful situation with very little compassion #NotMyCaptain
— Katie (@whatkhdid) February 2, 2018
“Shoulder to shoulder” unless youre 21, female and about to give testimony about the worst night of your life. #notmycaptain
— Ash (@Aisling_Pash) February 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoughanMac/status/959188506064117761
What about the women of Ireland @RoryBest2?Did you spare a thought for the girls who put on their jerseys again and again to throw their support behind you?while you throw your support behind alleged rapists who clearly have no respect for women! #notmycaptain
— Sarah Hegarty (@HeggersKeggers) February 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/modernbanshee/status/959866072307511298
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments