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Rape trial judge instructs jury relating to Rory Best's attendance
By Ian Cameron
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.
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.
“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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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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