The jury in the Paddy Jackson/Stuart Olding rape trial have been informed by the judge that Rory Best was only in attendance last week upon the instruction of senior counsel.

Judge Patricia Smyth has told the jury that she thought they should know that 'the only reason' he was there was because he was being directed by senior counsel.

Ireland rugby captain Rory Best was only in court for the rape trial in Belfast last week because he was directed by barristers to be there, judge tells the jury — Francesca Comyn (@cescacomyn) February 5, 2018


As reported in the Belfast Telegraph, Judge Smyth also referenced the media attention around Best's attendance last week, telling the jury it was hard not to be aware of the coverage

Having originally made no comment on the situation, Best was quoted in the Irish Times on Saturday as saying 'The reason I was there, it’s on the record, I was called as a character witness, and I was advised that it is important that I got both sides of the story so I could make an informed decision about that.'