News Criminal Defence 28th Mar 2018

Brendan Kelly QC Successfully Represents International Rugby Player Paddy Jackson

Ireland and Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson has been cleared of rape. Brendan Kelly QC represented Paddy Jackson who, alongside fellow rugby player Stuart Olding, denied raping a woman in Jackson’s house in the early hours of 28 June 2016.

Blane McIlroy, who was accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison, who was charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information, were also found not guilty.

The verdicts came in the ninth week of the trial.

Jackson released a statement following his acquittal to state that his aim is to get back on the rugby pitch to try and represent Ulster and Ireland.

Brendan was instructed by Joe McVeigh and Kevin Winters of Kevin Winters Solicitors. McVeigh released the following statement following the verdict:

“Paddy leaves court for the last time today, as he entered it almost ten weeks ago, an innocent man. The prosecution made much of a perceived privileged position provided by virtue of Paddy being an international rugby player, we saw that it was this very status as a famous sportsman that drove the decision to prosecute in the first place.”

The case was covered widely in the press, to read more please follow the below links:

BBC | The Guardian | The Independent | Sky


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