Ireland duo Jackson, Olding to appear in court after rape charges

Ireland internationals Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are set to appear in court later today after they face rape charges.

Both Jackson and Olding along with two other men were held to custody and questioned last summer as well but later released pending a report being submitted to prosecutors in Northern Ireland. However, Public Prosecution Service (PPS) sent summons to all four men to appear in front of court on Wednesday.

Olding, of Ardenlee Street, Belfast, is charged with two counts of rape. Jackson, of Oakleigh Park in the city, is charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Apart from the duo, the third person is also accused with sexual offence while other person faces charges of withholding the information and perverting the course of justice.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has released a statement that both Jackson and Olding are relieved from the contracts until the conclusion of the court process which means they are unlikely to feature for either Ulster or Ireland any more in the coming season.

Jackson played 25 Tests for Ireland between 2013 and 2017 while Olding has featured in just four games with his last appearance coming in June 2016.