A woman claims to have witnessed a threesome involving Ireland rugby stars Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding and a woman who then alleged rape.
The international duo are standing trial over the accusation following events in June 2016 at Jackson’s home in South Belfast, report the Irish Mirror.
Dara Florence took the witness stand after the alleged victim had given eight days of evidence to the court and revealed what she saw, adding: “I saw no signs of distress.”
Hours earlier her friend, Emily Docherty, told the court Jackson had denied to her that a threesome had taken place.
(Image: Photopress Belfast)
Miss Florence said she came across the scene while looking for friend Emily at a house party in the home of Jackson in 2016.
She described the scene after opening the door to Jackson’s bedroom and told the court how when Paddy Jackson saw her, he invited her to “join in”.
Miss Florence said: “There was a bed straight in front of me. Paddy Jackson was on his knees with (the complainant)’s bum up against him having sex and her head was down towards Stuart’s middle but I don’t know.
“Jackson was on his knees at the the foot of the bed, she had her bum up and Jackson was penetrating her with his penis.”
Toby Hedworth QC for the prosecution said: “Was this something of a static situation?” She said: “There was moving. He was thrusting into her.”
(Image: PA)
Asked where the complainant’s head was in relation to Olding, she said: “ Towards his middle, down towards his penis, towards that area.”
She added: “Olding was propped up by pillows and his legs spread out and she was in the middle of them.
“I remember seeing the movement of her face and more of her hair. She turned and faced away from me.
“Paddy said, ‘Do you want to join in?’.” Mr Hedworth QC asked: “ Who was that addressed to?” She responded: “Me.”
He asked: “Did you reply?” Miss Florence told the court: “Yeah – I said ‘no’.”
(Image: REUTERS)
The men charged in connection with an incident alleged to have happened at an after-party in the house following an evening at a Belfast nightclub on June 28, 2016, are Paddy Jackson, 26, from Oakleigh Park in Belfast, and Stuart Olding, from Ardenlee Street in the city.
Each is charged with rape. Jackson is further charged with sexual assault.
Blane McIlroy, 26, from Royal Lodge Road, Ballydollaghan, Belfast, a former Ulster player, who has represented Ireland at under-20 level, has pleaded not guilty to one count of exposure.
And Rory Harrison, 25, from Manse Road, Belfast, a former UCD and Belfast Harlequins player, denies perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
They each deny all charges.