Cleared ex-Ireland and Ulster rugby player looks to retrieve legal costs after rape trial

Stuart Olding had to 'exhaust his own personal finances to access legal aid' and suffered 'huge financial detriment' to mount his defence, court hears

Former Ulster and Ireland rugby player Stuart Olding was found not guilty of rape (Getty)

A former Ireland rugby international who was cleared of rape has attempted to retrieve his legal costs.

Stuart Olding, 25, was found unanimously not guilty in March of raping a woman at a house party in June 2016, along with his is former team-mate Paddy Jackson, 26.

The former Ireland and Ulster rugby player is making a case for the retrieval of his legal costs on the basis that the prosecution's case had been "flawed".

Mr Olding was granted legal aid halfway through the 10-week trial.

His counsel Frank O'Donoghue QC, said his client had to "exhaust his own personal finances to access legal aid" and suffered "huge financial detriment".

He referred to the "enormity" of the decision to prosecute Mr Olding, someone who had a public profile, and described the effect it had had on his life.

"His reputation was destroyed to the point where he could not follow his profession in this country again," Mr O'Donoghue told the court.

The IRFU and Ulster ended the contracts of Mr Olding and Mr Jackson in April.

Mr Olding is currently playing for Brive in the second tier of French rugby.

Mr O'Donoghue said his client has had to leave his family and friends and start again in another country.

"He had to go and seek his work elsewhere ... this has had a huge impact upon him," he said.

He went on to describe the trial as having been "unprecedented" not only in Northern Ireland, but also in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

He told the court: "It (the trial) has thrown up issues that justified a full-blown review of how these trials are conducted."

He claimed the prosecution had a "flawed understanding of the facts", adding: "The police got it wrong, and with respect, the prosecution got it wrong. Mr Olding lost the chance that he is entitled to, to have his case properly considered."

Judge Smyth said: "This is a complex legal issue and that means whatever decision I reach has to be made with proper consideration."

Mr Olding did not attend the hearing, which was adjourned after two hours. It is set to resume on 26 October.

Mr Jackson has also applied for legal costs. His legal team made its case to Belfast Crown Court in May.

A ruling has not yet been made on that application.