Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have failed in their attempt to claim back their legal costs from the Belfast rape trial.
The former Ireland and Ulster rugby players spent nine weeks on trial before they were cleared of raping a woman at a party in Jackson’s home in 2016.
Last May, Paddy Jackson applied for what was described his “substantial legal bill” to be picked up by the State.
Stuart Olding made a similar application – although he ran out of money midway through the trial and received legal aid for the remainder.
The IRFU and Ulster had revoked their contracts the month before and they were out of work at the time.
Both are now playing with clubs in France.
Their lawyers claimed the prosecution should never have been brought and argued it had caused serious financial hardship and damaged potential future earnings.
In ruling against them today, Judge Patricia Smyth said the prosecution was justified and warranted.
She said there was also no evidence before her to suggest that the termination of their contracts was a direct result of the prosecution.
Mr. Jackson’s bill is estimated to be around half a million euro, while Mr. Olding’s thought to have spent around €160k before he secured legal aid.
