Former Ireland and Ulster rugby captain Rory Best will pay “substantial” unknown damages to a team of defense lawyers over an interview he conducted over a former teammate’s rape trial, the high court heard.
and also issued an apology to the legal representatives of Paddy Jackson as part of a settlement reached in their defamation action against him.
In 2018, Mr Best, 39, attended the high-profile trial in Belfast where Mr Jackson was finally acquitted of rape.
Another former Ulster player, Stuart Olding, has also been acquitted of raping the same woman.
Two years later, Mr Best, who earned 124 caps for Ireland, referred to his attendance at the trial during an appearance on an Irish sports radio program.
Defamation proceedings brought by the legal team that successfully acted for Mr Jackson centered on remarks made in that interview.
Attorneys Kevin Winters and Joe McVeigh, of Belfast firm KRW Law, and attorneys Brendan Kelly QC and Stephen Toal, all sued for defamation.
In court today, a statement was read out on behalf of Mr Best to confirm the terms of the settlement.
His senior adviser, Gerald Simpson QC, commissioned by Fergal McGoldrick of Carson McDowell, said: “On January 22, 2020, I gave an interview to Newstalk’s Off the Ball.
“In the course of that interview, I referred to the legal team that acts for the former Ulster Rugby player and colleague, Paddy Jackson.
“I want to make it clear that I did not intend to deny the integrity of these lawyers, who treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism at all times.”
The statement continued: “Insofar as any of my remarks did not make absolutely clear, I did not, and did not intend, to criticize Mr Jackson’s legal team and did not mislead me in any way.
“I unconditionally apologize to Paddy Jackson’s legal team and have agreed to pay the plaintiffs substantial damages, and to pay the plaintiffs’ legal costs.”
Outside court, Rory Lynch of Gately Tweed, representing the plaintiffs, said: “Our clients are very pleased with this comprehensive and categorical, albeit late, justification of their reputations.”