QRadio News
Ireland and Ulster rugby star Paddy Jackson has attended court in Belfast for a preliminary hearing ahead of his rape trial.
Jackson, 25, and club and international team mate Stuart Olding, 24, are accused of raping the same woman at a property in south Belfast in June last year.
They have strenuously denied the charges. Their high-profile trial is scheduled to start in January.
During the short pre-trial hearing in Belfast Crown Court, prosecution and defence lawyers discussed a number of outstanding legal issues.
Judge Patricia Smyth scheduled another hearing next Friday to further consider the legal matters prior to the scheduled start of the trial on January 22.
Jackson sat at the back of the court during the proceedings.
He is accused of one count of rape and one of sexual assault.
Olding is charged with two counts of rape.
Two other men have also been returned for trial on charges connected with the 2016 incident.
They're accused of one count of exposure and perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
All four have pleaded not guilty and they are all on bail.
Fly-half Jackson has been capped for Ireland 25 times and centre Olding has played four times. They are established stars for Ulster Rugby.
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have said they will not play again until court proceedings conclude.
Man injured after house and three vehicles set alight in Co Antrim
IT system for Northern Ireland schools ‘largely restored’ following cyber attack
£100 home heating oil grant to be paid out by ‘summer at earliest’
Arrest made after hot water thrown over man at Co Tyrone court
Stormont urged to address ‘catastrophe’ in hospital emergency departments