DUBLIN, Ireland – Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor assaulted a woman at a party in Dublin in 2018 and must pay her nearly 250,000 euros ($259,950) in damages, a jury decided on Friday, November 22.
The jury of eight women and four men reached its verdict in the civil trial at Ireland’s high court after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberation.
The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her on December 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, the court heard during two weeks of evidence.
The jury found that Lawrence did not assault Hand.
McGregor left the court through a large scrum of reporters without commenting and later posted on X that he planned to appeal the decision.
“The judge’s instruction and the modest award was given for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DDP reviewed,” he posted.
McGregor, 36, denied the allegation and said he had “fully consensual sex” with Hand. He also denied causing bruising to the plaintiff.
Hand’s lawyer told the jury that when she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the day after the alleged assault, a doctor was so concerned that he directed that photographs be taken of her injuries.
A paramedic treating the woman’s injuries the following morning testified that he had never seen such intense bruising on a victim, per BBC News.
Hand said she then let McGregor do what he wanted to because she feared for her life and that she would not see her daughter again.
“He let me go and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” the woman said in court.
She alleged that McGregor put her in a choke hold multiple times and later said, “Now you know how I felt in the Octagon where I tapped out three times,” in reference to a UFC bout in which he had to admit defeat.
McGregor has denied the accusations, saying that the two had consensual sex.
The UFC superstar said in court of the chokehold allegation, “It is a full-blown lie among many lies. How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.”
Hand said that she and a friend made contact with McGregor, who she knew, after a work Christmas party. She said they were driven by McGregor to a party in a penthouse room of a south Dublin hotel where drugs and alcohol were consumed.
She said McGregor took her to a bedroom in the penthouse and sexually assaulted her.
Speaking outside the court, Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received and that she felt vindicated.
“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice,” she said.
McGregor later posted on his social media account: “I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
McGregor and his longtime fiancee, Dee Devlin, have four children.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since sustaining a broken leg during a July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier. The Ireland native is a former featherweight and lightweight champion with a record of 22-6, including 19 wins by knockout. – Rappler.com
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