Conor McGregor loses civil rape case against Nikita Hand, jury awards nearly €250k in damages
Mixed martial arts star, Conor McGregor has lost his civil case against plaintiff, Nikita Hand in the High Court this evening, with the sitting jury saying the Dublin fighter was guilty of assaulting the former hair colorist during an alleged incident at the Beacon Hotel in December, 2018.
Hand, who accused both Conor McGregor and his co-defendant, James Lawrence of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh of raping her during the alleged incident, has been awarded €250,000 in damages by the jury. Lawrence was found not guilty by the jury.
Conor McGregor assaulted Nikita Hand during 2018 incident jury says
Leaving court in Dublin this evening, accompanied by his long-time partner, Dee Devlin, and his mother Margaret McGregor, McGregor, 36, refused to comment as he was met with a swarm of media following the proceedings.
Herself leaving the court following the verdict presented by the jury, Ms Hand thanked her legal counsel as well as medical staff her treated her, before claiming support she had received during the preceding had not gone “unnoticed”.
“I would like to start off by saying I’m overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everybody.”First, I want to thank the legal team and my three barristers, John Gordon, Ray Boland and Sean. They have been amazing from start to finish. I want to thank Mr Justice Alexander Owens, the jury, all the witnesses, I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital for looking after me, especially my own doctor Frank Clarke.
“I want to thank the Rape Crisis Centre, especially Cliona, who has been by my side throughout this entire period. I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew. I want to thank all the women and men out there who have supported me throughout this trial.”For every person who reached out to me a card, a letter, e-mail, everything, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you. I really appreciate it so much.”I want to thank my partner Gary, who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout his trial every day and every other day.”I want to thank my mam and all my family and friends.
“Lastly, I want to thank my daughter Freya, who I’m most grateful for. She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice.”I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself. If something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served. 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.
“I know this has impacted not only my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends tremendously, and it’s something that will I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. But now that justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family and friends and daughter.” (via RTE)
