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Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (36) must pay nearly 250,000 euros ($259,950) in damages for sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin in 2018, a jury decided on Friday. The jury of eight women and four men reached its verdict after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberation.
The plaintiff Nikita Hand alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her on Dec. 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, Ireland's high court heard during two weeks of evidence. McGregor denied the allegation and said that 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. 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 a bedroom in the penthouse and sexually assaulted her.
Hand's lawyer, John Gordon, said Hand was on anti-depressants, and "full of drugs" at the time of the alleged assault. Speaking outside the court, Hands said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received and that she felt vindicated. "I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up," she said. He was ordered by the Dublin court on Thursday to pay the legal costs of a woman who won a civil action in the last month against him over a rape allegation.
Justice Alexander Owens ruled that McGregor should pay the entire costs of the case which ran for 12 days, and have been estimated at around 1.5 million euros (£1.24 million) according to local media. The court was told that McGregor allegedly "brutally raped and battered" Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018 but the Irish sports star claimed they had consensual sex. Although the jury found in Hand's favor in connection with her accusation against McGregor, she lost an assault lawsuit against a second man.
McGregor is one of the biggest stars in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts circuit, formerly holding the featherweight and lightweight titles. In a statement on X after the civil case verdict, McGregor said he intended to appeal.
