Conor McGregor, MMA fighter, found liable in rape and sexual assault case, jury rules

According to many sources, MMA star Conor McGregor was found guilty on Friday in an Irish court of civil rape and sexual assault.

In a 2021 civil action, the 36-year-old athlete was charged with viciously raping and assaulting Nikita Hand in December 2018 when she was intoxicated after she invited McGregor to join her and a friend at a holiday party at work in Dublin.

A civil jury found McGregor guilty of sexually assaulting Hand and ordered him to pay her over $250,000 in damages, or about $257,000 in US dollars, according to the Associated Press and the Guardian.

According to Hand’s attorneys, the assault left him with bruises and post-traumatic stress disorder. She also claimed that she had been assaulted on the night in question by McGregor’s friend James Lawrence, although the Guardian said that Lawrence had not.

McGregor left the courthouse after the judgment, avoiding media and refusing to comment.

According to the Guardian, Hand told reporters outside the Dublin courthouse that she was overwhelmed by the amount of support she had gotten during the process.

Shortly after, Hand told the media, “I hope my story serves as a reminder to all the victims of sexual assault that, despite your fear, you have a voice and should continue to fight for justice.”

On Friday, Hand expressed gratitude to her daughter. Hand told the Associated Press that for the past six years, her daughter has given her a great deal of courage and strength during this nightmare.

“I want to demonstrate to [her] and all other girls and boys that you can defend yourself in the event of an incident, regardless of the person involved, and that justice will be done,” she said.

Following his departure from the courtroom, McGregor expressed his disappointment and his intention to appeal the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Today’s decision will be appealed,” McGregor stated. The modest amount and the judge’s instruction were for assault, not exemplary or aggravated damages. I’m disappointed that the jury was not given access to all of the evidence that the DPP considered. I’m with my family right now, focusing on the future. I appreciate all of your help from all across the world.

“The findings are very positive and a mark of belief in survivors across the country,” Rachel Morrogh, the chief executive of Dublin’s Rape Crisis Centre, told the Irish Mirror on Friday.

According to a written statement from Morrogh, Nikita Hand remained steadfast in her conviction that the truth must be spoken and accepted in court despite tremendous hardship. Many survivors of sexual violence who have been watching and listening intently to the story both inside and outside the courtroom will be relieved by today’s verdict.

McGregor has previously been charged with sexual assault in addition to Hand’s claims. A woman filed a lawsuit against McGregor in 2022, alleging that he assaulted her and threatened to drown her when they were celebrating his birthday on an Ibiza yacht. The case is still underway, and he has refuted the allegations.

When a lady claimed she was forcibly forced to have oral sex in a restroom at the Kaseya Center in Miami after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, McGregor was charged with sexual assault once more in 2023. However, according to ESPN, prosecutors stated they would not press the case due to a lack of adequate evidence.

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