Conor McGregor answerable for 2018 Dublin sexual assault

(This story was up to date so as to add new info.)

Former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor has been discovered responsible of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit in Eire.

A jury in Dublin on Friday returned a responsible verdict that McGregor sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in December 2018. Hand filed a civil go well with in early 2021 alleging whereas intoxicated, McGregor and one other man, James Lawrence, had intercourse along with her with out her consent. Full prison fees weren’t pursued.

The jury, in line with Irish Mirror journalist Paul Healy, who has been within the courtroom all through the trial, returned a verdict that included damages amounting to round €250,000 (practically the identical in U.S. {dollars}). The jury returned its verdict in just a little greater than six hours.

The jury stated Lawrence didn’t assault Hand. Through the trial, Hand’s legal professional stated McGregor and Lawrence made a mixed effort to have Lawrence take the autumn, fairly than McGregor.

Hand was searching for damages – common, particular, aggravated, and punitive – for the incident and her incapability to work on account of psychological well being causes, in line with courtroom paperwork. Within the assertion of declare reported by The New York Instances in 2021, Hand sought damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for a similar.

McGregor and his authorized staff had been within the courtroom for the decision, as was McGregor’s spouse, Dee Devlin, with whom he shares 4 youngsters, the primary of which was born in late 2017. McGregor admitted underneath oath in the course of the trial that he had intercourse with Hand in the course of the incident in query in late 2018, however stated it was consensual.

The trial wrapped up on the finish of its second week. McGregor and one other MMA fighter, James Lawrence, confronted sexual assault accusations in a lawsuit filed by Hand, who alleged that they had intercourse along with her with out her consent whereas she was intoxicated in December 2018 at a resort after an extended evening of partying. Prison fees weren’t totally pursued, however Hand filed a civil go well with in 2021.

McGregor has not fought since a July 2021 TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. It’s been greater than eight years since he most lately held a UFC title, which was stripped from him for failure to defend. Though he was tapped to educate on “The Final Fighter” reverse Michael Chandler and struggle afterward, that struggle has not come to fruition. UFC CEO Dana White stated he expects McGregor again within the UFC by the top of 2025.

McGregor says he’ll enchantment determination

McGregor posted on social media that he was upset within the determination and that he deliberate to enchantment, He stated the “modest award” given to Hand was just for his assault of her, and appeared to attempt to ease his stage of guilt by saying she was not awarded something for “aggravated or exemplary damages.”

McGregor additionally stated he was together with his household and “targeted on my future.”

Hand speaks exterior courthouse

Hand spoke to reporters from a pre-written assertion whereas surrounded by household and pals exterior the courthouse moments after the decision was handed down.

“I’m overwhelmed. I’m touched by the help I’ve acquired from all people,” Hand stated.”… (My daughter) has given me the power and braveness over the past six years all through this nightmare to maintain on pushing for justice. I wish to present (her) and each different lady and boy that if one thing occurs to you, you possibly can rise up for your self – irrespective of who the particular person is, and justice will probably be served.”

BREAKING: Nikita Hand speaks exterior courtroom. pic.twitter.com/H1K4eit8Ug

— Paul Healy (@Healyhack) November 22, 2024

McGregor’s testimony earlier within the trial

Irish combined martial arts fighter Conor McGregor arrives at courtroom, on the day he attends a civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Eire November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

McGregor’s time on the stand was break up throughout two days, in line with quite a few experiences, together with from the Irish Mirror. McGregor has denied the allegations from the beginning, together with a passionate verbal denial throughout his first day on the stand final Wednesday, throughout which McGregor known as the allegations “lies” and stated the scenario has instilled concern in him.

On Thursday, McGregor returned to the stand and was cross-examined by Hand legal professional John Gordon. McGregor admitted to cocaine use in the course of the hours across the alleged the incident however reaffirmed intercourse with Hand was consensual and never pre-planned, regardless of having booked a resort room.

Gordon questioned McGregor about an preliminary assertion given to Gardai, the Irish authorities, in the course of the investigation and why the UFC star responded “no remark” to an estimated 150 questions. McGregor responded that he was “petrified” and took his attorneys’ recommendation.

McGregor additionally denied Hand’s declare that she had a tampon lodged deep inside her throughout intercourse. A medical employee beforehand testified forceps had been used to take away a tampon throughout her go to to an area emergency room.

McGregor admitted he paid Lawrence’s authorized charges for this case, one thing Gordon used to say it was a coordinated effort by the 2 defendants to make Lawrence a “fall man.”

James Lawrence’s testimony

Co-defendant James Lawrence arrives at courtroom, on the day of Irish combined martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Eire November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Final Thursday, Lawrence spoke publicly on the incident for the primary time as he took the stand.

Lawrence denied cocaine use on the evening of the incident and stated he isn’t a drug person. He detailed how he and Danielle Kealey, Hand’s co-worker who was within the connecting room in the course of the alleged incident, had intercourse a number of instances in a single room whereas he might hear Hand moaning within the different room.

Lawrence added that he might see Hand on high of McGregor by way of an open door and that there didn’t seem like any misery. Lawrence additionally added Hand entered the room as he and Kealey had been getting intimate and cracked a joke towards the 2 of them.

Lawrence admitted to then having intercourse with Hand twice, one thing Hand said she has no reminiscence of and solely discovered by way of native authorities’ investigation. Lawrence claims Hand initiated the intimacy, making an attempt “14, 15 instances” to make a transfer towards him.

Based on the Irish Mirror, surveillance footage reveals the 2 within the resort and elevator displaying public indicators of affection. Hand claims she was intoxicated whereas this was happening and was taken benefit of.

Lawrence stated intercourse with Hand was consensual, and he or she didn’t appear distressed, exterior of a short vocal realization that she had betrayed her boyfriend. He stated he observed bruising on Hand, although it was not from him. Lawrence stated he and Hand ordered meals earlier than he paid for her trip house.

Throughout cross-examination, Lawrence confirmed he was the one to return forth and inform police about his alleged sexual encounter with Hand. This got here a pair days after McGregor had given his assertion to police.

Closing arguments

Nikita Hand arrives at courtroom, on the day she attends Irish combined martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Eire November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Each attorneys had a possibility to steer the jury one final time throughout their closing arguments.

McGregor’s legal professional, Remy Farrell, went first and requested the jury to decide based mostly on the proof, not on their private opinions of McGregor. Farrell repeatedly pointed to Hand’s spotty reminiscence of the occasions and introduced up testimony from Kealey that she had not observed something irregular. Farrell additionally introduced up the surveillance footage as contradicting her account of her interactions with Lawrence.

Subsequent, Lawrence legal professional John Fitzgerald made his ultimate pitch. He pointed to Lawrence’s “relative obscurity” and disinterest in being within the highlight. Fitzgerald echoed Lawrence’s denial of being a “fall man” and introduced up Kealey and the surveillance footage, as nicely.

Lastly, Hand’s legal professional, Gordon, returned and reiterated his shopper’s allegations that she was forcefully raped. Gordon introduced up testimony from medical professionals together with paramedic Eithne Scully, who indicated the scene on the ambulance with Hand after the incident was one of many worst she’s ever been on.

Gordon pointed to Dr. Ann Chief’s testimony that Hand suffers from PTSD on account of the incident. Gordon additionally introduced up the bruising current on Hand and the tampon that was lodged inside her vagina.