Mixed martial arts icon Conor McGregor has lost his appeal against a civil court`s judgment that found him liable for assault. The case was brought by Dublin resident Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of rape following an incident in December 2018. Hand was awarded significant damages and legal costs, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a civil court`s decision that found him liable for assault, a case brought by Dublin resident Nikita Hand, who alleged rape. The appeal, lodged by McGregor, was rejected on all five grounds presented by a three-judge panel.
Ms. Hand, aged 35, had previously won her civil lawsuit against McGregor concerning an incident in December 2018. She claimed she was “brutally raped and battered” by him in a penthouse suite of a hotel in south Dublin. Despite McGregor`s assertion that the encounter was consensual, the jury determined he was civilly liable for assault.
Following the initial trial in November, Ms. Hand received €248,603.60 in damages. McGregor was also instructed to cover approximately €1.3 million in legal expenses.
Grounds for Appeal and Their Rejection
One of McGregor`s initial appeal points centered on new evidence from Samantha O`Reilly, a former neighbor of Ms. Hand. O`Reilly claimed to have witnessed a physical argument between Ms. Hand and her then-partner around the time of the alleged incident at the Beacon hotel. However, McGregor`s legal representatives unexpectedly withdrew this particular ground of appeal earlier this month, stating they would no longer use the supporting material.
Other aspects of McGregor`s appeal focused on the admissibility of his “no comment” statements made to An Garda Síochána (Irish police) during the trial, questioning whether they should have been allowed as evidence.
Co-defendant`s Appeal Also Dismissed
In a related development, James Lawrence, McGregor`s co-defendant in the original case, also lost his appeal regarding the trial judge`s refusal to award him legal costs. While the jury in the November trial did not find Mr. Lawrence liable for assaulting Ms. Hand at the hotel, the trial judge ruled that Ms. Hand was not obligated to pay Mr. Lawrence`s legal expenses. Mr. Lawrence`s legal team challenged this ruling, arguing its fairness and logic, given the jury`s verdict in his favor.
Court of Appeal`s Final Decision
On Thursday, a three-judge panel comprising Ms. Justice Isobel Kennedy, Mr. Justice Brian O`Moore, and Mr. Justice Patrick MacGrath delivered their judgment, unanimously deciding to reject both appeals in full. Mr. Justice O`Moore, speaking for the panel, summarized the appeals` grounds and detailed the Court of Appeal`s reasoning for dismissing all five.
He concluded by stating, “I therefore dismiss the appeal in its entirety.”
Following the verdict, Ms. Hand was seen embracing her supporters in the courtroom. Neither McGregor nor Mr. Lawrence were present for the judgment.
