Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor has been ordered to pay nearly €250,000 (about $259,950) in damages after a jury found him guilty of assaulting a woman at a party in Dublin in December 2018. The verdict came on Friday after six hours and ten minutes of jury deliberation at Ireland’s high court.
The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, accused McGregor of sexually assaulting her on December 9, 2018. She also alleged that another man, James Lawrence, assaulted her at the same event. However, the jury cleared Lawrence of any wrongdoing.
Details of the Incident
Hand testified that after attending a work Christmas party, she and a friend contacted McGregor, whom she already knew. She said McGregor drove them to a party in the penthouse of a south Dublin hotel. According to her account, drugs and alcohol were consumed at the party. She alleged that McGregor took her to a bedroom in the penthouse and sexually assaulted her.
Hand’s lawyer shared that she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the day after the incident. Medical professionals were reportedly concerned enough about her injuries to document them with photographs.
McGregor, 36, denied the allegations, claiming that the encounter was fully consensual. He also denied causing any injuries to the plaintiff. Following the verdict, McGregor left the court without commenting but later announced on social media platform X that he plans to appeal the decision.
Plaintiff’s Response
Speaking outside the court, Hand expressed her relief at the support she received throughout the case. “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,” she said.
This ruling marks another controversial chapter in McGregor’s career, as the fighter continues to face legal challenges and public scrutiny.
