Conor McGregor Ordered to Pay Damages in Civil Rape Case

A woman who accused Conor McGregor of rape has secured a civil victory, with a jury ruling in her favor and awarding her significant damages.

A jury in Dublin has ruled in favor of Nikita Hand, who accused Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her at a hotel in December 2018. The jury determined that the mixed martial arts fighter was liable for the assault and subsequently ordered him to pay over €248,000 (£206,000) in damages.

The case, which has drawn considerable media attention, concluded with deliberations that began on a Thursday afternoon. The jury ultimately found that McGregor did, in fact, assault Ms. Hand, despite his and another accused man's claims of consensual encounters.

In addition to her case against McGregor, Ms. Hand also brought allegations against James Lawrence, 35, who she claimed engaged in non-consensual sex with her at the Beacon Hotel. However, the jury cleared Lawrence of any wrongdoing, finding that he did not assault her.

After the verdict was announced, Ms. Hand expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout the legal proceedings. She encouraged others who have experienced similar circumstances to stand up for themselves, saying, "I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other young girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served."

Ms. Hand also reached out to other victims of sexual assault, emphasizing the importance of finding one's voice, regardless of fear: "My story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be to speak up, you have a voice."

Before the jury was sent to deliberate, Mr. Justice Alex Owens, overseeing the case, reiterated that the burden of proof lay with the plaintiff and clarified that the standard for reaching a verdict was based on the balance of probabilities—whether it was more probable than not that the assault occurred.