Conor McGregor, the Irish mixed martial arts star, has vowed to appeal a civil jury’s decision that found him guilty of raping a woman at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The verdict, delivered on Friday, awarded €248,603 in damages to the plaintiff, Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ní Laimhín. McGregor maintains that the encounter was consensual and has expressed disappointment with the jury’s findings.
The case centered on accusations by Ms. Hand that McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in the penthouse of the Beacon Hotel in south Dublin. McGregor, who had vehemently denied the allegations throughout the trial, responded to the verdict with a statement on social media, asserting his intention to challenge the decision.
“I will be appealing today’s decision,” McGregor wrote. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
During the proceedings, Ms. Hand also brought allegations against another man, James Lawrence, claiming he assaulted her by engaging in non-consensual sex at the same hotel. However, the jury dismissed her claims against Lawrence.
After an intensive trial that spanned eight days of testimony and three days of closing arguments and judicial instructions, the jury—composed of eight women and four men—deliberated for six hours and 10 minutes before reaching their decision. When the verdict was announced, McGregor, seated in the back row of the courtroom alongside his family, shook his head in response. He was accompanied by his partner, Dee Devlin, as well as his parents, sister, and brother-in-law.
Ms. Hand, 35, reacted emotionally to the outcome, shedding tears as she was embraced by her partner and other supporters present in the courtroom.
Following the verdict, Ms. Hand shared her reflections on the case, expressing hope that her experience would inspire other victims of assault to seek justice. “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.
“It’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” she remarked. “Now that justice has been served, I can try and move on and look forward to the future with my family, friends, and daughter.”
When asked if she felt vindicated by the jury’s decision, Ms. Hand replied simply, “Yes, I do. Thank you.”
