A woman who accused MMA fighter Conor McGregor of violently raping her in 2018 has won a civil case in Ireland, according to The Guardian.
McGregor was ordered to pay more than $250,000 to Nikita Hand, who alleged that McGregor brutally assaulted her in a hotel penthouse in 2018 in Dublin. Hand spoke outside of the courthouse after the verdict Friday, thanking her family and her legal team.
“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,” Hand said.
McGregor, in a statement shared with Rolling Stone, said he had “instructed my legal team to appeal today’s decision.” He continued: “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, there was not an award for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the [Director of Public Prosecutions] reviewed. I am with my family, focused on my future.”
During the trial, Hand’s attorney told the jury that McGregor had assaulted her out of anger after losing a fight several months prior (per The Associated Press).
“He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” John Gordon said during the trial. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.” During Hand’s testimony, she told the court that she was afraid McGregor was going to kill her, claiming McGregor put her in a choke hold during the encounter.
Hand brought her claims to the police, but they didn’t pursue criminal charges against McGregor. McGregor denied the allegations, claiming that he and Hand had engaged in consensual sex. He called the allegations “full blown lies” during the trial.
McGregor’s attorney Remy Farrell had encouraged jurors to put aside any personal feelings they may have about McGregor when determining their verdict. “You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” Farrell said, per the BBC, adding that “what is important is the evidence.”