Conor McGregor found liable in Dublin assault case as jury awards €248,603 to Nikita Hand

Conor McGregor, Irish MMA star, found liable for 2018 hotel rape, faces €248,603 damages, and announces appeal.

A jury at Dublin High Court has found mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor liable for assaulting Nikita Hand in a 2018 incident at a Dublin hotel, awarding her €248,603 (£206,000) in damages. McGregor has announced his intention to appeal the decision.

Ms. Hand described the legal process as a "nightmare" and expressed relief following the verdict. Speaking outside the court, she said, "Justice has been served," adding, “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be: Speak up and fight for justice.” She noted the lasting impact of the case on her life and her loved ones, including her young daughter.

McGregor, 36, denied the allegations, claiming the encounter was consensual. However, Ms. Hand testified that McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a hotel penthouse, choking her multiple times and leaving her with injuries, including bruises, a scratch, and tenderness to her neck. Lawyers for McGregor contested the lawsuit, accusing Ms. Hand of attempting to extort the athlete. They referenced CCTV footage showing her arriving and leaving the hotel with McGregor and a second man, James Lawrence. While Ms. Hand lost her claim against Lawrence, the jury ruled in her favor against McGregor.

McGregor, in a statement, expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating, “I am with my family, focused on my future,” and criticized the trial, saying, "The jury did not hear all the evidence reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions."

The civil trial, which lasted two weeks, required jurors to assess evidence based on the balance of probabilities, a lower standard than in criminal cases. With McGregor’s legal team preparing to appeal, the case remains unresolved, leaving questions about the next legal steps.

Conor McGregor found liable in Dublin assault case as jury awards €248,603 to Nikita Hand