Civil Assault Case Verdict Results in Conor McGregor Ordered to Pay €248,000 in Damages.
A jury at Dublin’s High Court has found mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor guilty of assaulting Nikita Hand in December 2018 in a high profile case that gripped public attention. Ms. McGregor was being sued in the civil case by Hand, who has been awarded €248,000 (£206,000) in damages.
The Verdict: A Milestone for Justice
McGregor was found to have assaulted Ms Hand in a hotel room after a Christmas party, when jurors deliberated for over six hours. ‘I am grateful to everyone who supported me through this trial,’ said Ms. Hand following her hearing on Friday.
That’s Ms. Hand’s message to others who may be hesitant to speak up: ‘You have a voice, no matter how afraid you are,’ she said.
McGregor Responds
McGregor, the owner of the app Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, denied the allegations via a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), and said he also would appeal the decision. “I am currently with family focused on my future and I would like to thank my worldwide supporters,” he said.
Incident Details
McGregor held her down on a bed and assaulted her, according to Ms. Hand, who says she has extensive bruises, abrasions and other injuries from the attack. McGregor denied she had been put into a “chokehold” and said she only suffered the injuries as it was only alleged she dived into a bathtub.
Ms Hand was then taken to Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital on the following day for assessment in a sexual assault treatment unit, the court was told. It had been a long time since she had seen someone ‘so bruised,’ a paramedic testified.
A Life Changed
Ms. Hand has been badly financially and emotionally damaged. Speaking in court, she said she’d been unable to work as a hairdresser since the incident because of mental health problems. Her personal life also ended with the destruction of her relationship, and she became financially unstable and ended up with mortgage arrears.
Ms Hand had spent over €4,000 (£3,326) on medical and psychotherapy costs but was unable to continue counseling due to financial constraints, the jury had heard.
Ms. Hand’s Message
As a mother to a young daughter now, Ms. Hand said she wants to be an example to others. “Whatever you do in life, I want to be able to show Freya and every other young girl and boy that it doesn’t matter who the bully is, you should stand up for yourself and it will be OK in the end.”
More Allegations Dismissed
The case also involved charges against another man, James Lawrence, who Ms. Hand said assaulted her at the same hotel. The jury, however, decided Mr. Lawrence did not assault her.
What’s Next?
The case has become a flashpoint in the discussion surrounding holding influential people to account, and as McGregor appeals the decision, stocks are sparking in a debate about a potential apology. Ms. Hand’s victory sends a strong message about that we should always keep fighting for justice no matter who’s odds are against us.
As attacks such as this prove to have a lasting impact, this verdict is further a reminder of just how much courage is required to speak out. It’s a step toward healing for Ms. Hand, but the fight for justice is far from over as McGregor fights to have the decision reversed.
