A Dublin court jury found mixed martial arts (MMA) star Conor McGregor liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in December 2018, ordering him to pay €248,000 ($400,000) in damages. The verdict, reached after a two-week civil trial in Ireland’s high court, concluded that McGregor assaulted Hand in a Dublin hotel room following a Christmas party. McGregor, who has consistently denied the allegations, claimed the encounter was consensual. Hand, encouraged by the verdict, urged other sexual assault victims to come forward.

Hand testified that she and a friend met McGregor, an acquaintance, after a work Christmas party. They were driven to a penthouse suite at a south Dublin hotel where they consumed drugs and alcohol. Hand alleged McGregor then brought her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her. Her lawyer, John Gordon, stated that Hand was under the influence of drugs and antidepressants at the time of the alleged assault. Medical evidence presented to the court included photographs of injuries Hand sustained, taken at the direction of a doctor who examined her the day after the incident. McGregor denied responsibility for the bruising.

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for just over six hours before delivering their verdict. McGregor left the court without comment. A second man, James Lawrence, was also accused by Hand, but the jury found him not liable.

Hand reported the incident to the police in 2018. However, prosecutors declined to pursue charges due to insufficient evidence and the perceived unlikelihood of a conviction. The civil case allowed Hand to pursue justice through a different legal avenue.

Following the verdict, Hand expressed relief and gratitude for the support she received. In a statement outside the court, she emphasized the importance of victims reporting such crimes. “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up,” she said.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by sexual assault survivors in seeking justice. The high-profile nature of McGregor, one of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2021 according to Forbes, with earnings of $180 million that year, added another layer of complexity and public scrutiny to the proceedings. The substantial damages awarded reflect the severity of the assault and the court’s recognition of Hand’s suffering. The verdict concludes a lengthy legal process that has garnered significant media attention and raises broader questions about the treatment of sexual assault claims and the accountability of high-profile individuals. The case also underscores the importance of support systems for survivors and the ongoing need to encourage reporting of sexual assault. The long-term impact of the verdict on McGregor’s career and public image remains to be seen. The case serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual assault and the courage it takes for victims to come forward.