DUBLIN: A civil jury in Ireland on Friday ordered mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor to pay nearly 250,000 euros in damages for sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin in 2018.
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The jury of eight women and four men reached a verdict after 6 hours and 10 minutes of deliberation.
What is the civil case against Conor McGregor?
During two weeks of evidence, plaintiff Nikita Hand alleged McGregor sexually assaulted her and another man, James Lawrence, did the same.
The woman’s case, heard in Ireland’s high court, claims McGregor “severely raped and beat” her on December 9, 2018, and that he suffered severe bruising and injuries. post-traumatic stress disorder.
In emotional testimony, Hand said that she and a friend met McGregor after a work Christmas party and were taken to a party in the penthouse room of a south Dublin hotel where consumption drugs and alcohol.
She said McGregor took her into the bedroom and sexually assaulted her.
Hand said McGregor choked her multiple times and then told her, “Now you know how I feel in the octagon where I tap three times,” referring to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when athletes have to admit defeat. .
She told the court she feared she would die and never see her daughter again.
Hand’s attorney John Gordon told the jury that she was transferred to the sexual assault treatment unit the day after the alleged attack.
He said a doctor was so concerned that he ordered photographs of her injuries to be taken
McGregor affirmed that the sex was consensual
McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that the woman fabricated her allegations.
McGregor, 36, said he had “completely consensual sex” with Hand, adding that while it was athletic and vigorous, it was not rough. He also denied causing bruises to the plaintiff.
The defense played surveillance video in court which they said appeared to show Tay kissing McGregor’s arm and hugging him after they left the hotel room, with defense lawyer Remy Farrell saying she looked “ happy, happy, happy.”
Although her complaint was investigated by the police, prosecutors decided not to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence and difficulty in convicting her.
Speaking outside court after the verdict, Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she received and felt vindicated.
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“I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how scared you are, speak up,” she said.