THE JURY IN the High Court civil case against Conor McGregor has found that he did sexually assault Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

Nikita Hand (Ní Laimhín) alleged that McGregor “sexually assaulted her, and in effect, raped her” in a hotel penthouse in Dublin on 9 December 2018, and that a second defendant, James Lawrence, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, “did likewise”, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury on the first day of the civil trial.

The jury found that Lawrence did not sexually assault Hand.

The jury awarded €60,000 in general damages, damages for loss of earnings of €135,026, agreed medical expenses of €4,557.64, and loss of future earnings of €50,000. Special damages awarded in total were €188,603.60. No aggravated damages or exemplary damages were awarded. 

The total damages awarded were €248,603.60.

The allegations in the civil action, which were brought against McGregor in 2021, were fully denied.

The jury deliberated for six hours and ten minutes before returning to court to deliver their verdict.

Before their return, Mr Justice Owens told some of the people standing at the back of the packed courtroom to move upstairs to the public gallery. He also said he wanted no scenes and told everyone to remain calm when the verdict was delivered. “Anyone that doesn’t will find themselves in jail,” he said. 

McGregor was in court with several members of his family, including his partner Dee Devlin, his parents Tony and Margaret McGregor and his sister Aoife McGregor.

Sitting between his mother and his partner, he shook his head when the verdict was read out.

Hand was in court with her partner. She cried and was visibly shaking when she heard the verdict, and was hugged by her partner and family. 

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Mr Justice Owens thanked the jury for their delivery. 

The evidence in the case concluded last week, with both sides finishing their closing arguments in court on Tuesday.

Mr Justice Owens concluded his charge to the jury of eight women and four men in court on Thursday afternoon.

In a post on X after today’s verdict, McGregor said that he would appeal the ruling.

“The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future,” he said.

If this article has impacted you, the National Rape Crisis Helpline is open 24 hours a day for people who have been affected by sexual violence. Tel: 1800 77 88 88