Dublin, Ireland — A civil jury in Ireland delivered a verdict on Friday against mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor, finding him liable for sexually assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018. The plaintiff, whose identity remains confidential, accused McGregor of raping and battering her after a night of extensive partying, leading to severe emotional and physical distress.
The jury awarded nearly $257,000 in damages to the woman, who described a harrowing experience that left her bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Her lawyer depicted the alleged assault as brutal, asserting that what was supposed to be a festive night turned into a traumatic ordeal for his client.
McGregor, on his part, contested the claims throughout the trial. The MMA fighter testified that the sexual interaction was consensual and accused the woman of fabricating the allegations. He insisted there was no force involved and that the accuser was lying about the events.
During the emotionally charged court sessions, the woman shared distressing details of the incident, claiming that McGregor had threatened her life and used physical force, including chokeholds. She recounted fearing for her life and the possibility of never seeing her daughter again. These claims were supported by her immediate apologies and assurances to McGregor after the attack, which she claimed were made under duress to protect herself from further harm.
The defense argued against the reliability of the woman’s testimony, suggesting inconsistencies and highlighting CCTV footage that showed her displaying affection towards McGregor post the alleged assault. McGregor’s legal team emphasized this as evidence of her consent and contentment at the time, challenging the jury to disregard their inherent biases against the MMA celebrity’s controversial persona.
McGregor denied the allegations of violence, particularly the claim surrounding the chokehold, which he described as undermining his professional integrity. He presented his sexual demeanor as athletic but not violent, contradicting the plaintiff’s assertions of a brutal and forceful encounter.
The case has drawn significant attention, given McGregor’s high-profile status and the serious nature of the allegations. It also underscores ongoing concerns about consent and the complexities surrounding sexual assault allegations involving celebrities.
Police had previously investigated the woman’s complaint but declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence to expect a conviction. This civil trial, therefore, provided a different avenue for the plaintiff to seek justice.
This verdict is part of a broader societal reckoning with sexual misconduct, particularly in high-profile cases. It highlights the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault regarding proof and the frequent clash between interpretations of consensual encounters and alleged assaults.
The result of this civil case does not equate to criminal guilt but represents a finding of liability on a balance of probabilities, indicating the jury found the woman’s account of the events more likely than not to be true.
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