Dublin, Ireland — Conor McGregor has faced a significant setback after the Court of Appeal upheld a jury’s finding that he raped Nikita Hand in December 2018, in a case that has drawn considerable public scrutiny. The jury at a civil trial awarded Ms. Hand nearly €250,000 in damages, a verdict the appeal court confirmed.
The Court of Appeal rejected McGregor’s entire appeal against the High Court’s decision, which also included a denial of costs for his friend, James Lawrence. The court decided that Ms. Hand would receive her legal costs at the highest level possible, especially concerning a request made to introduce fresh evidence that was ultimately abandoned due to “somewhat mysterious” circumstances.
McGregor’s public assertions challenging both the jury’s verdict and Ms. Hand’s testimony have not gone unnoticed. The court stated that this behavior warranted an indication of its displeasure. In addition, the matter has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further investigation.
During the appeal, McGregor aimed to introduce evidence from two individuals who alleged to be former neighbors of Ms. Hand. They claimed to have witnessed a dispute involving her and her former boyfriend after a night out with McGregor. However, Ms. Hand labeled their statements as falsehoods. Her legal team suggested that the testimony should be examined for possible perjury, with McGregor implicated in encouraging false testimony.
Justice Brian O’Moore noted that McGregor’s abandonment of this application could be interpreted as an acknowledgment of Ms. Hand’s integrity. He remarked on the distress caused by the attempt to introduce what was termed “new evidence,” emphasizing that the appeal represented a profound assault on Ms. Hand’s credibility. He highlighted that the jury had been clear in their determination that Ms. Hand was raped, directly countering McGregor’s claims of possible jury confusion over their verdict.
The appeal also tackled questions surrounding the admissibility of McGregor’s “no comment” responses to police queries during their investigation. Although the court assessed that allowing this evidence was incorrect, it also pointed out that the jury was repeatedly cautioned against interpreting these responses as any indication of guilt.
In its ruling, the court dismissed all of McGregor’s grounds for appeal. The judge affirmed that the jury’s conclusions were based on a clear understanding of the allegations presented.
The court addressed Mr. Lawrence’s request for costs, ultimately ruling against him. Although he had argued that the jury’s decision exonerated him, the court concluded that the jury’s verdict implied his testimony was not credible. Justice O’Moore remarked on the stark discrepancy between Lawrence’s account and the allegations made by Ms. Hand.
Furthermore, the court raised concerns about the relationship between McGregor and Lawrence, noting that McGregor had covered Lawrence’s legal fees. This financial arrangement introduced complexities that contributed to the decision to deny costs to Lawrence.
Outside the courtroom, Ms. Hand expressed the emotional toll the trial and subsequent appeal had taken on her well-being. She articulated her gratitude to those who supported her throughout the process, emphasizing the challenges survivors face in seeking justice. “You deserve to be heard, you also deserve justice,” she stated, reflecting on a long and painful journey toward healing.
This case underscores ongoing conversations around accountability and the challenging dynamics surrounding sexual assault allegations in public life.
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