Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor must pay almost 250,000 (R$1.5 million) in compensation for sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin in 2018, a jury decided this Friday (22).
The jury, made up of eight women and four men, reached its verdict after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberation.
Plaintiff Nikita Hand alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her on December 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, Ireland’s high court heard during two weeks of testimony.
The jury found that Lawrence did not assault Hand. McGregor left the courtroom without commenting.
McGregor, 36, denied the accusation and said he had “completely consensual sexual relations” with Hand. He also denied causing bruises to the author.
Hand’s lawyer told the jury that when she was taken to a sexual assault treatment unit the day after the alleged assault, a doctor was so concerned that he ordered photographs of her injuries to be taken.
Hand said she and a friend got in touch with McGregor, who she knew, after a work Christmas party. She claimed they were taken by McGregor to a party in a hotel penthouse in south Dublin, where drugs and alcohol were consumed.
She said McGregor took her to a penthouse room and sexually assaulted her. Hand’s attorney, John Gordon, stated that Hand was taking antidepressants and “full of drugs” at the time of the alleged assault.
Speaking outside court, Hand said she was humbled by the support she had received. “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how scared you may be, speak up,” she said.
