DUBLIN: Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor assaulted a woman during a party in Dublin in 2018, and must pay her nearly 250,000 euros ($259,950) in compensation, a jury decided on Friday.
The jury of eight women and four men reached its verdict in the civil trial at the High Court in Ireland after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberations.
The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her on December 9, 2018, and that another man, called James Lawrence, did the same, the court heard during two weeks of evidence.
The jury found that Lawrence did not assault Hand. McGregor left the court amidst a large crowd of journalists without commenting and later posted on X that he intended to appeal the decision.
McGregor, 36, denied the allegation and said he had “fully consensual sex” with Hand. He also denied causing bruises to the plaintiff.
Hand’s lawyer told the jury that when she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the day after the alleged assault, the doctor was so concerned that he ordered photographs of her injuries to be taken.
Hand said she and her friend called McGregor, whom she knew, after a Christmas party at work. She said McGregor led them to a party in a penthouse room in a south Dublin hotel where drugs and alcohol were consumed.
She said McGregor took her to a bedroom in the shed and sexually assaulted her.
Speaking outside court, Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she received and felt vindicated.
“To all victims of sexual assault, I hope my story serves as a reminder that no matter how afraid you are, speak up, you have a voice and keep fighting for justice,” she said.