Conor McGregor: Civil court jury finds he assaulted woman in hotel

The woman who accused Conor McGregor of assault said “justice was served” after winning a civil case against the Irish mixed martial arts fighter, who says he will appeal the decision.

Nikita Hand was awarded €248,603 (£206,000) in compensation after a Dublin High Court jury found that McGregor had attacked her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

McGregor, 36, made no comment as he quickly left court following the decision on Friday evening, but later said he had instructed his legal team to appeal.

In a statement issued on his behalf, he expressed “disappointment that the jury did not hear all the evidence reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions,” before adding: “I am with my family and focused on my future.”

In a speech to the court after the decision, an emotional Ms Hand said the weeks of her civil case against McGregor had been a “nightmare”.

“I would like to start by saying that I am overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everyone,” she said.

“I hope my story will remind you that no matter how afraid you are: speak up, you have a voice and continue to fight for justice.”

She said the civil case had an impact not only on her life, but also on the lives of her daughter, friends and loved ones.

Ms Hand continued: “It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life.

“Now that justice has been served, I can try to move on and look to the future with my family, friends and daughter.”

The player previously told the court that in December 2018 he had consensual sex with Ms Hand in a suite at the Beacon Hotel.

The civil court jury was told Ms Hand suffered extensive injuries, including purple and blue bruises to her hands and wrists, a bloody scratch to her chest and neck tenderness.

However, the fighter’s lawyers disputed the lawsuit and accused her of trying to “extort”.

They pointed to CCTV footage of Ms Hand arriving and leaving the hotel with McGregor and a second man, James Lawrence, whom she also accused of assault.

Both McGregor and Lawrence have denied any wrongdoing. Although she won her case against McGregor, Ms Hand lost her claim against Lawrence.

On Monday, McGregor’s legal team also told the jury it didn’t matter whether they disliked or even hated the famous fighter, urging them to look at the evidence rather than his character.

According to the civil suit, McGregor and the plaintiff knew each other and kept in touch from time to time on social media.

Before the attack, Ms Hand contacted the militant, who took her and a friend to his car.

McGregor “approached her” but she did not want to have sex with him because she was on her period, the trial heard.