Conor McGregor found liable in rape and assault case; victim awarded six-figure sum

NEW DELHI: Conor McGregor, a former mixed martial arts fighter, was found liable for assault by a civil court jury in Dublin, Ireland.
Nikita Hand, the plaintiff, alleged that McGregor had "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018. The jury awarded Hand nearly 250,000 Euros (USD 257,000) in damages.
Hand testified that the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
She claimed that McGregor forced himself on her despite her refusal and threatened to kill her during the encounter. McGregor, on the other hand, denied the allegations and stated that they had consensual sex.
The trial saw contrasting testimonies from both parties, with Hand's lawyer portraying McGregor as a "coward" who took out his anger on her, while McGregor's defence team argued that Hand fabricated the allegations for financial gain.
The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, deliberated for about six hours before finding McGregor liable for assault. McGregor expressed his intention to appeal the verdict and the "modest award."
Hand expressed relief at the outcome, stating that she would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her supporters, particularly her daughter, for giving her the strength and courage to pursue justice.
"She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice," she said. "I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served."