MMA fighter Conor McGregor to pay damages for assault

A civil jury in Ireland on Friday ordered mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor to pay nearly €250,000 (close to $260,000) in damages for assaulting a woman in Dublin in 2018.

The jury of eight women and four men reached its verdict after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberation.

What was the civil case against Conor McGregor?

During two weeks of evidence, the plaintiff, Nikita Hand, alleged McGregor sexually assaulted her and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same.

The woman's lawsuit, heard in Ireland's high court, claimed McGregor had "brutally raped and battered" her on December 9, 2018, and that he was left heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

During oftentimes emotional testimony, Hand said that she and a friend had met McGregor after a work Christmas party, and were driven to a party in a penthouse room of a south Dublin hotel where drugs and alcohol were consumed.

She said McGregor took her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her.

Hand said McGregor put her in a choke hold multiple times and later told her, "Now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times," referring to an Ultimate Fighting Championship when the athlete had to admit defeat.

She told the court she feared she would die and never see her daughter again.

Hand's lawyer, John Gordon, told the jury that she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the day after the alleged assault.

He said that a doctor was so concerned that he directed that photographs be taken of her injuries

McGregor insists sex was consensual

McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that the woman had fabricated her allegations.

The 36-year-old McGregor said that he had "fully consensual sex" with Hand, adding that while it was athletic and vigorous, it was not rough. He also denied causing bruising to the plaintiff.

The defense showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show Hand kiss McGregor's arm and hug him after they left the hotel room, with defense attorney Remy Farrell saying she looked "happy, happy, happy."

Although her complaint was investigated by the police, prosecutors decided not to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence and that a conviction was unlikely.

Speaking outside the court after the verdict, Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received and felt vindicated.

"I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up," she said.

mm/dj (AFP, AP, Reuters)

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that the jury found McGregor assaulted Hand, not that he sexually assaulted her.