This report contains details of a sexual nature that some readers may find distressing.

The final witness for the defence in Conor McGregor’s alleged rape civil legal action was called today, possibly bringing the case to an imminent close.

The MMA fighter and James Lawrence, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, are being sued by Nikita Hand for damages arising from alleged rapes in the Beacon Hotel, Dublin, in 2018.

A forensic physician was called to give evidence today, rebutting claims that Ms Hand was covered in bruises after Mr McGregor allegedly raped her.

All evidence in the case has now been presented to jurors.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Newstalk Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney said the “next stage” will be “closing statements”.

“Lawyers on both sides will be given an opportunity to address the jurors for a final time, in the same way that criminal barristers would,” he said.

Civil legal action

Frank echoed a reminder that this case is a civil legal action and not a criminal case.

“Once those closing speeches have been delivered, then the judge, Justice Alex Judge Owens, will direct the jurors in relation to the law and what they'll have to consider when they eventually begin their deliberations at some point next week,” he said.

“I suppose where it differs [from a criminal trial] is clearly they're not going to be considering the guilt or otherwise in relation to criminal offenses, because, as we've been at pains to say throughout, this isn't a criminal case.

“What will happen is they'll be given a list of questions to answer, and when they go back to their jury room, they will consider all of the evidence before they give their answers in relation to those questions.”

Frank said it is hard to say how soon the jury will be sent to begin their deliberations.

“You would expect by Wednesday or Thursday they may be sent out to consider the evidence,” he said.

Nikita Hand leaving the High Court. 12/11/2024 Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

In court today, the jury heard a forensic physician give evidence “in relation to bruising in general terms”.

“He described a bruise as a discolouration of the skin caused when blood leaks out from blood vessels under the skin,” Frank said.

“He said they're caused by blunt force and can change colour over time from blue to brown to yellow, before eventually fading away.

“He said that if damaged blood vessels are deep in the tissue, it can take up to 24 or 48 hours for them to appear.”

Extensive bruising

The jury had already heard evidence of extensive bruising to Ms Hand.

“The jury heard that when she went to the sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital - this was the day after the alleged rape back in December of 2018 - she had bruising on all of her limbs and her body,” Frank said.

“She had a purple bruise on the right side of her neck, which the jury was told looked like a love bite, but the experts who gave evidence earlier in the trial couldn't say whether that was given with consent or not.

“The doctor who examined her in the Rotunda Hospital described her injuries as significant - he said they were consistent with the outline of events she gave him.”

Conor McGregor’s co-defendant James Lawrence. 06-11-2024. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Frank said one of the paramedics who brought Ms Hand to hospital “said that there appeared to be some bruising around her neck” and when she examined her she also said that she had “bruising around her chest, breast, down her legs and around her buttocks”.

“She said that she hadn't actually seen that intensity of bruising on a person before,” he said.

During cross examination, the forensic physician “accepted that some bruises can appear quickly”.

“He was also asked about the anti-anxiety drug sertraline, which is a drug we know was prescribed to Nikita Hand by her GP,” Frank said.

Anti-anxiety drug

The forensic physician described the drug data sheet in relation to that particular drug.

“He said that it shows that there is a higher propensity for bruising when a person is taking it,” Frank said.

“He was the only witness call today, and once he stepped down, the jurors were told that he is the final witness in the case.

“So after eight days in the High Court, all of the evidence has now been presented to the eight women and four men on the jury.”

If you have been impacted by rape or sexual assault you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre 24-Hour National Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

Main image: Conor McGregor. 12/11/2024 Image: Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie