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

Conor McGregor has been described to a jury in the High Court as a “devious coward", who "doesn’t have the courage or the decency to own up to what he did".

The statement was made by the lawyer representing a woman who is suing the MMA fighter for damages, arising out of an alleged rape at a hotel in Dublin in 2018.

John Gordon SC began his closing speech to the jurors by telling them they had witnessed “vitriol” and “serial lying” during this trial.

His client, Nikita Hand, claims she was raped by Mr McGregor in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel.

She is also suing his friend, James Lawrence, claiming he also raped her.

Both men deny the allegations, claiming they had consensual sex with her.

Mr Gordon accused Conor McGregor of changing his story in the witness box, and suggested to the jurors that they were being “sold a pup” by an arrogant man.

He described Mr McGregor’s testimony as “distasteful and dishonest,” and accused him and Mr Lawrence of being “in collusion throughout".

He said that if Mr McGregor was a man at all, he should have apologised to his client for what he did to her, but, he added, “he’s not a man".

He urged the jurors to vindicate and compensate his client.

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.

Split image: R, Conor McGregor, L, Nikita Hand.