This report contains details of a sexual nature that some readers may find distressing.
Nikita Hand has won her lawsuit against MMA fighter Conor McGregor over an alleged rape in Dublin in 2018.
This has been a difficult trial for Ms Hand; seated on a bench in front of Conor McGregor throughout, she appeared to be in some distress before she was called to give her evidence from the witness box.
She broke down on a number of occasions, often requesting comfort breaks, as she relived what she described as a brutal rape at the hands of McGregor.
? BREAKING ? Nikita Hand has WON her case against Conor McGregor.
She sued the MMA fighter for damages, claiming he raped her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.
She didn't win her case against the second named defendant, McGregor's friend, James Lawrence.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) November 22, 2024
She told the jury he pinned her on a bed in the penthouse suite after she rejected his sexual advances.
She got very upset when she recounted how he choked her three times before raping her.
“He was not taking no for an answer, “ she said.
“And the more I struggled, the more he liked it."
He denied it, claiming they had “fully consensual sex,” but the jury rejected his version of events.
Ms Hand also sued McGregor’s friend, James Lawrence of Rafter’s Road in Drimnagh, for allegedly raping her after McGregor left the hotel, but the jury didn’t find in her favour in relation to him.
'I want to show Freya, 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'
Nikita Hand speaking after winning her case against Conor McGregor pic.twitter.com/ZgLP5EjGPe
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) November 22, 2024
Afterwards, Ms Hand said the trial had been a "nightmare" but she would "never forget" the support she had received from her friends and family.
"Now that justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family and friends and daughter," she said.
In a post on X, McGregor said that he planned to appeal the verdict.
"The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages," he said.
"I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed.
"I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide."
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 shows a split of Conor McGregor and Nikita Hand. Pictures by RollingNews.ie.
