This report contains details of a sexual nature that some readers may find distressing.
Conor McGregor has been ordered to pay Nikita Hand’s legal costs arising from her successful lawsuit against him.
However, she wasn’t awarded the highest level of costs against him, which is what was she was looking for.
After the DPP decided not to pursue a criminal prosecution against Mr McGregor on the back of Ms Hand’s allegation that he raped her in the Beacon Hotel, Ms Hand decided to sue him for damages.
After 12 days at trial, she won her case against him; but lost her case against his friend, James Lawrence, whom she had also accused of raping her after Mr McGregor left the hotel.
Today, Ms Hand applied for an order directing McGregor to pay the entire legal bill, even the costs incurred as part of her unsuccessful legal action against Mr Lawrence.
Nikita Hand leaving the High Court in the second week of a civil action against Mr McGregor. 12/11/2024 Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ieMr McGregor’s barrister found it remarkable that she was looking for his client to pay costs towards a case she lost.
He said she should never have brought a case against Mr Lawrence if she believed he was lying about having sex with her, as claimed in her own evidence at trial.
In the end, the judge didn’t direct McGregor to pay the full legal bill.
He has directed him to pay her costs at the ordinary level, as opposed to the higher level she sought.
No order for costs was made against Mr Lawrence, which means both he and Ms Hand will have to pay their own legal bills in relation to her unsuccessful action against him.
During the civil jury trial, Ms Hand described how Mr McGregor pinned her on a bed in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel almost six years ago to the day.
She said he got her in a chokehold and raped her.
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 of Conor McGregor and Nikita Hand. November 2024. Pictures by RollingNews.ie
