Conor McGregor is currently facing a civil lawsuit in Dublin High Court regarding rape allegations made by Nikita Hand, a former hair colourist from Dublin. The case stems from an incident on a Christmas night out in December 2018, with the Director of Public Prosecutions previously declining to press criminal charges.
During court proceedings, McGregor admitted to having cocaine in his car with the alleged victim and another witness. He claimed the sexual encounters with Hand were consensual, denying all allegations of rape. In his initial police interview in January 2019, McGregor answered “no comment” to over 100 questions, stating he did so on his lawyer’s advice due to being in a state of “shock and fear”.
Hand alleges that McGregor placed her in a choke hold and choked her three times before sexually assaulting her. A paramedic who examined her the day after the alleged incident testified that she had never seen such extensive bruising on a patient before.
McGregor’s co-defendant, James Lawrence, also testified. He claimed to have had consensual sexual encounters with Hand twice in the hotel room when McGregor was absent. Lawrence stated that Hand was flirtatious and initiated their sexual interactions, and was only upset about a small bruise and how to explain it to her boyfriend.
However, Hand maintains she has no memory of sexual encounters with Lawrence and only remembers telling him she had been raped by McGregor. She is seeking financial damages for distress and loss of earnings.
During cross-examination, McGregor insisted the allegations were false. When questioned about Hand’s potential fear or distress, he claimed there were “no signs of distress, fear, anything other than enjoyment, elations and excitement.”
A notable detail emerged during testimony regarding Hand’s medical examination, where forceps were used to remove a tampon that had become wedged inside her. McGregor claimed Hand was not wearing a tampon during their alleged sexual encounter and suggested it was not inserted by him.
McGregor also admitted to potentially paying Lawrence’s legal fees and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. Lawrence denied being a “fall guy” for McGregor, emphasizing that he has six sisters and nieces and would not defend such actions if they had occurred.
As this is a civil action in the Republic of Ireland, both the complainant and the accused do not have automatic anonymity during court proceedings. The trial continues, with both parties presenting conflicting accounts of the events of that night.
The case has drawn significant public attention, given McGregor’s high-profile status as a mixed martial arts fighter, and the serious nature of the allegations.
