Sexual assault victim Nikita Hand said yesterday she hoped to win her civil lawsuit against MMA fighter Conor McGregor because he was telling the “truth from day one”.
In an exclusive interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday, Mrs Hand said the result means her young daughter does not have to grow up in a world where she has to “shut up and say nothing”.
When asked how she felt the day after her marathon court trial, which attracted worldwide media attention, she admitted: “I’m just exhausted, to be honest, I’m very tired,” adding: ” ‘He’s just trying to take it day by day now.’
The 35-year-old hair colorist said she was inundated with calls, texts, emails and messages of support after a civil trial jury awarded her damages against McGregor.
“I am very overwhelmed with the support I have received now.”
When asked if he expected to win the case, he responded, “Win?” Yes, yes, yes. Yes, because my story is true. I always believed in my heart that I would win.’
Referring to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)’s decision not to proceed with a criminal trial, he added: “Obviously with the DPP, that didn’t work, but yes, I always felt like I was going to win because I was telling the truth from day one. , You know?
McGregor indicated yesterday that he intends to appeal the decision.
Sexual assault victim Nikita Hand said she hoped to win her case against Conor McGregor because he was telling the “truth from day one”.
McGregor and his partner Dea Devlin arrive at the High Court in Dublin for the personal injury case against them
Responding to media reports about Ms Hand’s comments outside court on Friday when she declared that “justice has been done”, McGregor wrote on X: “Justice has been done for James Lawrence, yes!” In reference to his co-defendant, who was acquitted of assault. ‘Nikita Hand, you vicious liar! APPEAL!’
In another post, she wrote: “I falsely accused a man of rape and lost.”
Yesterday he continued posting using inflammatory language: ‘This is not a court of real, hard evidence. It is a kangaroo court of opinions and feelings. We’re not done yet. Not even close. No chance. We keep fighting!
‘Justice and truth will prevail! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal! Plus others. Congratulations Jaime! Onward and upward!’
Lawrence also posted online: “She is now fully responsible for all my legal fees and I will be suing her for damages.”
Ms Hand said yesterday that she did not want to speak in depth about McGregor, or about speculation that the Crown Prosecution Service could launch a criminal case if new evidence emerges.
‘Let the dust settle and let me get my bearings as I have just received the verdict and am very overwhelmed. There is a lot to take in.
“The letter, the emails and everything I received, it’s so overwhelming.”
McGregor in The True Story of the Kelly Gang. The jury in the High Court civil case found that the actor sexually assaulted Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018.
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, his partner Dee Devlin and his mother Margaret outside the High Court in Dublin, on November 22, 2024.
Speaking about the impact of the case on her daughter Freya and other girls and young women, Mrs Hand said: “Well, look… at least they can grow up in the world now where you don’t have to shut up and not say anything.”
The jury in the High Court civil case found that McGregor sexually assaulted Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018, after a three-week trial that attracted significant attention.
The jury awarded €60,000 in general damages, damages for loss of profits of €135,026, agreed medical expenses of €4,557.64 and future loss of profits of €50,000.
The compensation for damages awarded in total amounted to 188,603.60 euros. No aggravated damages or exemplary damages were awarded.
The total compensation awarded amounted to 248,603.60 euros.
Taoiseach Simon Harris also spoke by telephone to Ms Hand yesterday.
He told reporters yesterday: “I wanted to thank you for your incredible bravery, your courage.” “I wanted to make sure she knew how much solidarity and support there was across the country for her bravery.”
Asked whether the Public Prosecution Service should review the case again, Harris said that generally the Director of Public Prosecutions is always open to “reviewing a decision and considering any new information that may come to light.”
Ms Hand speaking to the media outside the High Court in Dublin. Justice Minister Helen McEntee also praised Hand for his “bravery and determination” after winning his civil case.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee also praised Hand for his “bravery and determination” after winning his civil case.
“I just want to congratulate Nikita for her bravery, her determination and the leadership she has shown in what has undoubtedly been a very, very difficult time for her and indeed for her family,” the minister said. he said yesterday.
Ms McEntee added: “Thanks to wonderful people like Nikita, I hope this shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there is support available for people and that at the end of the day there is justice.”
In a statement to the court on Friday, Ms Hand said she hoped her case would remind victims of assault to continue “fighting for justice”.
During the case, Ms Hand said she was “disappointed and upset” when the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute the case after she made a complaint to gardaí.
In a letter sent to Ms Hand in August 2020, the Crown Prosecution Service said there was “insufficient evidence” and no reasonable prospect of conviction. Ms Hand asked the Crown Prosecution Service to review the decision, saying she felt she was being treated differently because one of the suspects was famous.
When asked about the PDP’s decision not to prosecute, Ms McEntee said: “We have a very independent system in this country, and I think that’s right.”
‘Our PDP is independent in the decisions that are made, and for good reasons there should never be any political interference in that process.
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and his partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court
“There is always the option for an individual to request that the reasons be described as to why the PDP made a particular decision, and that is open to any individual or case, but since becoming minister, I have prioritized it and allowed A new office will be opened within the Public Ministry focused specifically on sexual crimes, so that this issue can be given the focus and priority it needs.
“But… it’s independent, and I really think it’s important that we respect that independence.”
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith also applauded Ms Hand for her bravery but questioned the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to prosecute.
He said on
The standard of proof in a criminal case is higher than in a civil case, as jurors must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt before they can convict. In a civil case, this standard is lower and a verdict can be reached based on the balance of probabilities.
The jury at McGregor’s trial was told that the balance of probabilities meant they had to decide whether something was more likely to have been true or not.
Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said yesterday: “When a criminal case does not proceed, as in Nikita’s case… it can be devastating for victims and survivors seeking justice.”
He told the Ministry of Justice: ‘Given the high burden of proof in criminal cases, there may be a number of reasons for deciding not to prosecute. Victims can request these reasons and can also appeal the decision. Nikita’s civil action illustrates that this may be another avenue open for victims and survivors of sexual violence to seek justice. .
“Many people do not want to pursue a legal path after an assault or rape and this is totally valid if it is what suits them.”
Morrogh said the Dublin Rape Crisis Center “stands with Nikita Hand and all other victims and survivors of sexual violence”.
He noted that during the first 10 days of the process, calls to the National Rape Crisis Helpline increased nearly 20%, and first-time calls increased 50% compared to the same period last year.