Conor McGregor swallowed air and held his mother’s hand as a jury of eight women and four men prepared to deliver their verdict in his rape trial on Friday.
The MMA fighter paused and repeated “calm, calm” as the jury returned after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberations to find him responsible for assault.
As the High Court in Dublin fell silent, McGregor’s heavy breathing could be heard in the moments before the decision as his mother held his hand.
His partner, Dee Devlin, stroked his arm to calm him as the jury condensed two weeks of hearings into their final verdict.
Nikita Hand had alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her on December 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, the court heard.
McGregor shook his head and buried it in his hands as the jury found McGregor liable and awarded Hand almost €250,000.
Hand separately lost his lawsuit against McGregor’s friend James Lawrence.
Outside court on Friday afternoon, she described the two weeks as a “nightmare” but said she felt vindicated.
McGregor and his partner, Dee Devlin, outside the High Court in Dublin following Friday’s verdict.
The jury found McGregor guilty of assault and awarded Hand almost 250,000 euros
Nikita Hand speaks to the media outside the High Court in Dublin after the verdict was given.
Hand separately lost his lawsuit against McGregor’s friend James Lawrence (pictured on Friday)
McGregor arrived at court on Friday in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce with his partner, Dee.
They were joined by members of McGregor’s family and a supportive entourage, including boxing coach Phil Sutcliffe.
McGregor was wearing a navy blue suit with a green tie and white shirt, with a small handkerchief sticking out of his jacket pocket.
It was a long day for everyone involved. The jury retired after 10 a.m. and issued its decision shortly before 5 p.m. on Friday.
Before the verdict, Judge Owens had reminded the jury on Thursday of their responsibilities.
He pointed out the legal principles, including the standard of proof, which is the balance of probabilities in such a civil case.
He also reminded them of the various harms to consider and told them to “use common sense” when making a decision.
The jury retired to the jury room to review an issue paper with two questions on which to render a verdict.
The first asked clearly: ‘Did Mr McGregor assault Ms Hand?’
The second followed: “Did Mr. Lawrence assault Mrs. Hand?”
An affirmative answer to either question prompted them to decide what damages to award to Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin.
In the courtroom, Hand took her seat, followed by McGregor and her group.
His mother tried to calm him when he started crying and his father joined him.
Judge Owens returned and warned the court against any agitation.
The jury returned and Judge Owens asked if they had a verdict.
Hand feels comforted by the decision after two weeks of hearings in Dublin
Hand speaks to the media outside Dublin High Court after personal injury case
After deliberating for six hours and 10 minutes, the jury returned with its verdict on Friday.
Nikita Hand alleged she was raped by McGregor in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
Judge Owens asked the jury to keep their feet “firmly on the ground” ahead of the verdict.
McGregor watched as they said yes and issued his decision.
He slumped forward with his head in his hands as the verdict was given.
They found that McGregor assaulted Hand and awarded him €248,603.60 (£206,621.91).
Hand cried and was hugged by her partner and supporters as the jury left, after concluding two weeks of intense deliberation about the events of December 9, 2018.
They had heard how McGregor and Lawrence sexually assaulted Hand in a Dublin hotel room after a Christmas party.
Hand recalled how he contacted McGregor after a night of partying and continued until the next morning.
She said they took them to a party in a Beacon Hotel penthouse and consumed alcohol and drugs together, picking up Lawrence along the way.
The plaintiff claims that McGregor strangled and violently raped her sometime between 12:30 pm and 6 pm that day.
McGregor told the court he had had consensual sex with Hand, but denied allegations that he assaulted or bruised her.
Lawyer Remy Farrell FC argued that Hand had shown “selective amnesia and memory loss” when recounting separate events.
He pointed to CCTV footage which he said showed Hand “happy, happy, happy” after the incident.
And she said the footage showed Hand doing a ‘victory dance’ after sending her boyfriend a text message that did not say she was at the hotel.
“Then, bang, as soon as she knows she has to come home and face the situation, that’s when the accusations start,” he added.
He acknowledged that the jury might even “hate” McGregor, but urged them to set aside any “negative opinions” and consider only the evidence before the verdict.
The court also heard from witnesses, including a paramedic who examined Hand and said he had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time.
Advanced paramedic Eithne Scully said Nikita Hand was “very upset and distressed” and was “huddled up” when she spoke to her the following day.
The court heard Scully and another paramedic took Hand to the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda hospital.
He said Hand’s main concern was that a tampon had been “pushed up too far” and that she was in pain.
He added that he could see a small cut on the chin and there appeared to be some bruising on the lower part of the neck.
During an examination, he saw bruising around the chest, breasts, legs, as well as around the buttocks and thighs.
The court also heard from Hand’s GP, Dr Frank Clarke, who said he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
He said he had been treating Hand since she was a child, and that she had a history of anxiety and struggled with her confidence, and that she had previously been prescribed a low dose of medication to help her.
He said that after her PTSD diagnosis, she was prescribed stronger medications, which he said helped her deal with spikes in her emotional pain.
After reviewing two weeks of evidence investigating the events of Dec. 9, 2018, the jury found that McGregor assaulted Hand.
Conor McGregor and his partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the verdict
McGregor was silent as he left on Friday, but later said he would appeal in a now-deleted post.
Conor McGregor and his partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin on Friday afternoon.
Outside court, Hand described the two-week trial as a “nightmare” but said she felt vindicated.
She said she hoped her case would remind assault victims to continue “fighting for justice” and show her daughter, Freya, “that you can defend yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served.” . served’.
She said: “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you are: speak up, have a voice and keep fighting for justice.”
‘I know that this has greatly impacted not only my life, but also that of my daughter, my family and my friends. “It’s something I will never forget for the rest of my life.”
McGregor remained silent as he walked off the court with his partner.
Breaking his silence in a now-deleted post, McGregor said: “I will appeal yesterday’s decision.”
‘The judge’s instruction and the modest compensation awarded was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.
‘I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence reviewed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Now I am with my family, focused on my future. Thanks to all my support around the world.’