It has emerged that the mother of the woman who won a civil sexual assault case against Conor McGregor began legal action against the UFC fighter and his co-defendant on the same day her daughter’s case was filed.
Nikita Hand, 35, launched civil action against McGregor alleging he “raped and brutally beat” her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
On Friday, she was awarded €250,000 after a civil court jury found that McGregor had sexually assaulted her.
Hand lost a second, separate lawsuit against McGregor’s friend James Lawrence, whom she also accused of assaulting her that same night.
It has now been reported that her mother, Deborah Ní Laimhin, filed a civil lawsuit against McGregor and Lawrence on January 18, 2021, the same day her daughter filed a lawsuit against the two men almost four years ago.
But the case has not progressed, Sunday World reports, and it is unclear whether Ms Ní Laimhin’s civil action will go ahead, with no trial date scheduled.
The nature of the civil complaint is unclear and Ms Ní Laimhin’s lawyers have reportedly declined to comment on the matter.
The court heard evidence that Ms Hand went to her mother’s house on the morning of December 10 to seek help after the tampon she had been using during McGregor’s assault became stuck inside her.
Nikita Hand (centre), also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, leaves the High Court in Dublin following the personal injury case against Conor McGregor.
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and his partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin following the personal injury case against them.
Seeing her daughter, Ní Laimhin called both the guard and paramedics, and Hand was taken to the Rotunda Hospital in an ambulance accompanied by her mother, the court was told.
Eithne Scully, an advanced paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade with more than 16 years’ experience, told the court: “I haven’t seen anyone so bruised in all my time.”
Dr Daniel Kane, the gynecologist who assessed her at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, told the court that her tampon had gotten stuck in the upper part of her cervix and had to be removed with tweezers.
He added that Ms Hand had suffered extensive bruising all over her body, of moderate to severe level, which is only seen in 10 per cent of his patients.
Dr Ann Leader, a psychiatrist who told the court she had seen more than 5,000 cases of alleged sexual abuse, said that after the attack Ms Hand showed classic symptoms of someone who had been traumatized and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, including suicidal feelings. panic attacks, flashbacks, depression and anxiety.
Finally, Hand made a lengthy statement to Gardai in January 2019.
talking to Sunday weather After the verdict was announced on Friday, Mrs Ní Laimhin said her daughter would be “scarred” by her ordeal.
“It will always be there, it will always be with her,” he said. “But we will try to move forward the best way we can.”
Deborah Ní Laimhin said her daughter would be ‘scarred’ by her ordeal
She added that the verdict was “still sinking in” but that she was relieved and “got the result she deserved.”
In an emotional statement to the court on Friday, Hand thanked her mother and said she had been “overwhelmed” by the support she had received.
‘I want to thank my mom and all my family and friends. Lastly, I want to thank my daughter Freya, for whom I am very grateful.
“She has given me a lot of strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to continue fighting for justice.”
Hand lost a second, separate lawsuit against McGregor’s friend James Lawrence, whom she also accused of assaulting her that same night.
He added that he hoped his case would encourage other victims to continue “fighting forward” in search of justice.
“I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you are, speak up, have a voice and keep fighting for justice,” she said.
‘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.
“Now that justice has been served, I can try to move forward and look to the future with my family, my friends and my daughter.”
In an emotional statement to the court on Friday, Hand thanked her mother and said she had been “overwhelmed” by the support she had received.
McGregor vowed to appeal the decision on social media, claiming not all the evidence was reviewed and saying he was “disappointed” with the decision.
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.
‘Now I am with my family, focused on my future. Thanks to all my support around the world.’