Conor McGregor loses appeal in civil rape case

Conor McGregor has lost his appeal against a High Court jury finding that he raped Nikita Hand.

Hand took a civil action case against McGregor for damages for violently beating and raping her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

Following a High Court trial in Dublin in November 2024, the jury found that McGregor had raped Hand and ordered him to pay her almost €250,000 in damages.

McGregor appealed the verdict, with his barrister arguing that his client's answers in garda interviews should not have been put before the jury. Additionally, he argued the issue paper given to the jury should have been worded differently, as it asked jury members to deliberate on an "assault" rather than a "sexual assault."

The former MMA fighter did not appear for proceedings at the Court of Appeal this afternoon, though Hand was present.

McGregor intended to introduce fresh evidence for his appeal in the form of affidavits from two former neighbours of Hand, claiming that it would give an alternative explanation for Hand's injuries.

The court has said it intends to refer this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Hand denied allegations made in the affidavits, characterising the reports as "lies." At the start of today's hearing, Hand's counsel contended that McGregor was "conceding" that fact, and evidence was withdrawn.

Judge Brian O'Moore announced there was "no fresh argument made" and the court would decide its ruling based on McGregor’s previous grounds of appeal.

In their verdict, senior judges in the court rejected all grounds of appeal from McGregor and dismissed it in its entirety.

The court also refused to award costs to McGregor's friend James Lawrence, citing that evidence he provided in support of McGregor was "untruthful" and his costs were paid by McGregor.

Outside of the court, Hand reportedly said the appeal "retraumatised" her.

"Being forced to relive it - what happened - has had a huge impact on me," Hand said.

"To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please don't be silenced. You deserve to be heard, you also deserve justice."

Hand added that she is "deeply grateful to everyone who believed in me" during the "long and painful journey."

"Today, I can finally move on and try to heal," Hand said.