Supreme Court of Ireland denies Conor McGregor's appeal in civil sexual assault case

The Supreme Court of Ireland has turned down former UFC champion Conor McGregors attempt to pursue further appeals following a civil jury ruling that held him responsible for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018. The jury had awarded Hand nearly 250,000 in damages, a decision the Supreme Court confirmed on Thursday.

Earlier this year, McGregor had appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the jury should not have considered his statements to the police. That appeal was dismissed in July, with the court stating that his legal team failed to demonstrate a real risk of unfair trial.

Subsequently, McGregor engaged new legal counsel to present a similar appeal to the Supreme Court. On Thursday, a three-judge panel rejected the appeal, noting that although High Court Judge Alex Owens erred in permitting cross-examination about McGregors no comment responses to police, the trial was still deemed fair, and no further appeal was necessary in the interest of justice.

Hand, through her legal team, welcomed the decision. She stated, Today marks not a victory for me but for all of those who have been treated as I have. You are never alone on your journey, if you choose not to be. Help and support is there.

The court also dismissed a related appeal from James Lawrence, whom Hand had accused of assault after McGregor left the hotel. The civil jury had rejected Lawrences claim, and Judge Owens had denied his request to make Hand cover his legal fees. The Supreme Court ruled that Lawrences lawyers failed to show any compelling reason that the previous ruling was erroneous or unjust.

Author: Aiden Foster