Supreme Court rejects Conor McGregor’s appeal bid, Nikita Hand welcomes decision

By Bairbre Holmes and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Nikita Hand said “the Irish civil justice system has allowed my voice to be heard” after the Supreme Court refused to hear appeals from Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, in relation to her civil case against them.

Last year, Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, successfully sued the mixed martial arts fighter in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have “brutally raped and battered” her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.

Ms Hand was awarded almost €250,000 in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about €1.3 million in legal costs.

The same jury did not find Mr Lawrence had assaulted Ms Hand at the hotel, but the trial judge decided that Ms Hand would not have to pay his costs.

Mr McGregor’s application to the Supreme Court was in relation to his cross-examination, during the trial, about “no comment” answers he gave during a Garda interview.

In their determination on Thursday, the Supreme Court judges said they were “satisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing” and refused him leave to appeal.

Mr Lawrence was attempting to appeal the decision not to award costs, but the court also denied his appeal, saying the lower court had applied “well-established principles in relation to costs”.

In a statement issued via her solicitors, Coleman Legal, Ms Hand said: “The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have travelled have been long and painful.

“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.”

She described the decision as a “victory for the justice system” and thanked the medics who treated her, her legal team and the advocates who “work tirelessly for the healing of victims”.

Ms Hand added: “I say to all of us who have made or are about to make this difficult journey towards justice; Our voice is the most powerful thing we have, don’t be afraid to use it!”

One of the groups Ms Hand thanked in her statement was Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

The organisation’s chief executive Rachel Morrogh said in a statement: “We are proud to have supported her on this journey and send her our best wishes for continued health and healing as she rebuilds her life with her family and friends.

“We hope that other survivors take courage and hope from Nikita’s case.”