MMA fighter McGregor assaulted woman in 2018: Jury

DUBLIN: A jury on Friday demanded Conor McGregor to pay 250,000 euros ($259,950) in damages to the victim, after it reached the verdict that the mixed martial arts (MMA) star assaulted a woman in Dublin, Ireland, in 2018.

The decision was reached by the jury, comprising eight women and four men, after hours-long deliberation in the civil trial at Ireland's high court.

The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, alleged that Irish fighter McGregor sexually assaulted her at a party on December 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, the court heard during two weeks of evidence.

The jury found that Lawrence did not assault Hand. McGregor left the court through a large scrum of reporters without commenting and later posted on X that he planned to appeal the decision.

McGregor, 36, denied the allegation and said he had "fully consensual sex" with Hand. He also denied causing bruising to the plaintiff.

Hand's lawyer told the jury that when she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the day after the alleged assault, a doctor was so concerned that he directed that photographs be taken of her injuries.

Hand said that she and a friend made contact with McGregor, who she knew, after a work Christmas party. She said they were driven by McGregor to a party in a penthouse room of a south Dublin hotel where drugs and alcohol were consumed.

She said McGregor took her into a bedroom in the penthouse and sexually assaulted her.

Speaking outside the court, Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received and that she felt vindicated.

"To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice," she said.