The civil lawsuit against UFC star Conor McGregor reached closing arguments Tuesday in Dublin, where attorneys made their final pitches to the jury.
McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, face sexual assault accusations in a lawsuit filed by Nikita Hand, a woman who alleges the two men had sex with her without her consent while she was intoxicated in December 2018.
Hand alleges the incident took place in a hotel after a long night of partying. While criminal charges weren’t fully pursued, Hand filed a civil lawsuit in early 2021.
The trial is expected to resume Wednesday. The judge initially told jurors to expect it to take about two weeks. Wednesday will mark Day 9 of the proceedings.
Conor McGregor finishes testifying
Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor arrives at court, on the day he attends a civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Ireland November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
McGregor’s time on the stand was split across two days, according to numerous reports, including from the Irish Mirror. McGregor has denied the allegations from the start, including a passionate verbal denial during his first day on the stand last Wednesday, during which McGregor called the allegations “lies” and said the situation has instilled fear in him.
On Thursday, McGregor returned to the stand and was cross-examined by Hand attorney John Gordon. McGregor admitted to cocaine use during the hours around the alleged the incident but reaffirmed sex with Hand was consensual and not pre-planned, despite having booked a hotel room.
Gordon questioned McGregor about an initial statement given to Gardai, the Irish authorities, during the investigation and why the UFC star responded “no comment” to an estimated 150 questions. McGregor responded that he was “petrified” and took his lawyers’ advice.
McGregor also denied Hand’s claim that she had a tampon lodged deep inside her during intercourse. A medical worker previously testified forceps were used to remove a tampon during her visit to a local emergency room.
McGregor admitted he paid Lawrence’s legal fees for this case, something Gordon used to claim it was a coordinated effort by the two defendants to make Lawrence a “fall man.”
James Lawrence testifies
Co-defendant James Lawrence arrives at court, on the day of Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Ireland November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Last Thursday, Lawrence spoke publicly on the incident for the first time as he took the stand.
Lawrence denied cocaine use on the night of the incident and said he isn’t a drug user. He detailed how he and Danielle Kealey, Hand’s co-worker who was in the connecting room during the alleged incident, had sex multiple times in one room while he could hear Hand moaning in the other room.
Lawrence added that he could see Hand on top of McGregor through an open door and that there did not appear to be any distress. Lawrence also added Hand entered the room as he and Kealey were getting intimate and cracked a joke toward the two of them.
Lawrence admitted to then having sex with Hand twice, something Hand stated she has no memory of and only found out through local authorities’ investigation. Lawrence claims Hand initiated the intimacy, trying “14, 15 times” to make a move toward him.
According to the Irish Mirror, surveillance footage shows the two in the hotel and elevator displaying public signs of affection. Hand claims she was intoxicated while this was going on and was taken advantage of.
Lawrence said sex with Hand was consensual, and she did not seem distressed, outside of a brief vocal realization that she had betrayed her boyfriend. He said he noticed bruising on Hand, though it was not from him. Lawrence said he and Hand ordered food before he paid for her ride home.
During cross-examination, Lawrence confirmed he was the one to come forth and tell police about his alleged sexual encounter with Hand. This came a couple days after McGregor had given his statement to police.
Closing arguments
Nikita Hand arrives at court, on the day she attends Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Ireland November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Both attorneys had an opportunity to persuade the jury one last time during their closing arguments.
McGregor’s attorney, Remy Farrell, went first and asked the jury to make a decision based on the evidence, not on their personal opinions of McGregor. Farrell repeatedly pointed to Hand’s spotty memory of the events and brought up testimony from Kealey that she had not noticed anything irregular. Farrell also brought up the surveillance footage as contradicting her account of her interactions with Lawrence.
Next, Lawrence attorney John Fitzgerald made his final pitch. He pointed to Lawrence’s “relative obscurity” and disinterest in being in the spotlight. Fitzgerald echoed Lawrence’s denial of being a “fall man” and brought up Kealey and the surveillance footage, as well.
Finally, Hand’s attorney, Gordon, returned and reiterated his client’s allegations that she was forcefully raped. Gordon brought up testimony from medical professionals including paramedic Eithne Scully, who indicated the scene on the ambulance with Hand after the incident was one of the worst she’s ever been on.
Gordon pointed to Dr. Ann Leader’s testimony that Hand suffers from PTSD as a result of the incident. Gordon also brought up the bruising present on Hand and the tampon that was lodged inside her vagina.
Gordon called McGregor a “liar” and said the UFC star and Lawrence made a team effort to have Lawrence take the fall.
Gordon broke down the types of damages his client seeks (general, special, aggravated, and punitive) for the incident and her inability to work due to mental health reasons.
In the statement of claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand seeks damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of homes, and medical expenses.
The civil trial will resume Wednesday in Dublin.