Civil sex abuse trial against Conor McGregor reaches closing arguments

The civil case against UFC star Conor McGregor reached closing arguments in Dublin on Tuesday, where lawyers made their final pitches to the jury.

McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, are accused of sexual abuse in a lawsuit filed by Nikita Hand, a woman who claims the two men had sex with her without her consent while she was drunk in December 2018.

Hand claims the incident took place at a hotel after a long night of partying. Although criminal charges were not fully pursued, Hand filed a civil lawsuit in early 2021.

The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday. The judge initially told jurors it would take about two weeks. Wednesday is day 9 of the procedure.

Conor McGregor is done testifying

Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor arrives at court on the day he attends a civil trial on sexual assault allegations in Dublin, Ireland, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

According to numerous reports, including from the Irish Mirror, McGregor’s time on the stand was spread over two days. McGregor has denied the allegations from the start, including an impassioned verbal denial during his first day in the stands last Wednesday, in which McGregor called the allegations “lies” and said the situation has left him terrified.

On Thursday, McGregor returned to the stand and was questioned by Hand attorney John Gordon. McGregor admitted to using cocaine during the hours surrounding the alleged incident, but reaffirmed that sex with Hand was consensual and not pre-planned, despite having booked a hotel room.

Gordon questioned McGregor about an initial statement he made to Irish gardai during the investigation and why the UFC star responded “no comment” to an estimated 150 questions. McGregor responded that he was “petrified” and followed the advice of his lawyers.

McGregor also denied Hand’s claim that a tampon was lodged deep inside her during intercourse. A medical worker previously testified that during her visit to the local emergency room, tweezers were used to remove a tampon.

McGregor admitted to paying Lawrence’s legal fees for the case, something Gordon always claimed was a coordinated attempt 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 sexual assault charges in Dublin, Ireland, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Last Thursday, Lawrence spoke publicly about the incident for the first time when he took the stand.

Lawrence denied using cocaine the night of the incident and said he is not a drug user. He explained how he and Danielle Kealey, Hand’s colleague who was in the adjoining room during the alleged incident, had sex several 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 discomfort. Lawrence also added that Hand entered the room when he and Kealey were getting intimate and made a joke to the two of them.

Lawrence admitted that she subsequently had sex with Hand twice, something Hand stated she has no memory of and only discovered through investigation by local authorities. Lawrence claims Hand initiated the intimacy and tried to make a move toward him “14, 15 times.”

According to the Irish Mirror, CCTV footage shows the two making public signs of affection in the hotel and lift. Hand claims she was drunk while this was going on and was taken advantage of.

Lawrence said sex with Hand was consensual, and that she did not appear distressed other than a brief verbal realization that she had betrayed her boyfriend. He said he noticed bruises on Hand, even though it wasn’t his. Lawrence said he and Hand ordered food before he paid her fare home.

During cross-examination, Lawrence confirmed that he was the one who came forward and told police about his alleged sexual encounter with Hand. This came a few days after McGregor made his statement to police.

Closing arguments

Nikita Hand arrives at court, on the day she attends the civil trial of Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor on sexual assault charges, in Dublin, Ireland, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

During their closing arguments, both lawyers had the opportunity to convince the jury one last time.

McGregor’s attorney, Remy Farrell, went first, asking the jury to make a decision based on the evidence, and not their personal opinion of McGregor. Farrell repeatedly pointed to Hand’s spotty memory of events and brought up testimony from Kealey that she had noticed nothing irregular. Farrell also brought up that the surveillance footage contradicted her account of her interactions with Lawrence.

Then 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 that he was a “fall man” and also brought up Kealey and the surveillance footage.

Finally, Hand’s attorney, Gordon, returned and repeated his client’s allegations that she had been forcibly raped. Gordon brought forward testimony from medical professionals, including paramedic Eithne Scully, who sent Hand to the ambulance after the incident was one of the worst she has ever experienced.

Gordon pointed to the testimony of Dr. Ann Leader that Hand is suffering from PTSD as a result of the incident. Gordon also brought up the bruises on Hand and the tampon that was in her vagina.

Gordon called McGregor a “liar” and said the UFC star and Lawrence made a team effort to pin the blame on Lawrence.

Gordon set out the types of damages his client is seeking (general, special, aggravated and punitive) for the incident and her inability to work for mental health reasons.

In the statement of claim, reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand is seeking damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of home and medical expenses.

The civil trial will resume in Dublin on Wednesday.