Former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor has begun an appeal against the finding of a civil rape case. In 2024 a woman who accused him of raping her won her claim against him for damages. A jury foundMcGregor sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. He was ordered to pay her more than €248,000 (£206,000) in damages. The Republic of Ireland's Court of Appeal was told on Tuesday morning that McGregor had withdrawn an application to have new evidence entered at the appeal. The proposed evidence was from a couple, Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, who are former neighbours of Nikita Hand. A previous preliminary hearing was told that they claimed to have witnessed a row between Ms Hand and her former partner Stephen Redmond in December 2018. The court heard McGregor believed the new evidence suggested that bruising on Nikita Hand's body could have been caused by her former partner. In an affidavit, Ms Hand had described the allegations are untrue and lies. He said she had responded to the suggested new evidence by saying it was "all lies" and that had now been conceded. He also said McGregor should be referred for "subornation of perjury", meaning inducing people to commit perjury. The barrister said an affidavit had been sworn calling Ms Hand and her then partner a liar. McGregor has also abandoned an application to introduce new evidence from the former state pathologist for Northern Ireland Prof Jack Crane. The remainder of the appeal, before three Appeal Court judges, is now underway. Ms Hand is at the hearing along with family and friends.
Conor McGregor's appeal against civil rape case ruling begins
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"Conor McGregor Appeals Ruling in Civil Rape Case"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Conor McGregor, the former MMA champion, has initiated an appeal against a civil ruling that found him liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. In 2024, a jury awarded Ms. Hand over €248,000 (£206,000) in damages after she successfully brought her claim against McGregor. During the appeal proceedings at the Republic of Ireland's Court of Appeal, it was revealed that McGregor had decided to withdraw an application to introduce new evidence from former neighbors of Ms. Hand. This evidence purportedly suggested that bruising observed on Ms. Hand's body might have been caused by an altercation with her former partner, Stephen Redmond, rather than by McGregor. The court was informed that Ms. Hand had dismissed these allegations as untrue, asserting that they were fabrications. McGregor's legal team claimed that this new evidence warranted consideration, but the court proceedings continued without it as he abandoned this line of argument.
In addition to withdrawing the application for the neighbor's testimony, McGregor also opted not to present evidence from a former state pathologist, Professor Jack Crane. The appeal is currently being examined by three judges in the Court of Appeal, where Ms. Hand is present alongside family and supporters. McGregor's barrister has raised concerns regarding potential subornation of perjury, indicating that there are allegations of inducing witnesses to lie. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for McGregor, as it seeks to challenge a substantial jury decision that has already been rendered against him. The ongoing proceedings are closely watched, reflecting the high-profile nature of McGregor's legal battles and the serious allegations he faces.
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