Conor McGregor has bid to appeal civil rape case rejected by Supreme Court
Conor McGregor and James Lawrence’s bid to appeal a civil case against them has been rejected by the Supreme Court.
The UFC fighter was sued in a civil court last year over an incident in which he allegedly “brutally raped and assaulted” a woman on the rooftop of a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The woman was awarded compensation of approximately 250,000 euros (£214,994).
McGregor was also ordered to pay around 1.3 million euros (£1.1 million) in legal costs.
The same jury did not find that Mr Lawrence had assaulted the woman at the hotel, but the trial judge ruled that Ms Hand would not have to pay her costs.
Mr McGregor’s application to the High Court concerned being cross-examined at the hearing about the “no comment” answers he gave during the Garda interview.
In their decision on Thursday, Supreme Court judges rejected the appeal, saying they were “satisfied that the applicant received a fair hearing”.
Mr Lawrence was seeking to appeal the decision not to pay costs but the court also rejected his appeal, saying the lower court had applied “well-established principles relating to costs”.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision, the woman said, “The Irish civil justice system allowed my voice to be heard.”
In a statement made through their lawyer, Coleman Legal, it was said: “The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have traveled have been long and painful.
“Today is not a victory for me, but for everyone who was treated like me.
“You are never alone in 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”.
He added: “To anyone who has made or is about to make this difficult journey towards justice, I say this: Our voice is the most powerful thing we have, don’t be afraid to use it!”
One of the groups he thanked in his statement was the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
Rachel Morrogh, the organisation’s chief executive, said in a statement: “We are proud to support him on this journey and wish him all the best for continued health and recovery as he rebuilds his life with his family and friends.
“We hope other survivors also take courage and hope from Nikita’s situation.”
