Nikita Hand sobs in message to young daughter after winning rape civil action against Conor McGregor

A woman who prevailed in her civil lawsuit for rape against UFC boxer Conor McGregor broke down in tears as she described how her small daughter gave her the willpower to pursue the case.

After winning her suit against McGregor for damages in a High Court civil action, 35-year-old Nikita Hand also paid tribute to her mother, her partner Gary, and the Rape Crisis Center.

In December 2018, McGregor was accused of “brutally raped and battered” Nikita Hand in a hotel in south Dublin.

The Irish athlete previously testified in court that he and Ms. Hand had consensual sex in a suite at the Beacon Hotel.

Ms. Hand, whose real name is Nikita Ni Laimhin, lost her case against James Lawrence, a guy she said had assaulted her by having intercourse with her at the same hotel without her consent.

Nikita, 35, a mother of one, received a damages award of about $250,000.

And she sobbed as she thanked everyone who had helped her in a statement she gave to the reporters gathered outside the High Court.

She stated: “I want to begin by expressing how touched and overwhelmed I am by everyone’s support.

“I want to start by thanking my three barristers, John Gordon, Ray Boland, and Sean, as well as the legal staff. They have been outstanding from beginning to end.

“I would want to express my gratitude to Mr. Justice Alexander Owens, the entire jury, and every witness.

“I would want to express my gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at the Rotunda Hospital’s Sexual Assault Unit for taking care of me, especially my own physician, Frank Clarke.

“I want to express my gratitude to Cliona and the Rape Crisis Centre for supporting me during this whole time. I would like to thank the EMS personnel and all of the guards.

“I want to express my gratitude to all the men and women who have helped me along the way. I appreciate every single person who has contacted me—whether it be by email, letter, card, or anything else—because it hasn’t gone ignored. I am truly grateful for it.

I would like to express my gratitude to Gary, my boyfriend, who has been there for me every day and every other day for the past four years.

“I want to thank my mam and all my family and friends.”

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my daughter Freya, for whom I am most thankful,” she continued. Over the past six years, she has given me the bravery and strength to continue fighting for justice in spite of this horror.

“I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served.”

The jury, which consisted of eight women and four men, deliberated for six hours and ten minutes before coming with its judgment after eight days of testimony, three days of hearing closing arguments, and the judge’s charge.

When the jury announced that Ms. Hand had won her case against him, McGregor shook his head.

Mr. McGregor was accompanied by his parents, sister, brother-in-law, and partner, Dee Devlin.

He was seated between his mother, Margaret, and his partner in the back row of the court.

Ms. Hand sobbed as her supporters and partner embraced her.

Justice Alexander Owens urged everyone in the courtroom to maintain composure just before the jury returned to the room to deliver the verdict.

As she waited for the jury to return, Nikita Hand fought back tears and received consolation from her partner.

As the judge entered the courtroom, McGregor’s heavy, loud breathing could be heard.

“I understand the jury has a verdict,” stated Justice Owens.

“I want everyone to keep their composure. No scenes, please. Anyone who causes a commotion will end up behind bars.

Additionally, he requested that a few individuals at the rear of the courtroom relocate to the public gallery.

CASE EVIDENCE

The case, which began on November 5, had previously heard that following their work Christmas party on the day of the attack, Ms. Hand and her coworker Danielle Kealy proceeded to the penthouse suite with McGregor and Mr. Lawrence.

They provided proof that they had been drinking heavily and doing cocaine while partying all night from December 8 till the morning of December 9.

Ms. Hand described to the court how McGregor had attacked her after pinning her to the bed in the hotel bedroom.

When the MMA star began “choking” her young daughter, Ms. Hand testified in court that she believed she would never see her again.

She “froze and couldn’t move or breathe” during the attack, the court heard.

She claimed that she had attempted to move away from him by holding up both hands, but that the more she struggled, the more he seemed to enjoy it.

“My head was the only thing I could move,” she added. I can’t recall where I bit him. He flipped me around, wrapped his arm around my neck, and choked me because he didn’t like it.

Ms. Hand said that Mr. McGregor had put her in a “chokehold” and left her with numerous bruises and abrasions over her body, including purple and blue bruising along her hands and wrists, a bleeding scratch on her breast, and soreness on her neck.

According to Mr. McGregor, she may have “swan dived” into the hotel room’s bathtub, which is why she sustained the bruises all over her body.

The court was informed that Ms. Hand had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and that she had sustained severe bodily and psychological impairments as a result of McGregor’s attack.

The next day, Ms. Hand was transported by ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital, where she was evaluated in the treatment unit for sexual assault.

The day following the assault, Ms. Hand was evaluated by a paramedic who told the court that she had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time.

A tampon that Ms. Hand had been wearing the night she was attacked had also caused her anxiety.

Dr. Daniel Kane, a gynecologist and forensic examiner in cases of sexual assault, described how he had to remove the tampon that had been “wedged inside” using forceps.

TEARFUL EVIDENCE

As she testified for nearly three days, Ms. Hand broke down multiple times and took several pauses.

The jury had been informed that Ms. Hand’s relationship with her boyfriend terminated months after the incident, she had to move out of her Drimnagh house, she had to quit her job as a hairdresser and has not been able to work since because of her mental health, and her mortgage is currently past due.

She added that because she could no longer afford the sessions, she had to quit visiting a counselor.

Additionally, the court was informed that she had spent over $4,000 on the services of a GP, a pharmacy, and a psychotherapist.