Conor McGregor’s rape accuser reveals why she KNEW she would win civil sexual assault case – as UFC star fires off furious tirade branding her a ‘vicious liar’

Sex abuse victim Nikita Hand said yesterday she expected to win her civil suit against MMA fighter Conor McGregor because she told the truth ‘from day one’.

In an exclusive interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday, Mrs Hand said the outcome means her young daughter will not have to grow up in a world where she has to ‘shut her mouth and say nothing’.

When asked how she was feeling the day after her marathon trial – which attracted global media attention – she admitted: “I’m just exhausted, to be honest, I’m just really tired,” adding that she’s “just trying to be friendly to now take it day by day’.

The 35-year-old hair colorist said she was inundated with supportive calls, texts, emails and messages after a civil jury awarded her damages against McGregor.

‘I’m just also very overwhelmed by the support I’ve received now.’

When asked if she expected to win the case, she replied: “To win? Yes, yes, yes. Yes, because my story is true. I always believed in my heart that I would [win].’

Referring to the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to proceed with a criminal trial, she added: “Obviously that didn’t work out with the DPP, but yes, I always felt that I was going to win because I told the truth from day one, you know.”

McGregor indicated yesterday that he plans to appeal the decision.

McGregor and his partner Dea Devlin arrive at the High Court in Dublin for the personal injury case against him

In response to media reports of Ms Hand’s comments outside court on Friday when she declared that “justice has been served”, McGregor wrote on X: “Justice has been served for James Lawrence, yes!” With regard to his co-suspect, who was acquitted of assault. ‘Nikita Hand, you vile liar! APPEAL!’

In another post he wrote: ‘A man falsely accused of rape and lost.’

Yesterday he continued to post in inflammatory language: “This is not a court of hard evidence and truth. It is a kangaroo court of opinions and feelings. We’re not done yet. Not by a long shot. No chance. We fight!

‘Justice and truth will prevail! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal! As well as others. Congratulations James! Onwards and upwards!’

Mr Lawrence also posted online: ‘She is now fully liable for all my legal fees and I am going to press charges [her] for damage.’

Ms Hand said yesterday she did not want to discuss McGregor in depth, or speculation that the DPP could pursue a criminal case if new evidence emerges.

“Let’s let the dust settle and get my bearings because I just got the verdict and I’m very overwhelmed. It’s a lot to take in.

“The letters and emails and everything I’ve received, it’s so overwhelming.”

McGregor in The True History of the Kelly Gang. The jury in the High Court civil case found that the actor sexually assaulted Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin and mother Margaret outside the High Court in Dublin, November 22, 2024

Speaking about the impact of the case on her daughter Freya and other girls and young women, Mrs Hand said: ‘Well, look… at least they can grow up in the world now that you don’t have to be silent and say nothing.’

The jury in the High Court civil case found McGregor sexually assaulted Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018, after a three-week trial that attracted widespread attention.

The jury awarded general damages of €60,000, damages for loss of earnings of €135,026, agreed medical expenses of €4,557.64 and loss of future earnings of €50,000.

The special damages awarded totaled €188,603.60. No aggravated or exemplary damages were awarded.

The total damages awarded amounted to €248,603.60.

Taoiseach Simon Harris also spoke to Ms Hand by telephone yesterday.

He told reporters yesterday: ‘I wanted to thank her for her incredible bravery, her bravery. “I wanted to make sure she knew how much solidarity and support there was across the country for her bravery.”

Asked whether the DPP should review the case, Mr Harris said that in general it is always open to the Director of Public Prosecutions “to review a decision, to consider any new information that comes to light in to take into consideration’.

Ms Hand speaks to the media outside Dublin High Court. Justice Secretary Helen McEntee also praised Ms Hand for her “courage and determination” after winning her civil case

Justice Secretary Helen McEntee also praised Ms Hand for her “courage and determination” after winning her civil case.

“I just want to commend Nikita for her courage, for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been, I have no doubt, a very, very difficult time for her and indeed for her family,” the minister said . said yesterday.

Ms McEntee added: ‘Thanks to wonderful people like Nikita, I hope this shows there is light at the end of the tunnel, there is support available for people and ultimately there is justice.’

In a statement outside court on Friday, Ms Hand said she hoped her case would remind victims of abuse to “continue to strive for justice”.

During the case, Ms Hand said she was ‘disappointed and angry’ when the DPP decided not to prosecute the case after she complained to gardaí.

In a letter sent to Ms Hand in August 2020, the DPP said there was ‘insufficient evidence’ and there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. Ms Hand asked the DPP to review the decision, saying she felt she was treated differently because one of the suspects was famous.

Asked about the DPP’s decision not to prosecute, Ms McEntee said: ‘We have a very independent system in this country, and I think that’s right.

“Our DPP is independent in the decisions that are made, and for good reason that there should never be any political interference in that process.

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin leave the Supreme Court

“There is always an opportunity for an individual to ask for reasons as to why the DPP has made a particular decision, and that is open to any individual or case, but I have, since I have been Minister, prioritized and enabled a new office within the DPP specifically focusing on sexual offenses will be opened so that this issue can be given the focus and priority it needs.

“But… it is independent, and I think it’s very important that we respect that independence.”

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith also applauded Ms Hand for her courage, but questioned the DPP’s decision not to prosecute.

She said on

The standard of proof in a criminal case is higher than in a civil case as jurors must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt before convicting. In a civil case, this standard is lower and a judgment can be made on the balance of probabilities.

The jury in the McGregor trial was told that the balance of probability meant that they had to decide whether something was more likely to be true than not.

Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Center, said yesterday: ‘When a criminal case falls through, as in the case of Nikita… it can be devastating for victims and survivors seeking justice.’

She told the MoS: “With the high burden of proof in criminal cases, there may be a number of reasons for deciding not to prosecute. Victims can request these reasons and also appeal the decision. Nikita’s civil action illustrates that this can be another avenue open to victims and survivors of sexual violence in the pursuit of justice. .

“Many people do not want to pursue legal avenues after a sexual assault or rape and this is completely valid if it is good for them.”

Ms Morrogh said the Dublin Rape Crisis Center “stands with Nikita Hand and all other victims and survivors of sexual violence”.

She noted that during the first ten days of the survey, calls to the National Rape Crisis Helpline increased by almost 20%, with the number of new callers increasing by 50% compared to the same period last year.