Conor McGregor’s drinks brands ‘will be BOYCOTTED’ by Irish retail giant – after UFC star loses civil sexual assault case

Conor McGregor will reportedly have his drinks brands boycotted by Irish food wholesaler Musgrave after losing his civil assault case.

McGregor, 36, faced an allegation that he brutally raped and assaulted Nikita Hand, 35, in a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.

The MMA fighter previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, at the Beacon Hotel. He denied causing any bruises to the complainant.

However, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found that McGregor had indeed assaulted her and he was told he had to pay the victim €250,000 (£207,805) in damages.

McGregor subsequently vowed to appeal the decision, claiming he was ‘disappointed’ and ‘focused on my future’.

However, since the verdict, there has been a backlash towards the MMA star, with video game developer IO Interactive becoming the first sponsor to stop working with him.

The Irishman, 36, (pictured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2019) launched Proper No Twelve Irish Whiskey (pictured bottom left of bottle) in September 2018

McGregor then also launched Forged Irish Stout, which is brewed in Ireland, in July 2021

And now according to The coinIrish retail giant Musgrave has informed store operators that it is ‘removing drinks associated with McGregor’.

Musgrave is Ireland’s largest food retail company and has more than 1,000 stores across the country.

The report claims that the company provided no explanation, but simply posted a message that read: “All (McGregor’s) products will be removed.”

McGregor-approved drinks include his ‘Proper No Twelve Irish Whiskey’ and ‘Forged Irish Stout’, while he also owns the Black Forge Inn in Dublin.

The 36-year-old launched Proper No Twelve in September 2018, with McGregor naming it after the Crumlin area of ​​Dublin 12 where he grew up.

Forged Irish Stout – brewed in Ireland – was then launched in July 2021.

Meanwhile, McGregor broke his silence on Friday afternoon after the ruling: ‘I will appeal against today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award awarded were for assault, not for serious or exemplary damages.

“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all of the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you for all my support worldwide.”

The MMA fighter previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand (not pictured)

After deliberating for six hours and ten minutes, the jury returned their verdict on the trial and awarded Mrs Hand €250,000 (£207,805).

McGregor shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him guilty of assaulting her.

Ms Hand cried and was hugged by her partner and supporters as the verdict was handed down.

Outside court she described the past two weeks as a “nightmare” but said she felt vindicated.