Conor McGregor (C) arrives to talk to the press (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Conor McGregor has made a resolute statement promising to challenge the outcome of his civil sexual assault case, though he confessed to past “mistakes”. The ex-UFC champion must pay Nikita Hand a sum of £200,000 following a guilty ruling in a civil court.
Accused of raping her in a Dublin hotel six years earlier, McGregor was deemed liable and Hand was granted £200,000 in damages last Friday.
In an attempt to restore his sullied image, the 36 year old fighter broke his social media silence with a post on Monday, disclosing his determination to move past the incident and make a comeback to the UFC. McGregor proclaimed his plan to appeal in his communiqué.
However, 35 year old Hand feels vindicated by the verdict and is striving to rebuild her life with her family’s support.
McGregor’s full confession reads: “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches.
“I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me. As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.”
Nikita Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, speaking to the media outside the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against Conor McGregor. Nikita Hand alleges she was raped by McGregor in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. After deliberating for six hours and 10 minutes, the jury returned with their verdicts in the civil trial against Conor McGregor. The total amount of damages awarded to Nikita Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH McGregor. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire (Image: PA)
“I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits! “.
Prior to his latest online post on Monday evening, Conor McGregor erupted in a series of now-deleted incensed messages on social media. On Sunday, in an intense tirade, he lambasted the outcome and made clear his intention to appeal, stressing that he expected “vindication” akin to that experienced by his friend.
Hand, who has alleged the episode left her with severe bruising and PTSD, was emotionally grateful to her supporters following Friday’s judgement. She shared: “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody. I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing from start to finish.
“I want to thank the justice, the jury and all the witnesses. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice centre, I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew.
“I want to thank the men and women who have supported me throughout this trial. For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, I really appreciate it so much.
In an emotional statement, the survivor expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I want to thank my partner who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day. I want to thank my mum and all my family and friends. I want to thank my daughter who I am most grateful for. She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice.”
She added emphatically, “I want to show her 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. To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice.”
The survivor continued, reflecting on the harrowing journey, “I know this has impacted my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends’ tremendously and it is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. But now that justice has been served I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family, friends and daughter.”