Conor McGregor’s spokesperon says he was frustrated when he made the social media posts (Image: PA)
Conor McGregor’s social media posts, in which he referred to a ‘kangaroo court’, were born out of “frustration and disappointment” according to his spokesperson.
Over the past few days, McGregor has posted – and subsequently deleted – several messages on social media, where he labelled his accuser Nikita Hand a liar, called the media that reported the case facts a “laughing stock”, and dubbed the High Court, where he was ordered to pay damages for assault, a “court of feeling and opinion”.
However, his spokesperson now claims that these posts, which criticised the media, the court, and Ms Hand, were made out of frustration. And he stressed that McGregor “respects the role of the jury.”
Last week, High Court Judge Alexander Owens stated that the social media post “was constructed to be an attack on the jury and cannot be tolerated,” and hinted at considering contempt of court proceedings against McGregor.
Earlier this week, McGregor took to posting a series of statements including “Who gives a f*ck about the fake press,” and seemed to channel US President Elect with the mantra “fight, fight fight”.
Further fuelling controversy, he shared thoughts on the recent scandals involving rapper Jay Z, stating: “Never settle with blackmailers. EVER.”
The sought comments from McGregor’s representative regarding whether he regrets these posts or owes an apology. In a statement, McGregor’s spokesperson said the Irishman “has made a few posts regarding his frustration and disappointment with the verdict, given the preponderance of evidence, including the CCTV”.
They added: “He respects the role of the jury but disagrees with their decision. He maintains the relationship was consensual and will file an appeal shortly.”
Conor McGregor posted several angry messages on social media after losing the case (Image: PA)
Up until now, McGregor has yet to challenge the verdict handed down by a jury comprising four men and eight women, which held him civilly responsible for assaulting Ms Hand. Ms Hand alleged in her legal complaint that McGregor brutally assaulted her in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin, on December 9, 2018.
Last week, after holding McGregor accountable for Ms Hand’s legal expenses in her case against him, Judge Owens stated he might consider contempt of court proceedings against the UFC star due to his social media posts.
“I haven’t decided on that, but I can if I want to instigate a proceeding against Mr McGregor for contempt of court which could result in a fine. He is a very rich man who could well afford to pay a fine,” the judge declared.
“There was a tendency to allow a matter like this to pass unremarked,” the judge added, implying that this led people to believe they could say anything. “If he did post the text it was highly irresponsible,” the judge remarked.
Mr Justice Owens also expressed: “It is most unsatisfactory that a litigant would go on to attack the jury.”
The jury awarded Ms Hand €248,603.60 in general and special damages, considering Ms Hand’s loss of earnings since she ceased working and her future loss of earnings. An emotional Ms Hand addressed the media outside the court, initially expressing gratitude to her supporters and her legal team.
“I would like to start off by saying I’m overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everybody,” she expressed.
“First, I want to thank the legal team and my three barristers, John Gordon, Ray Boland and Sean. They have been amazing from start to finish. I want to thank Mr Justice Alexander Owens, the jury, all the witnesses, I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital.
“I want to thank everyone for looking after me, especially my own doctor Frank Clarke.”
Nikita Hand was awarded over £200,000 in damages from the case (Image: PA)
She went on to praise the Rape Crisis Centre, particularly Cliona, who stood by her throughout the ordeal. She continued: “I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew. I want to thank all the women and men out there who have supported me throughout this trial.
“For every person who reached out to me a card, a letter, e-mail, everything, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you. I really appreciate it so much.”
She also thanked her partner Gary for his unwavering support over the last four years, holding her hand through each day of the trial. Her mother, family, and friends were also acknowledged for their support.
Most importantly, she thanked her daughter Freya, who gave her the strength and courage to keep pushing forward for justice throughout this six-year nightmare.
Ms Hand added: “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.
“To all the victims of sexual assault. I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up. You have a voice and keep on fighting for justice. It’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
Conor McGregor and his partner Dee Devlin (Image: PA)
But now that justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future.”
In a media interaction, Ms Hand described her ordeal as a “nightmare” and expressed relief at finally achieving vindication. The two-week civil trial revealed that the alleged rape was investigated by the gardai, but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to press charges, citing doubts about securing a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite Ms Hand’s request for a review, the DPP’s decision remained unchanged.
In the civil case, the jury only had to make a judgement on the balance of probabilities – a lower threshold than beyond a reasonable doubt. McGregor, one of Ireland’s most famous men, has now been found civilly liable for an assault after Ms Hand claimed that he raped her at the Beacon Hotel’s penthouse suite on the night of December 9, 2018.
However, he is not a convicted rapist and has not been found guilty of any criminal offence. McGregor took the stand in his defence and vehemently denied raping Ms Hand, while she recounted a “brutal” ordeal where the MMA star allegedly put her in a chokehold and assaulted her.
According to Ms Hand, McGregor told her during the attack “how he felt when I was in the Octagon and I had to tap myself out three times.”
She detailed how McGregor “flipped” her around and “choked” her after she attempted to bite him in self-defence. She said: “I was trying to fight as much as I could. I bit him and he didn’t like it, it was like he was just behind me then. He choked me, put his arm around me.
“I just remember him behind me and I think I was sitting on the bed. He put his arm around my neck and choked me three times.” The third choke, she claimed, was longer and stronger, making her fear for her life:
“I just completely thought I was going to die ” In his final address to the jury, Ms Hand’s defence lawyer John Gordon branded McGregor a “devious coward” and a “liar,” asserting that the evidence against him was “embarrassing and overwhelming.”