Conor McGregor releases statement after losing civil assault case

Conor McGregor has released a 120-word statement after he was found liable of assaulting Nikita Hand in a civil court case.

Hand, from Dublin, accused the UFC fighter of raping her at a hotel in the Irish capital after a Christmas night out in December 2018.

She alleged McGregor pinned her to a bed, choked her three times and "brutally raped and battered" her. The MMA fighter told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel in the south of the city.

A civil jury at Dublin High Court was told she was left with extensive injuries, including bruising along her hands and wrists, a bloodied scratch to her breast and tenderness to her neck.

McGregor denied all the allegations against him, as did co-defendant James Lawrence, but following two weeks of evidence and several days listening to closing remarks, the jury of eight women and four men found McGregor liable for the assault of Hand.

McGregor, who has been ordered to pay Hand more than €248,000 (£206,000) in damages, intends to appeal the decision.

"I will be appealing today's decision," he said in a now-deleted X post. "The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.

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

And now, the 36-year-old has publicly admitted his regret over cheating on longtime partner, Dee Devlin, in another statement.

"People want to hear from me, I needed time," McGregor said on X. "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."

McGregor added: "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!"

Conor McGregor leaves court, accompanied by his partner Dee Devlin, after the court announced the jury's decision in the civil action case. Image credit: Getty

Speaking outside of the High Court in Dublin following the verdict, Nikita Hand sent a message to victims of sexual assault.

"I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody," she said. "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 woman 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."

Ms Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Ms Nikita Hand, arrives for the civil action case. Image credit: Getty

She added: "To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice. I know this has impacted my life, my daughter's, my family and friends' tremendously and 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 wit my family, friends and daughter."