Conor McGregors Appeal Dismissed in Civil Sexual Assault Case

Former MMA champion Conor McGregor has lost his appeal against a civil jury's finding of sexual assault. This article details the Dublin Court of Appeal's decision, the grounds for the appeal, and the reaffirmation of the original damages awarded to the complainant.

A Legal Setback: McGregor's Appeal Against Civil Finding DismissedIn a significant legal development for the former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor's appeal against a civil jury's finding that he sexually assaulted a woman has been dismissed. The Court of Appeal in Dublin today, July 31, 2025, rejected all five grounds of McGregor's legal challenge, upholding the original verdict in favour of the complainant, Nikita Hand.

The ruling means that the High Court's November 2023 decision, which found McGregor liable for assaulting Ms. Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018 and ordered him to pay substantial damages and legal costs, stands firm. This outcome marks a notable legal setback for the prominent mixed martial artist, whose legal battles continue to draw considerable public attention.

The Original Case and the Grounds for AppealThe civil case stemmed from allegations made by Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of "brutally raping and battering" her in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel. During the three-week civil trial in November 2023, McGregor vehemently denied the allegations, maintaining that the encounter was consensual. The jury, however, found him civilly liable for assault, leading to an order to pay Ms. Hand approximately £206,000 in damages, in addition to significant legal costs.

McGregor's legal team launched an appeal based on several key grounds, seeking to overturn the jury's decision. Among the primary arguments were:

Wording on the "Issue Paper": A central point of contention was the wording on the "issue paper" presented to the jurors, which asked whether "Conor McGregor assaulted Nikita Hand." McGregor's barrister argued that it should have specifically stated "sexual assault," contending that the broader term "assault" could have misled the jury. However, Ms. Hand's legal counsel countered that "assault" encompasses a range of acts, and the context of the trial clearly indicated they were dealing with "assault by rape." The Court of Appeal ultimately agreed that the jury would not have been confused.

"No Comment" Responses in Police Interviews: Another significant ground of appeal involved the inclusion of McGregor's "no comment" responses during police interviews. His legal team argued that allowing these responses into evidence could have unfairly prejudiced the jury, potentially violating his right to silence by suggesting guilt. Ms. Hand's team, however, pointed out that no motion was made during the original trial to dismiss the jury based on this issue, undermining the severity of the complaint. The Court of Appeal found that the trial judge had adequately warned the jury about not drawing adverse inferences from these responses.

Withdrawal of New Evidence: Earlier in July, McGregor's legal team had unexpectedly withdrawn a bid to introduce new evidence as part of the appeal. This proposed evidence, from former neighbours of Ms. Hand, was initially intended to suggest an alternative explanation for bruising on Ms. Hand's body. The dramatic withdrawal of this crucial element further highlighted the challenges faced by McGregor's appeal.

The Court of Appeal's DecisionReading out the ruling on behalf of the three-judge panel, Mr. Justice Brian O'Moore stated, "I find there is nothing in them [the grounds for appeal] to justify setting aside the finding of the jury. I therefore dismiss the appeal in its entirety."

conor mcgregor

Ms. Hand was present in court for the verdict, embraced by her supporters. Conor McGregor himself was not in attendance. The dismissal of the appeal on all grounds signifies a complete rejection of his arguments and firmly upholds the original civil court judgment.

With the appeal now fully rejected, the original civil court ruling and the substantial damages award against Conor McGregor remain in place. This outcome represents a clear legal defeat for the athlete.

While criminal charges in this particular case were not pursued by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence, the civil standard of proof is lower. The civil finding of liability means that the court has determined, on the balance of probabilities, that the assault occurred as alleged.

This decision adds to McGregor's ongoing legal challenges, both in Ireland and internationally. For Ms. Hand, the ruling provides a reaffirmation of the initial jury's findings and the established compensation. It underscores the distinct nature of civil proceedings in seeking justice for alleged harms.