Conor McGregor found liable for sexual assault in civil case

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has been found liable of sexual assault by an Irish court.
A 12-person jury ruled the 36-year-old fighter and another man forced sex on Nikita Ni Laimhin after a 2018 Christmas party. He’s been ordered to pay nearly $260,000.
Eight women and four men heard evidence over the past two weeks before beginning deliberations Thursday afternoon. They rendered a civil judgement Friday following six hours of deliberation.
McGregor’s accuser alleged the pugilist “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel. Her lawyer called the fighter “a devious coward” and told jurors during closing arguments to “treat him for what he is.”
McGregor’s defense acknowledged jurors may “loathe” the outspoken brawler, but asked them to put those feelings aside when rendering their verdict.
“I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch,” the jury was told.
The defendant claimed his encounter with the woman, who goes by Nikita Hand, was vigorous, but consensual. He shook his head as the ruling against him was announced.
The plaintiff trembled outside the courthouse as she read a statement saying she could now get on with her life. She thanked her partner and her family, including her daughter — whom she feared she’d never see again — for their support.
Irish Central reported jurors heard audio of McGregor’s accuser telling her boyfriend she was afraid to name her attacker because “he told me he’d kill me.”
Jurors also heard her claim McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter, where she said she was placed in a chokehold.
“It is a full blown lie among many lies,” McGregor said of that allegation.
The 35-year-old hairdresser reportedly said she showed her partner her bruised fists to prove she tried fighting off her attackers.
“He was choking me and I couldn’t breathe,” Laimhin said in a 2 a.m. recording. “He choked me three times.”
A paramedic who examined the woman the day after the party reported extensive bruising.
Laimhin claimed to have stopped by the holiday soiree for “coke and drink” with her coworkers and things turned ugly.
Jurors saw video of McGregor and his accuser leaving the hotel appearing “happy, happy, happy.”
She recalled wanting to “reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again” before they parted ways.
Laimhin is also suing McGregor’s alleged accomplice.
With News Wire Services