Conor McGregors Defence Team Drop Bid To Introduce New Evidence In Civil Rape Appeal

Nikita Hand was due to face cross examination from Conor McGregor's lawyers today.

Lawyers for Straffan resident Conor McGregor have abruptly withdrawn a key argument in his civil rape appeal, abandoning a bid to introduce new evidence suggesting an alternative cause for the injuries suffered by Nikita Hand according to the Irish Independent. 

The MMA star had sought to claim that Ms Hand was assaulted by her then-partner, Stephen “Ste” Redmond, just hours after she says she was raped by McGregor in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

The allegations were based on affidavits from Samantha O’Reilly and Steven Cummins, former neighbours of Ms Hand, who claimed to have heard or witnessed a violent incident. However, this morning McGregor’s legal team told the Court of Appeal they would no longer rely on that evidence.

Barrister Mark Mulholland KC said the decision followed submissions from Ms Hand’s legal team and acknowledged difficulties with admitting a supporting report from former Northern Ireland state pathologist Prof Jack Crane.

John Gordon SC, for Ms Hand, said his side was “shocked” at the late withdrawal, adding that his client had been “put through the ringer” after what she described as “lies” were aired in court and widely reported. He asked that the matter be referred to the DPP for potential perjury and subornation of perjury.

Neither O’Reilly nor Cummins attended court. McGregor and his co-appellant James Lawrence were also absent.

Ms Hand was present in court and has consistently denied the new claims, stating her former partner never assaulted her. She described the allegations as “made-up lies.”

McGregor has denied raping Ms Hand, claiming they had consensual sex. However, a civil jury found he had assaulted her and awarded damages of nearly €250,000. The trial judge said the jury’s finding amounted to a determination that McGregor had raped her.

Lawrence was cleared of assault but was not awarded his legal costs.

Other grounds of appeal are now being put forward in a hearing which is expected to take up to two days.