McGregor's Withdrawal Of Evidence To Be Referred To The Director of Public Prosecutions

Wednesday, 2 July 2025 15:16

By Tara Flanagan

The Court of Appeal referred the withdrawal of evidence to the DPP after an application was made by Nikita Hand’s legal team.

Matters arising from a withdrawal of Conor McGregor’s application to introduce “new evidence” as part of his appeal, will be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The decision was made by the Court of Appeal on foot of an application by Nikita Hand’s legal team, which claimed the potential for perjury should be investigated.

Last November, Nikita Hand won her civil rape trial against Straffan resident Conor McGregor.

As part of his appeal, the MMA fighter wanted to introduce what he claimed to be “new evidence” that could have offered an alternative explanation for her injuries.

In sworn affidavits, two of her former neighbours claimed they heard and saw things that night that led them to believe she was in a physical row with her then boyfriend.

The application to introduce that evidence was due to be heard yesterday but at the very last minute, Conor McGregor’s lawyers moved to withdraw it.

Ms Hand’s barrister, John Gordon SC, expressed his shock, claiming lies had been told about his client and her former partner.

In his opinion, the decision to withdraw the application denied his client the opportunity to call out the “highly disparaging” and “unfair criticism” of her.

He also urged the judges to refer the matter to the DPP, which, after some consideration, the court has agreed to do.

A decision on the appeal itself will be delivered at a later date.