FRESH CALLS
Conor McGregor rape case review pressure mounting after DPP’s ‘insufficient evidence’ for criminal prosecution decision
Sources say the MMA star could still face criminal charges
PRESSURE is mounting on the Director of Public Prosecutions to carry out a full review of the Conor McGregor rape case.
And sources say the MMA star could still end up facing criminal charges after a High Court jury ruled he “brutally” raped and “battered” Nikita Hand in a hotel penthouse.
4
4
4
The DPP previously decided that no criminal prosecution would be taken against McGregor, 36, who continues to deny the allegations and has vowed to appeal.
They said there was “insufficient evidence” and not a reasonable prospect of conviction — forcing Ms Hand to take her civil case.
Politicians are now hoping the DPP will carry out a full review of the evidence heard during the two-week High Court action.
Mum-of-one Nikita, 35, was awarded almost €250,000 in damages after the jury ruled she was sexually assaulted by UFC fighter McGregor at the Beacon Hotel in December 2018.
But while the former hair colourist is thrilled that she won her civil sex assault case, she didn’t receive as much compo as she might have expected.
Her €250,000 award is made up of €60,000 in general damages for assault and just under €190,000 in special damages, mainly for her out-of-pocket expenses.
The Gardai yesterday said they were aware of the outcome of Friday’s High Court case.
However, the force refused to say if they have been ordered by the DPP to review their original probe into the rape allegation after the jury’s civil verdict.
Most read in Irish News
After the DPP decided not to proceed with a criminal prosecution, they wrote a letter to Ms Hand explaining why in August 2020.
She said she felt “absolutely devastated and let down” by the decision.
Connor McGregor seen outside court after receiving guilty verdict
The Gardai said: “An Garda Siochana is aware of the outcome on Friday in the High Court but does not comment on any decisions of the courts.
“An Garda Siochana does not comment on decisions of or any interactions with the independent Office of the DPP.”
Senior politicians are hoping public commentary on the case will influence the DPP’s decision.
And a senior Garda source said they would not be surprised if a review of the criminal case is ordered.
However, as The Irish Sun on Sunday revealed yesterday, dramatic new evidence would need to be uncovered for the DPP to change their mind on charging McGregor.
In a series of interviews, Ms Hand said she knew she would win the sexual assault case.
She said: “I was telling the truth from day one and my daughter does not have to grow up in a world where she has to shut up and say nothing.
“I am exhausted to be honest but overwhelmed with the support that I have received. I always believed in my heart that I would win because my story is true.”
MCGREGOR'S RANT
McGregor has revealed he is planning to appeal the decision.
The case has done serious damage to his reputation both at home and in America, where his Proper No Twelve whiskey brand is a massive seller and worth millions to him.
A post on his social media page criticised the High Court, raging: “This is not a court of hard evidence and truth. It is a kangaroo court of opinions and feelings. We are not done yet. Not by a long shot. No chance.
“On we fight. Justice and truth will prevail! Appeal, Appeal, Appeal.”
However, the rant appeared to have been deleted from McGregor’s X account yesterday.
The case returns to the High Court on Thursday for a decision on costs.
Yesterday Nikita’s mum Debbie said her daughter had been “scarred” by the whole ordeal.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, she said: “It will always be there, it will always be with her. But we will try to move on in the best way we can.”
She added: “I don’t know if she’s ever going to work again. We just take every day as it comes.”
Debbie described her daughter as a “very intelligent girl” who “knows what’s right and wrong”.
She said: “I don’t want to say brave, I would rather leave that to everybody else. We’re the type of family that believes in the truth.”
And asked about the DPP’s decision not to charge McGregor, Debbie added: “The DPP let us down. It was devastating on us for them to say no.”
'ABSOLUTELY NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN'
Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said McGregor should take the Irish flag off his merchandise if he doesn’t respect our courts.
The European Affairs Minister said: “The courts system in Ireland is far from a ‘kangaroo court’ as labelled by Conor McGregor in his rant on Twitter.
“How dare he use such a term against an important institution of our State. If he had an iota of sense, he would respect our courts, a crucial arm of this State.
“The only thing that is clear as day is that he has absolutely no respect for women or this State’s institutions.”
Minister Carroll MacNeill said people around Ireland were “disgusted by what they heard in court about Conor McGregor’s actions”.
The Dun Laoghaire TD added: “A judge and jury of Conor McGregor’s peers heard this evidence” before finding him liable.
She said: “Now he is seeking to undermine our courts system and chip away at its legitimacy. If he has no respect for Irish courts, he should take the Irish flag off his merchandise.”
Deputy Carroll MacNeill described Ms Hand as “an incredible woman”.
She added: “I hope that this will empower more women who have been victims of sexual assault to feel comfortable to seek justice.
“Rape Crisis Centres and other groups have been experiencing a high volume of calls since the McGregor case began dominating the news cycle. I want to thank them all for their incredible work.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“I say to Conor McGregor — if you want to appeal, appeal. You will be heard in court, again.
“In the meantime, stop profiteering with an Irish flag on your merchandise if you won’t respect our country’s courts.”
4
Topics