A jury has been sworn in at the High Court to hear a civil action for damages against Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor and another man for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman.

Judge Alexander Owens told the jury the allegation is that Nikita Ni Laimhin, a hair colourist, was sexually assaulted by Mr McGregor and another man on December 9, 2018.

The judge said the pair were alleged to have “actually raped” her on that date.

He told the jury it was not a criminal case but a civil action for assault.

The court held that if proven, then it is a civil tort and the claimant is entitled to damages.

The jury was told that they were the judges of fact as to what happened and they would have to draw a conclusion and that would be based on their decision.

Mr McGregor, wearing a white shirt and blue suit, appears at the High Court in Dublin.

The action is expected to last about two weeks.

Judge Owens warned the jury not to become their own “private detectives” and conduct their own independent investigations into the case.

“You make your decision and you listen to the evidence and you make your decision based on the evidence,” Judge Owens said.

“Anything you hear or see about this trial, or anything about the circumstances of the trial that is not received in court, cannot be taken into account by you.”

He warned jurors not to discuss the case with family members when they return home at night and not to form their own opinions based on the evidence.