(Correct headline and first paragraph to show jury found McGregor assaulted woman, not jury found he sexually assaulted woman)

By Graham Fahy

DUBLIN: Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor assaulted a woman at a party in Dublin in 2018 and must pay her nearly 250,000 euros ($259,950) in damages, a jury ruled on Friday.

The jury of eight women and four men delivered their verdict in the civil trial at Ireland’s highest court after six hours and 10 minutes of deliberation.

The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her on December 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, the court heard during two weeks of evidence.

The jury found that Lawrence did not assault Hand. McGregor left court through a throng of reporters without comment and later posted on X that he planned to appeal the decision.

McGregor, 36, has denied the allegation and said he had “fully consensual sex” with Hand. He also denied causing the bruises to the complainant.

Hand’s lawyer told the jury that when she was sent to a sexual assault treatment facility the day after the alleged assault, a doctor was so concerned that he ordered photographs of her injuries.

Hand said she and a friend contacted McGregor, whom she knew, after a work Christmas party. She said they were driven by McGregor to a party in a south Dublin hotel penthouse where drugs and alcohol were being consumed.

She said McGregor took a bedroom in her penthouse and sexually assaulted her.

Speaking outside court, Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received and felt vindicated.

“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story reminds them that no matter how scared you are, speak up, you have a voice and keep fighting for justice,” she said.

(1 USD = 0.9617 euros)