Nikita Hand has won her civil legal action against Conor McGregor, whom she accused of raping her in a Dublin hotel on the 9th of December 2018.
However, the jury didn’t find in her favour in relation to her lawsuit against the MMA fighter’s friend, James Lawrence, whom she also accused of raping her that day.
In her evidence, the 26 year old told the jury how he pinned her on a bed in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel after she rejected his sexual advances.
She recounted how he choked her three times before raping her.
“He was not taking no for an answer, “she told the jury, “and the more I struggled, the more he liked it."
Mr McGregor denied the claim, insisting they had “fully consensual sex.”
The jury rejected his version of events.
Speaking outside court this evening, Ms Hand said she feels vindicated and has described the last two weeks, as a "nightmare."
She said she wanted to show her daughter, and "every other girl and boy," that you can "stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served."
Ms Hand then addressed all victims of sexual assault:
"I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice."
Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said: “Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is exceptionally proud to stand with the courageous and determined Nikita Hand in her pursuit of justice.
"This is a very positive verdict and a mark of belief in survivors around the country. The court has acknowledged the wrongs done to this brave woman and the acts of violence against her. Nikita had a right to live a life free of sexual violence, just like every other woman who has ever experienced it.
“It is important to victims and survivors and to the wider public that when that right is violated, justice is served in the way that it was today.
“In the face of great adversity, Nikita Hand held strong to her belief that the truth must be told and acknowledged in court. Today’s verdict will be met with relief by many survivors of sexual violence watching and listening closely to the narrative inside and outside the courtroom.
“Thankfully the jury found in favour of Nikita Hand. But this case and the public commentary around it has also thrown up questions about how some of Irish society views victims of sexual violence. It illustrates that there is still a culture of blame and judgement out there that has no place in a modern society.
"We need a greater awareness of how trauma affects people differently and accelerated action to change residual negative attitudes around sexual violence.”
