Conor McGregor loses second court battle and ordered to pay Nikita Hand’s legal costs | UFC | Sport
Conor McGregor has been ordered to pay the legal costs of Nikita Hand following her claim against the MMA star.
Hand won a civil case in Ireland last month after accusing McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel six years ago.
McGregor was ordered to pay Hand €248,000 (£206,000) in damages but denied any wrongdoing and has already stated his intention to appeal the decision.
The former UFC fighter has now been told to pay Hand’s legal fees from the case in a further hearing held on Thursday.
Mr Justice Alex Owens ordered on Thursday afternoon that McGregor must pay Hand’s legal costs at an estimated £1.2million and refused to grant co-defendant James Lawrence his legal costs.
“The defendants filed a single defence represented by one legal firm. Mr Lawrence has a modest means and Mr McGregor was footing his legal bill,” Mr Justice Owens said.
McGregor and Lawrence both denied the allegations and the latter was successful in his own defence, but was not awarded his legal costs.
Posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), at the time of the original verdict, McGregor told his 10.6million followers: “I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.
“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
Hand opted to address the media outside the court last month, saying: “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody.
“I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing from start to finish. I want to thank the justice, the jury and all the witnesses.
“I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice centre, I want to thank all the guards [Irish police] and the ambulance crew.”
She continued: “I want to thank the men and woman who have supported me throughout this trial. For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you I really appreciate it so much.
“I want to thank my partner who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day. I want to thank my mum and all my family and friends. I want to thank my daughter who I am most grateful for.”
