December 9th 2024.
In November, Conor McGregor and his partner, Dee Devlin, were spotted outside the High Court in Dublin. It was a difficult time for the UFC star, who had just lost a civil sexual assault case brought against him by Nikita Hand. As a result, McGregor is reportedly considering a move out of Ireland and back to the US.
The case had taken a toll on McGregor, not just personally but also on his business interests. He was ordered to pay over £200,000 in damages to Ms. Hand, who accused him of rape. Sources close to McGregor revealed that he plans to relocate his family to the US, where most of his fans are still standing by him.
During the High Court case, Ms. Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, alleged that McGregor had brutally raped and beaten her in a Dublin hotel in 2018. She described how she was pinned down and choked, feeling like she was going to die. However, just hours after the accusations, McGregor's partner, Dee Devlin, took to social media to defend him and their family, claiming that they stand strong and warning Ms. Hand that her sons will be taught about women like her.
The aftermath of the case has had a significant impact on McGregor's commercial ventures in the UK and Ireland, with retailers refusing to sell products associated with him and a video game developer cutting ties. A source close to McGregor stated that he is devastated by the fallout and plans to appeal the verdict to clear his name. But for now, he and his family are looking to move back to the US, where he owns an apartment in Las Vegas and is considering settling in Florida.
McGregor has always maintained that the encounter with Ms. Hand was consensual, describing it as vigorous, athletic, and prolonged, but not rough. He plans to appeal the verdict and has shown remorse for his past mistakes, acknowledging that he should not have responded to Ms. Hand's advances and should have been faithful to his partner.
The case has also sparked a larger conversation about sexual assault and the justice system in Ireland. Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, called for clarification from the Director of Public Prosecutions as to why Ms. Hand's allegations were not taken to a criminal trial. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre also saw an increase in calls during the trial, with more first-time callers seeking support.
Ms. Hand hopes that her case will encourage other victims of assault to keep pushing for justice and survivors to speak up, no matter how afraid they may be. And for those who have been through similar experiences, there is help and support available. If you have been the victim of rape, whether recently or in the past, you can reach out to the police or a helpline for guidance and assistance.
If you are still at risk, call 999 and ask for the police. Otherwise, the first step is to go somewhere you feel safe. If you decide to report the assault to the police, an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate can support you throughout the process, and you can withdraw from the criminal justice system at any time.
It is essential to preserve any potential DNA evidence, so avoid washing your clothes or bathing if possible. And if you don't want to contact the police, you can confide in someone you trust or call a helpline for support. Remember, there is no time limit on reporting historic assaults, and you can still access support and seek medical treatment if needed.
The case may have come to an end, but the conversation and support for survivors must continue. If you or someone you know has been through a similar experience, know that you are not alone, and help is available.
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