Conor McGregor's attempt to overturn charges in the Nikita Hand sexual assault case unsuccessful
In a significant turn of events, Conor McGregor has lost his appeal in the civil sexual assault case in Ireland's Court of Appeal. The court upheld an earlier jury verdict that found him liable for the sexual assault of a woman named Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room in December 2018.
The Court of Appeal in Dublin dismissed McGregor’s appeal on July 31, 2025. The appeal, which was in a civil sexual assault case involving McGregor and Nikita Hand, saw three judges comprehensively dismiss all grounds of McGregor’s appeal.
An attempt by McGregor's legal team to introduce new evidence regarding injuries sustained by the complainant was withdrawn right before the appeal began, leaving the court puzzled. McGregor was not present in court during the appeal dismissal and has not publicly reacted to the verdict as of the latest reports.
The jury found McGregor liable for raping Nikita Hand, and he was ordered to pay €250,000 in civil damages to Nikita Hand, along with €1.3 million in legal costs. McGregor, 36, maintained that the encounter was consensual.
Detailed medical evidence was presented to the court, and Nikita Hand testified that drugs and alcohol were involved during a penthouse party at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where the alleged rape occurred.
Outside court, Nikita Hand stated that the appeal process had "re-traumatised" her. She called out to survivors to not be silenced and to seek justice. Nikita Hand also praised survivors for speaking out.
The court did not admit any new evidence during the appeal process and upheld the 2023 jury verdict as the final verdict in the case. It remains unclear if McGregor plans to take the case to the Supreme Court.
[1] This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their own legal counsel for advice specific to their situation.
Amidstthe ongoing legal saga, Conor McGregor's appeal for the civil sexual assault case against him was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Dublin on July 31, 2025, leaving no room for further disputes about his liability in the alleged assault of Nikita Hand. The dismissal of his multiple appeal grounds has been a significant blow to McGregor's celebrity-filled career, potentially affecting his reputation in the general-news and entertainment industries as well as casting doubts on his future standing in crime-and-justice discussions.
