This Tuesday, November 4, 2024 began in the Dublin High Court the civil suit against Conor McGregorIrish mixed martial arts star accused of rape and sexual assault by woman identified as Nikita Ni Laimhin. According to the lawsuit, the alleged attack took place at December 2018 in a hotel in the Irish capital, also involving another man, James Laurent.
The trial, presided over by Judge Alexander Owens, began with the presentation of the prosecution before a jury of eight women and four men. Owens explained that Nor Laimhin accused McGregor And Laurent for having sexually assaulted her December 9, 2018.
The judge recalled that the case is civil in nature, so it does not involve a criminal conviction, but rather possible compensation if the facts are proven. The complaint, filed in 2021, remained secret until Tuesday.
The lawsuit details that Nor Laimhin And McGregor They knew each other before because they both come from the same region. Dublin and they shared mutual friends. According to the reconstruction of events presented by the plaintiff’s lawyer, the woman and her friend met the Irish fighter that evening, who picked them up in his car to go to Lawrence’s home.
There, according to the testimony, McGregor shared cocaine with women and they headed to a suite in a luxurious hotel in the city. Once in the suite, McGregor allegedly took Ní Laimhin to a room where He tried to have sex with her despite her refusal.
Conor McGregor, in the paddock of the Monaco Formula 1 GP
Europe Press
The complainant testified in court that she felt intimidated and that McGregor slammed her against the bed on several occasions. ignoring their denials and put pressure on him.
Testimonies and interrogations
During the first day of the trial, Ní Laimhin explained to the court how the presence of security guards in McGregor in the room generated an intense feeling of panic. He said he tried to persuade the fighter to give up, saying he knew his wife and family, but did not accept his refusals.
Similarly, Dr. Kane, a gynecologist and witness in the case, testified about the injuries Ní Laimhin suffered after the incident. Kane detailed various injuries to his face, neck and bodyas well as multiple bruises, which he considers to be “consistent with the pattern of events described by the complainant.”
Conor McGregor at the UFC 264 weigh-in
Additionally, he said the victim was treated in a local hospital’s sexual assault unit hours after the alleged assault.
For their part, McGregor’s lawyers argued that The accusation is part of an extortion attempt. They believe that Ní Laimhin’s version is inconsistent and emphasize that the context of the meeting at the hotel was consensual.
Furthermore, they expected McGregor to allege that the the meeting was consensual and it was a misunderstanding around a “rough sex” dynamic.
This trial, which has received international media attention, is expected to last approximately two weeks. During this time, additional testimony will be presented and other evidence will be evaluated to determine whether McGregor is responsible for the allegations.
