The Supreme Court has rejected bids by Conor McGregor and James Lawrence to appeal a civil case against them. The UFC fighter was sued in a civil court last year over an incident in which he was alleged to have 'brutally raped and battered' a woman in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The woman was awarded almost €250,000 (£214,994) in damages. McGregor was also ordered to pay about €1.3 million (£1.1 million) in legal costs. The same jury did not find Mr Lawrence had assaulted the woman, but the trial judge decided that she would not have to pay his costs.
McGregor's application to the Supreme Court was in relation to his cross-examination during the trial about 'no comment' answers he gave during a Garda interview. In their determination on Thursday, the Supreme Court judges said they were 'satisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing' and refused him leave to appeal.
Mr Lawrence was attempting to appeal the decision not to award costs, but the court also denied his appeal, saying the lower court had applied 'well-established principles in relation to costs'. Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision, the woman said 'the Irish civil justice system has allowed my voice to be heard'.
A statement issued via her solicitors, Coleman Legal, said: 'The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have travelled have been long and painful. Today marks not a victory for me but for all of those who have been treated as I have.' She described the decision as a 'victory for the justice system' and thanked the medics who treated her, her legal team and the advocates who 'work tirelessly for the healing of victims'.
One of the groups she thanked was Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Its chief executive Rachel Morrogh said: 'We are proud to have supported her on this journey and send her our best wishes for continued health and healing as she rebuilds her life with her family and friends. We hope that other survivors take courage and hope from Nikita's case.'
