Conor McGregor has lost his appeal against a civil jury's finding that he assaulted a woman in a Dublin hotel in 2018. The MMA fighter had challenged the verdict on five grounds, all of which were dismissed by the Court of Appeal on Thursday.
The woman, who accused McGregor of rape, was awarded €248,603.60 in damages in November, with McGregor also ordered to pay around €1.3 million in legal costs. The jury found McGregor civilly liable for assault, though he maintained the sex was consensual.
McGregor's appeal included a ground based on fresh evidence from a former neighbour, but this was withdrawn earlier this month. Other grounds largely concerned the admission of his 'no comment' answers to gardaí during the trial.
Co-defendant James Lawrence also lost his appeal against the trial judge's decision not to award him legal costs. The jury did not find Lawrence had assaulted the woman, but the judge ruled she did not have to pay his costs.
Delivering the judgment, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore dismissed both appeals in full. Speaking outside court, the woman said: 'To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is but please don't be silenced … You deserve to be heard, you also deserve justice. Today, I can finally move on and try to heal.'
