Conor McGregor Accuser Accused of Fabricating Details in Dublin Hotel Case, Court Hears

A woman alleging rape by Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor at a Dublin hotel faces accusations of fabricating details, described as a “web of lies,” in the immediate aftermath of the reported event. Nikita Hand is seeking civil damages from Mr McGregor and a second individual, asserting she was sexually assaulted in December 2018. Ms Hand has alleged that Mr McGregor pinned her to a bed and raped her within a hotel bedroom in Dublin. The High Court was previously informed that, following the alleged incident, she communicated to her former partner that she could not identify her assailant because “he told me he’d kill me.” Ms Hand, identified as a former hair colourist from Drimnagh in Dublin, declined to name her attacker to her former partner, informing him instead that she had been raped and choked three times. During her fourth day of testimony at Dublin’s High Court, Ms Hand underwent cross-examination by Remy Farrell SC, who serves as the defence barrister for Mr McGregor. Mr Farrell inquired, “You told your former partner that ‘he told me he’d kill me’. That was a reference to McGregor, wasn’t it?” “Yes,” she responded. Mr Farrell stated that she had not, at any point during subsequent police interviews or in her testimony, indicated that Mr McGregor had issued a death threat. “Is that something that happened or didn’t?” Mr Farrell questioned. She informed the court that she was unable to recall. Mr Farrell additionally interrogated Ms Hand regarding remarks she made to her then-partner concerning her presence in a taxi with a friend after departing the Beacon Hotel, the location where she alleges the rape occurred. Ms Hand conceded that this statement was false, clarifying that she had been alone in the taxi, and explained that she made the comment to reassure her former partner of her well-being. Nevertheless, Mr Farrell asserted that the falsehoods she conveyed to her former partner constituted “part of a web of lies you were weaving.” He further stated: “You were telling lies to your ex-partner and he was catching you out on some.” Ms Hand testified that she had been distressed, disoriented, and injured by the events, acknowledging that she did indeed lie to her former partner. She informed the court, “I was raped and battered a few hours before that, so my mind wasn’t perfect at the time.” “I didn’t care about anything at the time. All I cared about was my body and how hurt I was. I didn’t care about anyone else.” John Fitzgerald SC, representing James Lawrence, remarked that the “strange feature” of this case is his client’s involvement in the proceedings stems from his own statements, rather than from Ms Hand’s allegations against him. Mr Fitzgerald stated that his client “brought himself into the case” by informing the police in January 2019 that he and Ms Hand had engaged in consensual sexual activity. Mr Fitzgerald further suggested to Ms Hand that she had sexual intercourse with Mr McGregor, and that the door separating the sitting room and bedroom of the hotel penthouse remained open, allowing them to be “heard clearly having sex.” “They were moaning noises and noises that indicated you were having a good time and not a bad time,” Mr Fitzgerald commented. He asserted that she was engaged in “pleasurable sex” with Mr McGregor concurrently with Mr Lawrence having sexual intercourse with her friend in the adjacent room. Mr Fitzgerald additionally contended that Ms Hand was aware her friend and the second defendant were having sex, as she had observed them. “I think this is another made-up story,” Ms Hand responded. Mr Fitzgerald also stated that Mr Lawrence claims to have witnessed her on top of Mr McGregor during sexual activity. “Lies,” she declared. Ms Hand further asserted that Mr Lawrence was being untruthful when he informed police that she had engaged in sexual intercourse with him twice upon their return to the hotel room. Ms Hand stated: “I think he’s lying.” Mr Fitzgerald questioned: “You think he’s lying about having sex with you?” “Absolutely,” Ms Hand answered. The court was previously informed that Ms Hand has been receiving disability allowance since the reported assault, and although she briefly returned to work, she was unable to maintain her employment due to her anxiety.