McGregor acknowledges cocaine use during night of alleged rape

Conor McGregor has acknowledged consuming cocaine on the evening of the alleged rape of a woman from Dublin. During court proceedings on Thursday, the Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) competitor confirmed by responding “correct” when John Gordon SC asserted that cocaine was present in his vehicle with the alleged victim and an additional witness. The court was further informed that Mr McGregor responded with “no comment” to more than 100 inquiries during his initial police interview, explaining that he followed his lawyer’s counsel due to being in a state of “shock and fear”. Nikita Hand, a woman from Dublin, has accused the athlete of rape following a Christmas social event in December 2018. He refutes all accusations. This trial is proceeding as a civil case in the Dublin High Court, subsequent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland declining to bring criminal charges against Mr McGregor. The interview, which took place in January 2019, involved Mr McGregor attending Dundrum Garda Station for questioning alongside his solicitor and submitting a pre-written statement. Following this, Mr McGregor repeatedly stated “no comment” to inquiries, including whether he and Nikita Hand originated from Crumlin, a district in Dublin. The judge instructed the jury, composed of eight women and four men, that no conclusions should be drawn from Mr McGregor’s decision to not comment, as it constitutes his legal entitlement. Mr McGregor characterized his statement as “to the point” when its brevity was raised. “I would have loved to go to a top of the mountain with a microphone and shout from the hilltops but because of the seriousness of the allegation I went to my lawyer and I took their advice,” he stated. Mr McGregor further mentioned that he had been “beyond petrified” during the garda interview, attributing this to it being an unprecedented experience for him. He added: “I feel I was as good, as cooperative, I took their advice, I put myself in their hands, this is alien to me, it’s the first time anything like that has ever happened to me in my life.” Subsequently, Mr McGregor asserted: “These allegations are false, I’m here to say my piece and my truth, these allegations are lies, they’re false.” Mr McGregor contends that Nikita Hand engaged in consensual sexual activity with him on two occasions. He additionally asserted in court that Hand had sexual relations with his associate and co-defendant, James Lawrence. Nikita Hand, however, denies ever having sex with Mr Lawrence. Mr McGregor stated that he instructed one of his employees to reserve the Beacon Hotel. John Gordon SC, acting on behalf of Ms Hand, subsequently presented findings from Ms Hand’s gynaecological examinations. A tampon, found lodged within Ms Hand’s vagina, required removal using forceps. Mr McGregor maintains that Ms Hand was not using a tampon during their sexual encounter. When questioned about its presence, Mr McGregor responded: “Not with me”. Mr McGregor was also queried regarding whether he had covered Mr Lawrence’s legal expenses. “I believe I did,” he stated. Subsequently, during cross-examination, when asked if Ms Hand had experienced fear, Mr McGregor asserted that there had been “no sign of distress, fear, anything other than enjoyment, elations and excitement”. Ms Hand, previously employed as a hair colourist in Dublin, is pursuing monetary compensation, including lost income, for the emotional suffering she endured due to the alleged sexual assaults. During prior hearings, she testified that Mr McGregor allegedly put her in a choke hold and choked her three times before raping her. A paramedic who assessed Ms Hand the day following the alleged incidents informed the court on Tuesday that she had not observed such bruising on a patient for an extended period. Mr Lawrence, Mr McGregor’s co-defendant, provided testimony on Thursday afternoon. He asserted that he engaged in consensual sexual activity with Ms Hand twice in the hotel room after Mr McGregor had departed the premises. Mr Lawrence stated that Ms Hand was flirtatious and initiated the sexual encounter. He further noted that her only distress in the room concerned a minor bruise and how she would explain it to her boyfriend. Ms Hand had previously informed the court that she has no recollection of ever having sex with Mr Lawrence, but recalled informing him that she had been raped by the MMA fighter and subsequently became distressed. Her assertion is that Mr Lawrence reacted with shock to her allegations and attempted to console her then. When questioned if he was serving as the “fall guy” for Mr McGregor, Mr Lawrence emphatically responded, “not in a million years”. He additionally stated that he has six sisters and nieces and would not condone such actions if they had transpired. In a civil action within the Republic of Ireland – unlike a criminal case – neither the accuser nor the defendant is automatically granted anonymity throughout the court proceedings.