The Supreme Court in the Republic of Ireland definitively rejected all appeals by world-famous fighter Conor McGregor against his verdict in a civil court case for sexual assault. Three senior judges unanimously confirmed the initial decision, which requires the athlete to pay compensation of 206,000 British pounds to the victim Nikita Hand.
The main arguments of McGregor's defense were related to procedural violations during the initial trial. His lawyers insisted that his responses during police interrogations should not have been presented to the jury, and that the phrasing of questions in the documents was incorrect.
However, the court magistrates categorically rejected all objections. They emphasized that the term "assault" fully encompasses the essence of the act, and the defendant's silence during interrogations can be interpreted as an indirect admission of guilt.
An interesting moment in the court session was McGregor's attempt to present additional evidence from his former neighbors - Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins. They claimed to have witnessed a conflict between Nikita Hand and her former partner, which according to the defense could explain the bruises on her body.
Nikita Hand, however, categorically rejected these claims, describing them as false. Her lawyers successfully defended the original version and proved that the assault was committed by Conor McGregor.
The court in Dublin not only confirmed its initial decision but also obliged the athlete to cover all court costs. This means that the total sum McGregor must pay will significantly exceed the initially determined 206,000 pounds.
The case provoked serious public interest not only because of McGregor's fame but also due to the precedential significance of the court decision. It shows that even famous athletes are not beyond the scope of the law when it comes to serious crimes against a person.
McGregor, who is a multiple champion in mixed martial arts, has already lost a significant part of his reputation because of this scandal. His sponsors and public image were seriously compromised after the court decision.
Experts commented that this case could have serious consequences not only for McGregor's career but also as an important signal to society about the unacceptability of sexual violence, regardless of the perpetrator's social status.