Jury in Conor McGregor case sent home for night as deliberations to resume in morning

The jury in the civil case against UFC star Conor McGregor are to resume their deliberations tomorrow morning.

The jury of eight women and four men began their deliberations at 3.03pm just after Mr Justice Alexander Owens completed delivering his charge to the jury.v

However, they were called back less than an hour later by Mr Justice Owens just before 4pm as one juror had to leave at that time.

Mr Justice Owens told the jurors on Thursday evening, “You can forget about the case now until 10am on Friday when you will resume your deliberations.”

READ MORE: All updates from Conor McGregor case as jury begins deliberations

READ MORE: Storm Bert named by Met Eireann as 14-hour weather warning issued for all of Ireland

Nikita Hand, 35, is suing McGregor and James Lawrence - who both deny her claim of assault at the penthouse suite in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin on December 9, 2018.

Mr Justice Owens spent Wednesday and Thursday delivering his charge to the jury by reading through a summary of all of the evidence given in the trial - which is entering its twelfth day on Friday.

Earlier the jury were told by the judge that any damages awarded should be “proportionate” to harm, should they find in favour of plaintiff Nikita Hand.

Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand, leaving the High Court in Dublin
(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

On Wednesday the judge said that any verdict on liability should be based on evidence alone and that the jury “should not pluck a figure out of the sky” or consult a “Ouija board” in relation to damages.

He also said the jury must not carry out their own investigations away from the evidence in the style of “Detective Poirot” because they could be in danger of reaching the conclusions of “Inspector Clouseau.”

During the trial, Mr McGregor took the stand in his own defence, telling the jury that he had "consensual" sex with Ms Hand in a hotel penthouse, which he described as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" and carried out in a "multitude" of positions.

Co-defendant of mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, James Lawrence, outside the High Court in Dublin, where Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand, is claiming civil damages against the fighter and Mr Lawrence, alleging she was sexually assaulted in December 2018. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo
(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

Ms Hand (Ní Laimhín) alleges that Mr McGregor - once the highest-earning sportsperson in the world - "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse six years ago.

Ms Hand, a former hair colourist, is seeking damages from Mr McGregor and James Lawrence, of Rafter's Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, arising from the events of December 9, 2018, at the penthouse suite of the Beacon hotel in Dublin.

Mr Lawrence claims that he twice had consensual sex with Ms Hand after Mr McGregor left the hotel. Ms Hand said that Mr Lawrence’s claim of consensual sex is “lies”. Both Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence deny the allegations.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.