Conor McGregor releases statement as he sends message to partner Dee Devlin
The MMA fighter was found liable of assaulting Hand, who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel six years ago
Conor McGregor has released a public statement on social media after being ordered to pay damages to Nikita Hand following a civil trial in Dublin.
The MMA fighter was found liable of assaulting Hand, who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel six years ago. A jury awarded her over €248,000 in damages on Friday.
McGregor claims that he engaged in consensual sex with Hand, and has vowed to appeal the decision. He released a statement on social media with a post to X on Monday, and stated he is keen to move forward with his life and return to the UFC.
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"People want to hear from me, I needed time," McGregor wrote. "I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches.
"I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.
"As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.
"I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!"
Hand believes that justice has been served, and is attempting to move on with her life while being supported by her family. Speaking outside the court after McGregor had been ordered to pay her damages, Ms. Hand said; "I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody. I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing from start to finish.
"I want to thank the justice, the jury and all the witnesses. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice centre, I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew.
"I want to thank the men and women who have supported me throughout this trial. For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, I really appreciate it so much.
"I want to thank my partner who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day. I want to thank my mum and all my family and friends. I want to thank my daughter who I am most grateful for. She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice.
"I want to show her and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served. To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice.
"I know this has impacted my life, my daughter's, my family and friends' tremendously and it is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. But now that justice has been served I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family, friends and daughter."
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