Women take to streets in solidarity with Nikita Hand after her claim win against Conor McGregor for damages in civil case
Ms Hand, who accused Conor McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court on Friday
Hundreds of people staged a demonstration in Dublin on Monday night in “utter solidarity” with Nikita Hand.
Ms Hand, who accused UFC fighter Conor McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court on Friday.
She was described as “incredibly brave” and celebrated for “standing up for survivors” of assault by those who attended the demonstration in the city.
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McGregor has said in social media posts that he intends to appeal against the decision.
The protest march was organised by the socialist feminist movement group Rosa to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Participants chanted “stand with Nikita” and “no more fear, no more shaming – we reject your victim blaming” as they carried signs and banners through the capital’s streets.
The demonstration was bookended by speeches from attendees including organisers Ruth Coppinger, a councillor and General Election candidate for People Before Profit in Dublin West.
Natasha O’Brien, who became a national figure in activism on violence against women after a soldier got a suspended sentence for assaulting her, also addressed the crowd.
Ms Coppinger said Ms Hand, who she characterised as “an incredibly brave woman”, was watching live video of the event remotely. She added she was not attending personally as she needed time to recover after the civil case.
Ms Coppinger said the “overwhelming support of the Irish public is definitely with Nikita”.
Ms O’Brien was cheered as she told those gathered that she was “in awe” of Ms Hand’s courage.
She said Ireland let out a collective “sigh of relief” after the jury in the civil case found in her favour in her case against McGregor. Ms O’Brien added: “But, for me - it was a split second because in came all these questions flooding in: Why did Nikita have to fight alone?’
“This really hits home for me, it is like a kick in the guts.”
She said she had cried “so many tears” over the weeks of the trial.
Ms O’Brien added Ms Hand had refused to be ignored.
McGregor had faced an accusation he “brutally raped and battered” Ms Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018. The Irish sports star previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel.
The claimant was taken in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital the following day where she was assessed in the sexual assault treatment unit.
A paramedic who examined Ms Hand the day after the assault had told the court she had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time.
She broke down several times as she gave evidence for almost three days and sought a number of breaks. The jury had been told Ms Hand had to leave her job as a hairdresser and has not been able to work since, because of her mental health.
The trial also heard her relationship with her partner ended months after she had to move out of her home in Drimnagh, and her mortgage is now in arrears.
Speaking outside court on Friday, Ms Hand said: “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.”
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