Could Nikita Hand's neighbours be prosecuted?
Last year, the Dublin woman made international news after she successfully sued Conor McGregor in a civil rape action.
The MMA fighter strenuously denied the claim he raped her, insisting the pair had consensual sex when they met in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, back in December 2018.
After the jury decided in Ms Hand’s favour, awarding her damages of €248,000, McGregor vowed to appeal.
As part of his attempts to get the verdict overturned, the 37 year old’s lawyers introduced new evidence from neighbours of Ms Hand’s.
With the appeal now underway, Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney recalled a “truly remarkable” moment in court.
Conor McGregor
“Just before the hearing got underway, Nikita Hand’s barrister, John Gordon, about 10 minutes before the court sat, was informed of Conor McGregor’s side’s decision to withdraw an application to bring fresh evidence,” he explained to Newstalk Daily.
“It related to sworn statements made by former neighbours of Nikita Hand, who claimed they heard and saw things from where they lived in Drimnagh at the time, across the road from Nikita Hand, that led them to believe that she was in a physical row with her then partner.
“This would have been hours after she left the Beacon Hotel, where she claimed Conor McGregor had attacked and brutally raped her.
“I suppose the significance, or the potential significance of that evidence, is that if it had been allowed in, it would have presented a potential alternative explanation for the extensive bruising of her injuries that Nikita Hand had and claimed she had suffered at the hands of Conor McGregor.”
Nikita Hand arrives in court. Picture by: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie.Mr Greaney continued that the Hand side were unhappy with this turn of events, “to put it mildly”.
“They handed up a number of documents to the judge at the appeal hearing,” he said.
“Those documents were not opened in open court, because the judges felt that to do so could potentially - and it is important to say potentially - prejudice a potential criminal investigation if the DPP decides to go down that road.”
Supporters of Nikita Hand outside court. Picture by: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie.The judges went away, considered the documents for some time and returned to the court with an announcement.
“When they returned, they simply told both parties that it was their intention to refer the matter to the DPP,” Mr Greaney said.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions does not investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing, that’s the job of our police force, An Garda Síochána.
“It’s the DPP’s job to decide whether criminal prosecutions should be brought.
“We’re obviously not privy to what happens behind closed doors in the DPP’s office, but time will tell and we’ll certainly follow it with keen interest whether an investigation is opened into the alleged perjury.
"And whether that will lead to criminal charges being brought down the line.”
If you have been impacted by rape or sexual assault you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre 24-Hour National Helpline on 1800 77 8888.
Main image: Split of Conor McGregor and Nikita Hand. November 2024. Pictures by RollingNews.ie
