MMA fighter Conor McGregor raped woman in Dublin hotel, court told

According to statements made in Dublin's high court, Conor McGregor, the Irish mixed martial arts fighter, is accused of raping a woman at a hotel in the city.

Nikita Ní Laimhín is seeking compensation through a civil lawsuit against McGregor and another individual, accusing them of a sexual assault that took place in 2018.

However, during the court proceedings on Tuesday, McGregor's attorneys argued that Ní Laimhín, who does not have an inherent right to privacy, is trying to blackmail him.

The fighter known as "Notorious" appeared in court to listen as Justice Alexander Owens informed the jury about the allegations that Ní Laimhín was sexually assaulted by McGregor and James Lawrence on December 9.

The judge stated that it was claimed the two individuals had essentially assaulted her.

The court heard that McGregor picked up Ní Laimhín, a Dublin-based hairdresser, along with her friend following a Christmas party on December 8.

John Gordon SC, representing Ní Laimhín, stated that she and McGregor were acquaintances. They were of similar ages, hailed from the same neighborhood, shared friends, and had interacted on social media at different points in time.

At that time, she was residing in the Dublin neighborhood of Drimnagh with her partner and their seven-year-old daughter. On the evening of the supposed event, she had been out socializing with friends.

Gordon mentioned that McGregor was extremely well-known and seen as a "hero" by people in Drimnagh.

He stated that his client was “far from perfect” and “doesn’t act like she is perfect.” On that particular evening, she had been drinking and used some cocaine. The court was also informed that she battled depression and had been prescribed antidepressants.

The court heard that later that night, Ní Laimhín and two of her friends went back to her salon, where the celebration continued. At some point, she reached out to McGregor. He picked her and her friend up in his car, and Ní Laimhín believed they were heading to another gathering.

McGregor was in the back seat alongside two women, as his driver navigated through residential neighborhoods and honked the horn. They eventually made their way to Lawrence's house, where he hopped in the car with them.

The court heard that McGregor had a bag of cocaine, which he shared with Ní Laimhín and her companion.

In Dublin, McGregor, along with his security team and a few others, headed to a penthouse suite at the Beacon hotel. According to court statements, they were enjoying drinks and sharing laughs together.

At one moment, McGregor reportedly entered a bedroom and called for Ní Laimhín to come over. The court heard that McGregor made advances toward her, but she was not interested in having sex because she was menstruating.

Gordon informed the court that she claimed McGregor held her down on the bed and that she couldn't physically resist him. "She will mention that she felt anxious and attempted to get him off, but she was entirely powerless to do so," he continued.

You'll come across images showing her hands and wrists, which are marked with bruises. You'll notice a bloody scratch on her left breast, caused by her watch. She raised her arms to shield herself, but when she was pushed down, the watch left a mark on her skin.

Mr. McGregor then turns her onto her back and puts her arm in a hold, pulling her up by the neck. She struggles to catch her breath, and he repeats the move once more.

After he does it for the third time, she finally surrenders. She can't fight this feeling any longer. During all this, he remarks, “Now you understand what it felt like for me in the Octagon when I fell three times.”

At that moment, she was filled with fear. She had no choice but to face what was coming next—a brutal and brutal attack.

It was later claimed that she had an intimate encounter with Lawrence, but Gordon stated that she had no memory of this incident occurring.

Ní Laimhín returned home and saw her mother, who then dialed 999 for help. An ambulance took her to the hospital. During the court proceedings, it was mentioned that she was trembling and in distress while being transported to the hospital.

Gordon stated, "In response to this situation, Mr. McGregor will argue that the interaction was mutual, claiming they were simply enjoying themselves and engaging in some rough play. That's his explanation."

"What did I mention regarding common sense? Don’t make the mistake of abandoning it in this courtroom. What he’s implying is that she somehow permitted him to carry out what must have been a violent attack on her."

The court also received testimony from Dr. Daniel Keane, a gynecologist who also serves as a forensic expert in sexual assault investigations.

He informed the court that he was employed in the emergency room at the Rotunda hospital in Dublin when Ní Laimhín arrived by ambulance.

Keane expressed that she felt "extremely distressed" and was "trembling and in tears." He recounted to the court that they needed to provide her with a blanket to sit on because of the discomfort she was experiencing.

In his report, he mentioned that Ní Laimhín had informed him that morning that the person accused of the assault had grabbed her by the neck and was restricting her ability to breathe. He testified in court that she expressed she no longer struggled against him and believed he intended to take her life.

Keane described significant bruising all over Ní Laimhín's body—on her face, arms, fingers, forearms, knuckles, legs, lower back, and buttocks. Additionally, there was a 9 cm scratch on her left breast.

She also mentioned that Ní Laimhín was concerned about the tampon she had inserted that night. He described how he needed to use forceps to extract the tampon, which had become stuck inside.

He informed the court that he had conducted numerous examinations on women and noted that the level of bruising on Ní Laimhín was "rather uncommon."

The defense argued in the evidence booklet that Ní Laimhín had multiple chances to speak out about her treatment but chose not to. They also alleged that she was trying to carry out an act of extortion, as stated in court.

Gordon mentioned that people were labeling his client as a "gold digger and a fraud." He remarked, "That takes courage. But where is the true courage in this situation? The real bravery lies with my client."

"She fought for the justice and compensation she deserves. You'll take into account how casually and dismissively the defendants handled her claims."

Earlier, the jury was officially sworn in at the high court and informed that they would serve as the fact-finders in the case. They needed to come to a conclusion based on the evidence presented and their own judgment.

The activity is anticipated to continue for approximately two weeks.