The accuser in Conor McGregor’s rape ‘suffered serious injuries’, court heard

A woman who claims she was raped by Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has suffered serious physical and psychological injuries as a result of the alleged attack, a Dublin court has heard.

Nikita Hand, who is seeking civil damages against McGregor and another man, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the alleged incident in December 2018.

A paramedic told the High Court in Dublin that she had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time when she examined Ms Hand the day after she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Advanced paramedic Eithne Scully said Ms Hand was “very upset and distressed” and wanted to “curl up” when she spoke to her.

Mr McGregor faces an allegation in the civil suit that he “brutally raped and assaulted” Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin.

The court previously heard that Ms Hand was picked up by Mr McGregor and her boyfriend after a work Christmas party on December 8 and taken to a penthouse suite in a south Dublin hotel.

On Tuesday, Ms Scully said she and another paramedic, Neil Dempsey, took Ms Hand in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital’s sexual assault unit.

Footage of Ms Hand in the back of the ambulance was played to the court.

Ms Scully said Ms Hand’s main concern was that a tampon had been “pushed up way too far”, and she was in pain.

In evidence to the court, Ms Scully said she could see a small cut on her chin and there appeared to be some bruising on her lower neck.

During an examination, she noticed bruising around her chest, chest, down her legs, as well as around her buttocks and thighs.

When asked about the severity of the bruising, Ms Scully told the court she had not seen someone so bruised in a long time.

The court also heard from Ms Hand’s doctor, Dr Frank Clarke, who said she had been diagnosed with PTSD and had attended counseling in the weeks after the alleged incident.

He said he had been treating Ms Hand since she was a child, and that she had a history of anxiety and struggled with her self-confidence – and had previously been given low doses of medication to help her.

He said that after her PTSD diagnosis, she was given stronger medications, which he said helped her cope with the peaks of her emotional pain.

Dr. Clarke said the drug has a calming effect and helps people who suffer from night terrors, panic attacks and severe anxiety.

He said they are only used in the short term because they can be abused.

Mrs Hand was prescribed some of the tablets, which helped with her sleep, anxiety and emotional problems – but he said it was “not a good route to go”.

“In general, we are strongly against using these on an ongoing basis,” he added.

Dr. Clarke said Ms Hand has struggled with her PTSD and self-esteem over the years.

He said the symptoms of PTSD include losing hope, hating themselves, drinking too much and behaving in ways that are out of character.

He said Ms Hand has been given ongoing counseling and medication to help her with her condition.

He also said Ms Hand was committed to not becoming dependent on medication and was determined to continue using counseling as a form of treatment.

The court was told that PTSD is caused by an “extremely stressful or frightening event”.

The person may be part of the event or witness it.

The court was told Ms Hand suffers from flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts.

Dr. Clarke said she has visited his practice recently, sometimes alone and sometimes with her mother, and they tried to support each other but struggled to cope.

He said Ms Hand had to leave her work as a hairdresser because the alleged event happened after a Christmas work party, that people at her work knew about it and that people coming into the salon had talked about it.

The GP said Mrs Hand was struggling to cope, her relationship with her former partner had broken down and she was struggling to support her mother.

He also said Ms Hand has found it difficult to undergo routine health procedures, including a smear test.

He said it has been “incredibly difficult” for his patient, and he hopes she can resume monitoring soon.

Ms Hand was examined by psychiatrist Dr Ann Leader, who specializes in treating people suspected of being victims of sexual abuse.

Dr. Leader, who has nearly 50 years of experience in psychiatry, has treated approximately 5,000 cases throughout her career.

Dr. Leader told the court that Mrs Hand suffered from nightmares, was distant from friends, felt she was losing control of her life and felt she was not there for her daughter or partner.

When asked about her mental state at the time, Dr. Leader on Ms. Hand: “She was anxious, she was tearful and in my opinion she came across as someone who was traumatized.”

Earlier, Judge Alexander Owens told the court that in recent days it emerged that someone watching the case remotely had taken a photo or screenshot of the hearing.

Judge Owens said he has a “vague opinion” on the incident, adding that it is a data breach and contempt of court.

The case, which is now under investigation, was presented to the court by a journalist.

The case continues.