Conor McGregor arrives in court ahead of civil case against MMA star - amid claims he and another man 'sexually assaulted a woman in a Dublin hotel in 2018'

McGregor was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Dublin hotel in 2018
In 2021, prosecutors declined to charge McGregor for the alleged attack
As a result, a civil claim for damages was brought before the Supreme Court

By James Cohen

Published: 13:15 GMT, November 5, 2024 | Updated: 13:19 GMT, November 5, 2024

Conor McGregor was seen in court over a civil assault claim arising from an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

In March 2019, reports emerged claiming the MMA legend was being investigated for sexually assaulting a woman months earlier – which a spokesperson later claimed was a “rumor” and was “absolutely false.”

As a result, two years later, prosecutors declined to prosecute McGregor for the alleged assault, and a civil claim for damages was instead filed in the Supreme Court.

The woman in question is pursuing a civil damages claim against McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, who both deny the civil assault claim.

On Tuesday morning, McGregor was seen at court wearing a navy blue suit and matching tie. He seemed emotionally reserved as he walked in with his father Tony.

Conor McGregor was seen in court over a civil assault claim arising from an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel in 2018

A spokesperson for McGregor claimed at the time that it was a ‘rumor’ and was ‘absolutely untrue’.

The woman who made the claim said the incident took place at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where McGregor reportedly stays occasionally

The action is expected to last two weeks and the judge has asked the jury to make themselves available for three weeks because the case could take longer.

The judge told the jury that this case is not a criminal case, but a civil case of assault.

Details about the accuser – Nikita Ni Laimhin – emerged on Tuesday revealing that she is a 35-year-old hair colourist and was 29 in 2018 when the alleged incident took place.

At an open court hearing, John Gordon SC – representing the prosecution – claimed Laimhin was ‘partying hard’, had ‘a lot to drink’ and also had some cocaine.

He claims that when Laimhin got hold of him after the incident, “she was an absolute wreck. Constantly crying, shaking, in pain and unable to feel comfortable.’

The incident is said to have taken place at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin.

McGregor has been in a relationship with Dee Devlin since 2008. They have four children

Despite being perhaps the biggest name in his sport, McGregor has had a number of run-ins with police in recent years

He was questioned by police but released without charge and in 2021 Irish prosecutors announced that they had not laid charges in either case.

The first accuser – Laimhin – filed a civil lawsuit against McGregor and the case is still ongoing.

Despite being perhaps the biggest name in his sport, McGregor has had a number of run-ins with police in recent years.

McGregor and fiancée Dee Devlin have four children: Conor Jr., Croia Mairhead, Rian and Mack, whom they welcomed in November last year.

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