Why Conor McGregor won’t go to jail after losing sexual assault case | Other | Sport

Conor McGregor will avoid prison despite losing his sexual assault civil case, where he was accused of raping a woman in a Dublin hotel back in 2018.

The UFC star has been embroiled in legal proceedings for the better part of two weeks after Nikita Hand alleged he left her “brutally raped and battered” following an event at the Beacon Hotel nearly six years ago.

Found liable for assaulting Ms. Hand, McGregor is now ordered to pay her over £200,000 in damages, as decided by a jury comprising eight women and four men.

Despite the verdict, McGregor won’t face incarceration since the trial was civil, not criminal, after Ireland’s director of public prosecutions chose not to pursue criminal charges against him.

In Irish civil law, unlike criminal cases, neither party is granted automatic anonymity during court proceedings. A visibly upset McGregor, who sighed heavily and fought back tears while being consoled by his mother and fianceee in court, shook his head in dismay before exiting the courtroom at the end of the trial.

McGregor declined to comment as he was whisked away from the courthouse, while Ms. Hand delivered an emotional statement after her hard-fought win.

The ex-UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion has disclosed his intention to challenge the verdict.

He announced on X (formerly Twitter): “I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.

“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”