The Court of Appeal in Ireland has rejected Conor McGregor’s attempt to overturn a civil ruling that held him responsible for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018.
The judgment, delivered on July 31, 2025, dismissed all five points raised by McGregor’s legal team.
The original ruling in November 2024 ordered him to pay nearly €250,000 in damages to Hand, along with legal costs estimated at €1.3 million.
McGregor has denied the allegation, claiming the encounter was consensual.
His legal challenge focused on how the jury was instructed and whether his police statements were improperly used.
The judges found that the jury received clear direction and were able to fully understand the nature of the accusation.
They also ruled that references to McGregor’s silence during police questioning did not unfairly affect the outcome.
An effort by McGregor’s legal team to introduce new evidence was unexpectedly withdrawn before the hearing. The court took note of the move but continued with the scheduled decision.
Hand, who was present at the hearing, expressed relief that the ruling had been confirmed.
She has said the appeal process caused further emotional harm but was glad to see the case resolved.
A separate appeal from co-defendant James Lawrence, who was previously cleared of liability but sought legal cost recovery, was also dismissed by the court.
With no further legal moves announced so far, the court’s ruling finalizes the financial and legal outcome of the civil case against McGregor.