Conor McGregor says sex with rape accuser was consensual

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PA Media Conor McGregor with closely cropped hair and beard and wearing a blue suit and white tie walks out of courtPA Media

McGregor and James Lawrence deny Nikita Hand’s claims

Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor says sex he had with a woman who accuses him of rape was consensual, a court has heard.

Nikita Hand is seeking civil damages against Mr McGregor and another man, claiming she was sexually assaulted in December 2018.

Ms Hand has accused Mr McGregor of holding her to a bed and raping her in a Dublin hotel room.

The court also heard on Wednesday that DNA samples matching McGregor’s profile were found on the body and underwear of Ms Hand.

Dr. Charlotte Murphy said she analyzed DNA swabs taken from Ms Hand’s body and clothing after the alleged assault.

Profiles matching Mr McGregor’s profile were found by analyzing semen stains on the toys and underwear.

During cross-examination, Dr. Murphy that the presence or absence of semen did not indicate consent.

The other accused, James Lawrence, of Rafters Road in Drimnagh, Dublin, was ruled out as a contributor to any of the DNA profiles.

PA Media Nikita Hand is wearing a black jacket and a white shirt. She has fair hair and wears earrings. She is outside a courthouse. There is a woman out of focus behind her.PA Media

Nikita Hand is seeking civil damages for an alleged sexual assault in 2018

Dr. Murphy also said both straps were torn on the tracksuit Ms Hand was wearing.

John McMahon, the co-owner of the Dublin hair salon where Ms Hand worked, said she had returned to work after the incident but had struggled and resigned in May 2019.

Vocational assessor Elva Breen said that after the incident Mrs Hand had great difficulty working in a customer-facing role and struggled with significant anxiety and panic attacks.

Ms Hand’s case is now closed.

When Conor McGregor took the stand on Wednesday, he accused Ms Hand of lying.

“She didn’t get her bruises from me as far as I know,” Mr McGregor said.

Conor McGregor said Ms Hand performed oral sex on him and said the sex was enthusiastic and athletic.

He also said as he left Ms. Wish she wasn’t sad or sad.

Danielle Kealey, who was called to give evidence for Mr McGregor, was there on the night of the alleged rape.

She said she did not know Mrs Hand well because they worked in different salons.

Ms Kealey told the court they were collected by Mr McGregor from the salon and after collecting Mr Lawrence, they were taken to the Beacon Hotel.

She said she knew Ms Hand and Mr McGregor went into the bedroom, but she did not know what happened in the room.

She said they “came back out and everything was fine”.

She was asked if anyone seemed upset and she said no.

McGregor will return to the stand on Thursday when the case resumes.