Conor McGregor’s appeal in a civil suit found liable for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in 2018 led to evidence that the evidence was handed over to prosecutors on potential perjury charges.
The court proceedings took place in Ireland this week, with lawyers for McGregor and Nikita Hand, the woman who allegedly assaulted her at a hotel in Dublin, a woman who was originally presented during the hearing and withheld evidence that was withdrawn.
The evidence centered on an affidavit provided in 2018 by two witnesses named Samantha O’Reilly and Stephen Cummins, who were Hand’s neighbors. The couple claimed they heard the allegations they had with McGall on the night of December 9th, 2018.
O’Reilly claims she saw her hand boyfriend push her and he saw him move as if he was punching and kicking her during the argument. Cummins then awakened to the screams and screams coming from the house at his hand, but claimed he hadn’t seen what actually happened.
The evidence was presented by McGregor’s lawyers as evidence that Hand’s documented injuries were caused by the altercation, not from the alleged assault.
Testimony and evidence were suddenly withdrawn by McGregor’s lawyer along with Hand’s lawyer, and then asked for an apology for the entire ordeal after the allegations were made public. At an earlier hearing, Hand’s lawyer told the court that “O’Reilly and her partner (Cummins) should be allowed to cross-examine McGregor and then introduce the issue of the perjury case to the perjury committee oversight and the person responsible for the submission of perjury to McGregor.
There is no ruling for appeal yet, but the judge overseeing the case said they are introducing the matter to the prosecutor’s chief. The prosecutor will look at the evidence and determine whether potential perjury is committed and anyone involved may face the possibility of criminal prosecution.
Numerous outlets covering the hearing reported news from the BBC and Irish Mirror.
McGregor’s first appeal came from a ju judge in 2018 who took the hands of sexual assault and ordered the former UFC champion to pay 248,603.60 euros (approximately $258,440) along with judicial fees.
Shortly after the trial ended, McGregor declared his innocence and vowed to sue the verdict of the case.
“People want to hear from me, I need time,” McGregor wrote this November. “I know I made a mistake. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreach. I should have closed the party. I shouldn’t have stepped into being the most beloved woman in the world.
“Just as I regret it, everything that happened that night was an agreement, and all witnesses that existed sworn to it under oath. I directed the legal team to appeal the decision.”
McGregor was not faced with criminal charges from the allegations, but in the civil lawsuit Hand’s lawyers alleged that their clients were “raped and abused” by Irish fighters. In court, McGregor claims he has agreed to sex with his hand, and although the encounter is “athletic and physical,” he denied raping her.
As the appeals judge is considering decisions regarding the case, there is no timeline for the Public Prosecutor’s Office to decide on any claims of potential perjury due to perjury.