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McEntee commends Nikita Hand over McGregor case

PA Media Ms Hand has long blonde hair and is wearing makeup. She is wearing a black suit jacket with a blue shirt.PA Media
Ms Hand accused the MMA fighter of rape after a night out in 2018

Ireland's justice minister has commended a Dublin woman for her "bravery and determination" after winning a civil case against Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor.

Nikita Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court in the Irish capital on Friday.

The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was €248,603.60 (£206,714.31).

McGregor has indicated on social media that he intends to appeal the decision.

PA Media Helen McEntee, a woman with blonde hair. She is pictured from the shoulders up. The background of the image is blurred. PA Media
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said Nikita Hand had shown "there is light at the end of the tunnel"

Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised Ms Hand's bravery and said she had shown "there is light at the end of the tunnel".

"I just want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been - I've no doubt - a very, very difficult time for her and indeed, for her family," McEntee said.

She added: "Because of wonderful people like Nikita, I hope that it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there are supports available to people, and that there is justice at the end of the day."

DPP's decision

Ms Hand had also taken a case against another man, James Lawrence, 35, of Rafter's Road, Drimnagh in Dublin.

She alleged that he assaulted her by having sex with her without her consent in the Beacon Hotel.

The jury found that he did not assault her.

Ms Hand said in a statement outside court on Friday that she hoped her case would remind victims of assault to keep "pushing forward for justice".

Describing the past six years as "a nightmare", she said: "I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served."

During the case, Ms Hand said she was "disappointed and upset" that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to prosecute after she made a complaint to the Irish police.

In a letter to her in August 2020, the DPP said there was "insufficient evidence" and there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction.

Ms Hand asked the DPP to review the decision, saying she felt she was being treated differently because one of the suspects was famous.

Reuters Conor McGregor, pictured from the chest up, wearing a navy tweed suit, a white shirt and a navy tie. He has tight brown hair and a brown beard. He is looking towards the ground.Reuters
Conor McGregor has been ordered ordered to pay Nikita Hand almost €250,000 in damages

Asked about the DPP's decision not to prosecute, Ms McEntee said: "We have a very independent system in this country, and I think that's right.

"Our DPP, she's independent in the decisions that are taken, and for good reasons that there should never be any political interference in that process.

"There is always an option for an individual to ask for reasons to be outlined as to why the DPP made a particular decision, and that is open to any individual or any case, but I have, since becoming minister, given priority to and enabled a new office within the DPP to open specifically focused on sexual offences, so that this issue can be given the focus and the priority that it needs."

Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris has spoken by phone to Ms Hand to express solidarity with her.