Report: Conor McGregor appeal evidence sent to prosecutors over possible perjury claims

High Court 24 - P Ní Laimhin v McGregor & Anor — Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Conor McGregor’s appeal over a civil case where he was found liable for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in 2018 has now led to evidence being turned over to prosecutors on potential perjury charges.

The court proceedings took place in Ireland this week where attorneys for McGregor and Nikita Hand, the woman who claimed the UFC superstar assaulted her at a Dublin hotel, sparred over evidence that was initially presented and then withdrawn during the hearing.

The evidence centered around sworn affidavits provided by two witnesses named Samantha O’Reilly and Steven Cummins, who were Hand’s neighbors in 2018. The couple claimed in the sworn affidavits that they heard an argument between Hand and her then boyfriend on the night of Dec. 9, 2018 after the alleged assault took place with McGregor.

O’Reilly claimed that she witnessed Hand’s boyfriend push her and she saw him making a motion as though he were punching and kicking her during the argument. Cummins then claimed that he was woken up by screams and shouts coming from Hand’s house but did not see what actually happened.

The evidence was presented by McGregor’s attorneys as possible proof that Hand’s documented injuries were caused from that altercation and not the alleged assault.

The testimony and evidence were suddenly withdrawn by McGregor’s attorneys in court with Hand’s lawyer then asking for an apology over the entire ordeal after the claims were made public. During a previous hearing, Hand’s attorney told the court he should be allowed to “cross-examine Ms. O’Reilly and her partner and [Mr. Cummins] and then refer the matter for perjury proceedings to the Director of Public Prosecutions and subornation of perjury against Mr. McGregor.”

While there’s still no ruling on the appeal, the judges overseeing the case said they were referring the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Prosecutors will examine the evidence and determine if any potential perjury was committed and anyone involved could face possible criminal prosecution.

Numerous outlets covering the hearing reported the news including the BBC and the Irish Mirror.

McGregor’s initial appeal stemmed from a jury finding him liable for sexually assaulting Hand in 2018 and ordering the former UFC champion to pay €248,603.60 (approx. $258,440) in damages along with attorney fees.

Just after the trial ended, McGregor declared his innocence and vowed to appeal the verdict in the case.

“People want to hear from me, I needed time,” McGregor wrote this past November. “I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.

“As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.”

McGregor faced no criminal charges from the allegations but the civil case saw Hand’s attorneys successfully argue that their client was “raped and battered” by the Irish fighter. In court, McGregor claimed he had consensual sex with Hand and while the encounter was “athletic, physical,” he denied raping her.

There’s no timeline for the Department of Public Prosecutions to decide on the potential perjury allegations as the judges in the appeal hearing weigh their decision on the case.

Report: Conor McGregor appeal evidence sent to prosecutors over possible perjury claims

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