Latest news with #NikitaHand
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Public expressed outrage at Conor McGregor's meeting with Donald Trump
Members of the public expressed their anger at Conor McGregor's St Patrick's Day meeting with US president Donald Trump in messages to Taoiseach Micheál Martin. The vast majority of messages were critical of McGregor, with many accusing the UFC fighter of "hijacking our identity". Advertisement Mr Martin met the US president on March 12th, and the Government was blindsided by McGregor's St Patrick's Day trip to the White House, in which he made a number of unfounded claims about immigration into Ireland. Claims McGregor made about crime levels in Dublin were also found to be from a discredited 'study' published by an online gambling company. In messages to the Taoiseach, seen by after a Freedom of Information request, people expressed anger at McGregor's White House appearance. At 10.15pm on March 17th, one email to Mr Martin read: "You did a great job on your recent visit to the White House, congratulations on your diplomacy, but I'm furious with that clown (and I'm being generous) McGregor hijacking our identity." Advertisement The email continued: "He doesn't speak for us, please don't let this go!" In messages to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, members of the public expressed anger over Conor McGregor's White House meeting with Donald Trump. The majority of the emails referred to the legal action in which a jury found McGregor civilly liable in a case taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ní Laimhín (35), was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault. A judge at the High Court in Dublin later said the jury had 'conclusively determined' that McGregor had raped Ms Hand in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford on December 9th, 2018 . McGregor is appealing against the outcome. Advertisement A lengthy email addressed to Mr Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris read: "First, the invitation extended to Enoch Burke's family, and now, the carefully orchestrated elevation of Conor McGregor to take centre stage on St Patrick's Day. It is clear now that your meeting with president Trump was deliberately scheduled for the 12th, ensuring that McGregor would be given the international platform on the 17th in your absence. "Allowing him to speak as if he represents us, he insulted not just those of us in Ireland, but the 75+ million people worldwide who hold their Irish heritage close to their hearts. This was not a misstep or unfortunate oversight, it was deliberate, calculated, and a disgrace. I urge you both, Taoiseach and Tánaiste, to draw the line now. To stand up, not just as a diplomat, but as an Irish leader with dignity. I fully understand the necessity of diplomacy, but at what cost?" McGregor does not define Ireland. The author called on the Government to address McGregor's appearance directly with Mr Trump. "McGregor does not define Ireland. Musk does not define Ireland. Trump does not define Ireland. But if we allow these insults to go unchecked, we risk losing control over who gets to represent us. I sincerely hope that you will not let this moment pass without a clear, public statement condemning what has happened. We may be a small country, but we are a proud and dignified one, and that should count for something." Advertisement Another email criticised Mr Martin for not stepping in when Mr Trump praised McGregor during their White House meeting on March 12th. Speaking in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said: 'I do happen to like your fighter.' 'He's got the best tattoos I've ever seen,' he said, referring to Mr McGregor. 'Conor's great, right. But you have a lot of great Irish fighters actually, great fighters," Mr Trump continued, before moving on to ask the Taoiseach about his father's boxing career. Advertisement Two messages expressed support for McGregor's views on immigration. "Regarding the recent coverage of Conor McGregor's visit to the White House, the three of you have been quick to criticise him, insisting that he does not speak for Ireland. You are wrong. While his visit and remarks were self-initiated, a significant portion of the Irish public agrees with his message far more than agree with any of you, even combined." One person wrote: "Before you dismiss me as just another critic, understand this: I have financially contributed to each of your parties multiple times, up to the maximum €600 per donation, and considerably more to Leo Varadkar before I saw through him. I have stood in social settings with each of you, exchanged words, and am someone you are all comfortable speaking to in your own circles. "The fact that the President of the United States chose to engage with McGregor rather than with career politicians like yourselves should be a wake-up call. Instead of sounding weak, jealous, and desperate in your attempts to discredit him, perhaps you should reflect on why he commands the support of both the Irish people and the US President, while your own standing continues to erode." World President Donald Trump says Vladimir Putin 'has go... Read More One person praised Mr Martin and Mr Harris for their response to McGregor's meeting with Mr Trump. "I am particularly proud of the way both you and Simon Harris have responded to what happened yesterday with Conor McGregor- you are right, he does not speak for me. Thank you for being so clear and unequivocal about it." Another person wrote: "I firmly believe that by inviting McGregor to the White House for St Patrick's Day, Donald Trump and his team have deliberately undermined you, the Irish government and more so the Irish public. "While I understand the importance of 'playing politics' there has to come a point where we stop kowtowing to our supposed friends in America especially if they're welcoming our convicted criminals into the White House."
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Twelve nominations for Irish Independent and Sunday Independent journalists for Justice Media Awards
Awarded by the Law Society of Ireland, the Justice Media Awards are the longest-running media awards in the country and recognise the highest standards of excellence in legal journalism. Special Correspondent Catherine Fegan has received three nominations across as many categories, the first for her story speaking to survivors of sexual abuse, who told of the difficult decision to waive their anonymity so the perpetrators could be named. She has also been shortlisted for her coverage of the civil rape case brought against MMA fighter Conor McGregor, where a jury found he assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018 and ordered him to pay almost €250,000 in damages. The headline of her article read: 'Nikita Hand v Conor McGregor: The moment the mask slipped.' McGregor is currently attempting to appeal the High Court civil jury finding. Ms Fegan has also been nominated in the human rights and social justice reporting category for her story speaking to survivors of abuse at schools about the trauma they faced and their fight for justice. Legal Affairs Editor Shane Phelan has been shortlisted for his coverage of the key factors that may have swayed the jury in Nikita Hand's case against Conor McGregor in the court reporting category. Sunday Independent journalist Mark Tighe received his first of three nominations for his story on 'how one woman took on the world's most 'notorious' fighter and triumphed'. He was also nominated alongside Joe Molloy and the Indo Sport podcast team for their podcast episode 'Nikita Hand wins David and Goliath case against Conor McGregor'. Mr Tighe and RTÉ Investigates' Marie Crowe have been nominated for their joint investigation 'Field of Broken Dreams', in which multiple female footballers claimed they were subjected to unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances from FAI coaches in the 1990s. ADVERTISEMENT Ireland Editor Fionnán Sheahan has been nominated for his coverage of a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) independent investigation surrounding it's director general Professor Philip Nolan. He has also been nominated alongside the Indo Daily podcast team in the podcast category for their episode ''Wanted': Gardaí release images of 99 Dublin riot suspects, is it a worrying precedent?', which was released last November. News correspondent Ellen Coyne has been shortlisted in the human rights and social justice reporting category for her coverage of how domestic violence victims are forced into homelessness by a lack of refuge spaces. Sunday Independent journalist Ali Bracken has received two nods in total, including for her story about assault victim Natasha O'Brien as she prepared to return to court to face her attacker and for the legal road still faced by the family of Valerie French in the years after her husband James Kilroy was convicted of her murder.
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Irish Times
Conor McGregor's appeal over civil rape case outcome ready to proceed in July
Conor McGregor's appeal against a High Court civil jury finding in favour of Nikita Hand, who alleged he raped her in a Dublin hotel, is ready to proceed in July, a judge was told today. Ms Hand has described as 'lies' claims in an affidavit by Samantha O'Reilly, a former neighbour of hers, that bruising on her body which she alleges was caused by Mr McGregor in the Beacon hotel on December 9th 2018 may have been caused following an alleged row between Ms Hand and her then partner in their home hours later. In a responding affidavit, Ms Hand said her then partner, Stephen Redmond, did not assault her on the night of December 9th/10th 2018 'and never assaulted me in the course of our relationship or since'. She and Mr Redmond had had a verbal argument downstairs in their house that night, a recording of which was played during the High Court case, but that was not so loud that Ms O'Reilly could have heard it, she also said. READ MORE She did not want to speculate on why Ms O'Reilly and her partner Steven Cummins 'are making up these lies' about events on that night, Ms Hand said. Mr McGregor wants to have affidavits from Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins admitted for his appeal against the civil jury finding last November in favour of Ms Hand. The jury awarded her almost €250,000 damages. During a case management hearing on Friday, Mr Justice Seamus Noonan was told by Shelley Horan, for Mr McGregor, the appeal was on track on proceed on July 1st and her side's submissions would be filed later on Friday. When the judge was told by counsel for Ms Hand her side were still considering whether to seek an affidavit from Mr Redmond, the judge said he would give them seven days to provide any such affidavit. The appeal court will decide, during the full hearing of the appeal, whether the affidavits from Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins, sworn last January, are admissible. Ms O'Reilly has alleged that, on the night of December 9th/10th 2018, she had observed from the upstairs window of her house a row between Ms Hand and Mr Redmond. Ms O'Reilly had said she inferred, from movements of Ms Hand's body, that Mr Redmond had assaulted her on the ground and this explained the bruising on her body seen the next day. The mixed martial arts fighter had persistently denied he assaulted Ms Hand and claims the new material came into his possession after the High Court case and provides a 'plausible' explanation for bruising on Ms Hand's body. The extensive bruising seen on Ms Hand's body when she was examined by a doctor in the Rotunda hospital the day after her encounter with Mr McGregor in the hotel was significant evidence in the High Court case. Gardaí also took photos of the bruising on Tuesday December 11th 2018. Mr McGregor's grounds of appeal are wide-ranging, including claims over the conduct of the 12-day High Court hearing by Mr Justice Alexander Owens. Some grounds focus on whether the trial judge erred in directing the jury be asked to answer whether or not Mr McGregor 'assaulted' Ms Hand rather than whether or not he had 'sexually assaulted' her. In evidence to the High Court, Ms Hand, a 36-year-old mother of one, said she told Mr McGregor she did not want to have intercourse with him, she felt uncomfortable, but he 'would not take no for an answer'. She was wearing a tampon at the time and would not have sex during her period, she said. Mr McGregor denied rape and said he and Ms Hand had 'fully consensual', 'vigorous', 'athletic' sex. He said he was shocked when later shown photos of bruising on Ms Hand, he had not caused them and there was no tampon. When charging the jury, Mr Justice Owens told them if a person proves they were subject by another person to non-consensual sexual activity, that is the tort [a civil wrong causing harm or loss leading to legal liability] of assault. The jury found James Lawrence (35), of Rafter's Road, Drimnagh, had not assaulted Ms Hand through allegedly having sex with her without her consent in the Beacon hotel. Mr Lawrence's appeal against the trial judge's refusal to order Ms Hand to pay his legal costs of the trial will be heard alongside Mr McGregor's appeal.
Sunday World
07-05-2025
- Sunday World
Episode 988: Conor McGregor's bid to introduce 'bombshell' new evidence in Nikita Hand civil rape case appeal
The Court of Appeal today heard details of the witness' claims as part of the ex-UFC star's bid to seek a retrial of last year's civil rape case. Conor McGregor outside court during the civil case taken against him by Nikita Hand. Photo: Collins Courts A neighbour of Nikita Hand has alleged she saw her being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend just hours after she claims she was raped by Conor McGregor. The Court of Appeal today heard details of the witness' claims as part of the ex-UFC star's bid to seek a retrial of last year's civil rape case. However, Ms Hand's legal team branded the claim as lies and said they should not be accepted as part of the appeal. Niall speaks to Sunday World news editor Eimear Rabbitt about Conor McGregor's high-stakes appeal. MORE EPISODES
