The civil assault case against former UFC champion Conor McGregor began this week in Dublin, Ireland, with the plaintiff publicly accusing McGregor of rape. The case centers on an alleged incident where McGregor is accused of luring a heavily intoxicated woman to the residence of co-defendant James Lawrence, where she was allegedly assaulted.
During the opening statements, lawyer John Gordon SC detailed an evening in which a Dublin hairdresser, who remains unnamed, had been drinking and using cocaine at a Christmas party before coming into contact with McGregor. The plaintiff and a friend are said to have gotten into a vehicle with McGregor, thinking they were heading to another party, but instead arrived at Lawrence’s home.
At Lawrence’s property, McGregor allegedly “pinned down” the plaintiff, with her lawyer claiming she was “completely terrified” and left with bruises and scratches. The plaintiff also claims to have been assaulted by both McGregor and Lawrence, but has no memory of the events.
The following day, the plaintiff’s mother reportedly sent her daughter to the hospital, describing her as “an absolute wreck, constantly weeping, shivering, in pain, and unable to get comfortable.”
Key witness Dr. Daniel Kane, a gynecologist at Rotunda Hospital, testified that the plaintiff had multiple bruises and appeared to be in distress when he examined her. Dr. Kane noted that his findings were consistent with the victim’s account of the events, and that she seemed to have difficulty remembering the previous evening. The plaintiff also reportedly mentioned a fear of being killed due to the force applied to her neck during the assault.
The plaintiff herself also testified on the first day, recalling how she told McGregor she was uncomfortable when he allegedly attempted to make advances, but he “wasn’t taking no for an answer.”
The trial is expected to last for two weeks. McGregor faced initial civil charges in 2021, following a year-long investigation by Irish prosecutors, who ultimately decided not to pursue criminal charges. Though details of the lawsuit were not publicly available until now, McGregor’s spokesperson had previously “categorically rejected” the claims and expressed confidence that “justice will prevail.”
