By Daily Mail (World News) | Created at 2024-11-25 16:50:28 | Updated at 2024-11-25 19:25:34
2 hours ago
The mother of the woman who won a civil sexual assault case against Conor McGregor launched legal action against the UFC fighter and his co-defendant on the same day as her daughter's case was filed, it has emerged.
Nikita Hand, 35, launched a civil action against McGregor claiming he 'brutally raped and battered' her at a hotel in Dublin in December 2018.
On Friday, she was awarded €250,000 after a jury in a civil court found McGregor had sexually assaulted her.
Ms Hand lost a second separate lawsuit against McGregor's friend, James Lawrence, who she also accused of assaulting her on the same night out.
It has now been reported that her mother, Deborah Ní Laimhin, filed a civil case against McGregor and Lawrence on January 18, 2021 - the same day as her daughter brought proceedings against the two men almost four years ago.
But the case has not progressed, Sunday World reports, and it is unclear whether Ms Ní Laimhin's civil action will move forward, with no court date scheduled.
The nature of the civil complaint is unclear and Ms Ní Laimhin's lawyers have reportedly refused to comment on the matter.
The court heard evidence that Ms Hand went to her mother's home on the morning of December 10 to seek help after the tampon she had been wearing during the assault by McGregor became stuck inside her.
Nikita Hand (centre), who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, leaves the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against Conor McGregor
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him
On seeing her daughter, Ms Ní Laimhin called both the gardai and paramedics, and Ms Hand was taken to the Rotunda Hospital in an ambulance accompanied by her mother, the court was told.
Eithne Scully, an advanced paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade with over 16 years' experience, told the court: 'I haven't seen somebody so bruised in all my time.'
Dr Daniel Kane, the gynecologist who assessed her at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, told the court that her tampon had been wedged at the very top of her cervix and had to be removed with forceps.
He added that Ms Hand had suffered extensive bruising over her body, at a moderate to severe level only seen in 10 per cent of his patients.
Dr Ann Leader, a psychiatrist who told the court she had seen over 5,000 cases of alleged sexual abuse, said that following the attack Ms Hand was showing classical symptoms of someone who had been traumatised, and who was suffering from PTSD, including suicidal feelings, panic attacks, flashbacks, depression and anxiety.
Ms Hand ultimately made a lengthy statement to gardai in January 2019.
Speaking to The Sunday Times after the verdict was delvered on Friday, Ms Ní Laimhin said that her daughter would remain 'scarred' by her ordeal.
'It will always be there, it will always be with her,' she said. 'But we will try to move on in the best way we can.'
Deborah Ní Laimhin said that her daughter would remain 'scarred' by her ordeal
She added that the verdict is 'still sinking in' but that she was relieved and had 'got the outcome she deserved'.
In an emotional statement outside court on Friday, Ms Hand thanked her mother and said she had been 'overwhelmed' by the support she had received.
'I want to thank my mam and all my family and friends. Lastly, I want to thank my daughter Freya who I am most grateful for.
She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice.'
Ms Hand lost a second separate lawsuit against McGregor's friend, James Lawrence, who she also accused of assaulting her on the same night out
She added that she hoped her case would encourage other victims to keep 'pushing forward' for justice.
'I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice,' she said.
'I know this has impacted not only my life, my daughter's, my family and friends tremendously.
'It's something that I'll never forget for the rest of my life.
'Now that justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family and friends and daughter.'
In an emotional statement outside court on Friday, Ms Hand thanked her mother and said she had been 'overwhelmed' by the support she had received
McGregor has vowed to appeal the decision on social media, claiming that not all the evidence was reviewed and saying he was 'disappointed' with the decision.
In a now-deleted post, McGregor said: 'I will be appealing yesterday's decision. The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.
'I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.'
