Conor McGregor told police his rape accuser 'moaned with pleasure'

Conor McGregor told police during questioning that the woman who accused him of raping her 'moaned with pleasure' during a 'long session' of sex in a hotel, a court has heard, as the civil case against him draws to a close.

The MMA fighter read out a pre-prepared statement he had given to Gardai when he was questioned about the alleged rape on January 17, 2019, describing it in court as 'my version of events'.

Mr McGregor, who is facing an accusation in the civil action that he 'brutally raped and battered' Nikita Hand, was cross-examined in Dublin's High Court on Thursday.

He claimed to the court that he had consensual sex with 35-year-old Ms Hand in a penthouse in the Beacon Hotel in south Dublin.

The jury has heard eight days of evidence, and retired today before they are due to return on Tuesday to hear closing speeches and the judge's charge.

The court previously heard that the mother-of-one was left with extensive bruises and abrasions over her body, including purple and blue bruising along her hands and wrists, a bloodied scratch on her breast and tenderness on her neck after she was allegedly placed in a 'choke-hold' by Mr McGregor.

Mr McGregor has denied that he caused the bruising across her body, saying they could have been caused when she 'swan dived' into the bath in the hotel room.

Today Dr Basil John Farnan, former principal forensic medical officer for Northern Ireland, was the final witness called in the High Court action. He was asked to explain how bruising can come about and how quickly it can appear on the skin. 

The GP told the court that bruising can be different in size and colour and that there can be a delay in its appearance.

Dr Farnan said that bruises can appear hours after the trauma, or there can be a longer delay.

As well as Mr McGregor, Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, is also suing another man, James Lawrence, for sexual assault on December 9, 2018.

The mother-of-one, who has no automatic right to anonymity, has accused Mr McGregor of pinning her to a bed and raping her in a hotel bedroom in south Dublin.

Mr McGregor has denied the claims, and today read aloud a statement he gave to police about the night in question containing graphic details.

'It was a long session,' he read. 'For instance, at one point, she had her legs on my shoulders… then she had her legs wrapped around my waist,' he said.

'At different points I remember her saying, 'F**k me, f**k me,' to encourage me,' he read... She was moaning with pleasure,' he went on.

After reading the statement, he said to Ms Hand's lawyers: 'My story has not changed... Your client's story has changed multiple times.'

John Gordon SC, counsel for Ms Hand, put to Mr McGregor that she 'repeatedly' said she was frightened in the aftermath of the alleged attack. 'OK,' Mr McGregor replied. 

'She said she was worried,' Mr Gordon said. 'OK,' Mr McGregor again responded.

'I will give you one example,' Mr Gordon said, referencing Garda notes which recorded Ms Hand as saying she was 'terrified' of the man who allegedly raped her.

'Why was she terrified?' Mr Gordon asked.

There was an objection from Mr McGregor's barrister to the question.

Mr Gordon, rephrasing the question, then asked: 'Was she terrified?'

'There was no sign of distress or fear or anything other than elation, excitement and a good night was had and that's as clear as day from start to finish,' Mr McGregor said, claiming that Ms Hand had been 'joyous, excited and having a good time'.

After making his statement to police in 2019, Mr McGregor was asked more than 100 follow-up questions by police, to which he replied 'no comment'.

Mr McGregor repeatedly stated he was acting on advice from his solicitor, adding he told his lawyers his story and gave his series of the events.

 Asked why he replied 'no comment' to every question, Mr McGregor said it was the first time he was interviewed by Gardai and 'was beyond petrified'.

'I would have loved to go the top of a mountain with a microphone and shout from the hilltops about the series of allegations,' Mr McGregor added.

He told the court that he felt he was co-operative with police during the interviews, adding he was 'nervous' and it was 'alien' to him.

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'It is the first time it has happened to me in my life,' he continued.

He said he was in court to speak his case.

'These allegations are false and I have come out here, and say my piece and say my truth.'

Mr Justice Alex Owens told the jury on Friday that they have now heard all the evidence from the plaintiff and defence.

The jury of eight women and four men were told he will discuss legal issues that have arisen from the evidence with counsel on both sides.

They were also told that an issue paper, outlining the issues that the jury must consider in reaching its decision, will be given to them.

He said that they are the decision-makers and their role is to evaluate all the facts and come to a conclusion.

They were told to return on Tuesday, when they will hear closing speeches and the judge's charge, before retiring.