Why Conor McGregor will not go to jail despite losing sexual assault case

Conor McGregor has been found liable for assaulting Nikita Hand following a civil trial in Dublin, but the UFC icon will not be sent to prison for the offence

Conor McGregor will not face jail time despite losing his sexual assault civil case, where he was accused of raping a woman in a Dublin hotel back in 2018. The UFC star has been wrapped up in legal drama for the better part of two weeks after Nikita Hand claimed he left her "brutally raped and battered" following an event at the Beacon Hotel nearly six years ago.

Found liable for assaulting Ms. Hand, McGregor is now ordered to pay her over £200,000 in damages, as determined by a jury consisting of eight women and four men. Despite the outcome, McGregor won't be imprisoned since the trial was civil, not criminal, after Ireland's director of public prosecutions decided against filing criminal charges against him.

In Irish civil law, parties are not granted automatic anonymity during court proceedings, unlike in criminal cases. A clearly distressed McGregor, who let out a heavy sigh and held back tears while being comforted by his mother and fiancée in court, shook his head in disappointment before leaving the courtroom at the conclusion of the trial.

READ MORE: Conor McGregor breaks silence after being found to have assaulted woman

McGregor refrained from commenting as he quickly left the courthouse, while Ms. Hand gave a moving statement following her victory. The former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion has revealed plans to appeal the decision, reports the Express.

He stated on X (formerly Twitter): "I will be appealing today's decision. The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages."

"I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide."