I can finally move on and try to heal

Victim to get €2m legal costs from star, 3 judges criticise JFC fighter's conduct

- BY PAUL HEALY

NIKITA Hand declared yesterday, "I can finally move on and try to heal," after Conor McGregor lost his appeal over a civil case verdict that found he had raped her.

The UFC fighter must now pay Ms Hand more than €2million in legal costs after being dealt a crushing final blow to his hopes of a retrial.

The three judges of the Court of Appeal upheld a finding by a jury that McGregor had raped Ms Hand in the Beacon Hotel in south Dublin in December 2018.

Now The Star has learned that after the three judges ruled in favour of Ms Hand- and, in another key decision, rejected a plea by co-defendant James Lawrence to have his costs paid - she is entitled to have legal costs understood to be over €2m paid to her by the MMA megastar.

The balance of a €250,000 in damages awarded to her by the jury at the end of the High Court case last November are also set to be paid.

BOMBSHELL

It comes as brave Nikita spoke to the media outside the Four Courts in Dublin following the bombshell ruling yesterday, and said she had been "re-traumatised" by the appeal.

"I'm deeply grateful for everyone who supported me, believed in me and stood by my side during this long and painful journey," Ms Hand said.

"This appeal has re-traumatised me over and over again. Being forced to relive it, what has happened has had a huge impact on me.

"For every survivor out there, I know how hard it is but please don't be silent, you deserve to be heard, you also deserve justice. Today I can finally move on and try to heal. Thank you."

Rejecting McGregor and Mr Lawrence's appeal, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore outlined why Ms Hand should be awarded her costs, and spoke in detail of the "vindication" she received by being believed by the jury.