Gardaí confirm Conor McGregor rape investigation closed, no plans to reopen
Gardaí have confirmed they will not re-open the criminal investigation into Conor McGregor over the alleged December 2018 rape of Nikita Hand at Dublin's Beacon Hotel, considering the case closed following the DPP's 2020 decision not to charge. The DPP is separately weighing up whether to charge Samantha O'Reilly and Stephen Cummins with perjury over sworn affidavits submitted and then withdrawn during McGregor's Court of Appeal hearing.
- Reported9 Aug
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court31 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports40 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMs Hand accused Mr McGregor of raping her in the Beacon Hotel penthouse suite in Dublin on 9 December 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe alleged rape took place at Dublin's Beacon Hotel in December 2018. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenA doctor examined Hand on 10 December 2018 and noted bruising on her body. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged sexual assault was reported to An Garda Síochána on 10 December 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí will not reopen the investigation into Conor McGregor over the alleged rape of Nikita Hand and consider the case closed. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe DPP ruled there would be no criminal charges against McGregor. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigators found Nikita Hand to be credible and recommended to the DPP that McGregor be charged with rape. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe DPP found there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe DPP is weighing up whether to charge Samantha O'Reilly and Stephen Cummins. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda National Bureau of Crime Investigation is investigating allegations of perjury involving a couple named as witnesses in a failed civil court rape appeal by Conor McGregor. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA senior investigating officer has been appointed to the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigating gardaí found Nikita Hand to be credible and recommended to the DPP that McGregor be charged with rape. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe DPP found there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction from a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe DPP is weighing up whether to charge Samantha O'Reilly and Stephen Cummins with perjury. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe three-judge Court of Appeal dismissed all grounds of the appeal in a unanimous judgment. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA High Court jury found McGregor had assaulted Hand and awarded her €250,000 in damages. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe appeal court ordered Hand to receive her legal costs in both the High Court and appeal court against McGregor. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJames Lawrence, 36, of Rafters Road, Drimnagh, had his appeal regarding his own legal costs dismissed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury found Lawrence had not assaulted Hand after McGregor left the hotel. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court ruled Hand was entitled to costs at the highest solicitor-client level for the last-minute withdrawal of two motions. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA High Court civil jury found that McGregor raped Hand. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal upheld the civil jury's finding. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Brian O'Moore criticised McGregor's conduct in the Court of Appeal, saying it deserved a palpable sign of the court's displeasure. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtNikita Hand sued Conor McGregor in the High Court the previous year. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA civil jury found Mr McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand and awarded her €248,603 in damages. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr McGregor immediately launched an appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Hand has been granted legal costs estimated at €1.3 million. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal upheld the civil jury's decision. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe witnesses were withdrawn at the very opening of the appeal by McGregor's own counsel, who admitted the grounds was unsustainable. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judges referred the matter to the DPP amid allegations of perjury by the couple and subornation of perjury by McGregor. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtMs Hand lodged a High Court action against O'Reilly, Cummins, and McGregor for alleged malicious abuse of the court process. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherRachel Morrogh is Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe CSO reported that one in two women and one in four men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFewer than 3% of people who experienced sexual violence as an adult ever report it to Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMore than three in 10 people would not suggest contacting Gardaí after a sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherOne in two people believe sexual offence trials are much harder for survivors compared to other types of crimes. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere was a significant increase in first-time callers to the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline as a result of the trial last November. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLawrence's legal costs were paid by McGregor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNikita Hand was in court for the ruling, accompanied by friends and supporters, while McGregor was not present. (irishtimes.com)
- otherO'Reilly and Cummins alleged in sworn affidavits that they saw and heard an alleged assault on Ms Hand by her former partner following the alleged rape. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Aug2025Gardai won't reopen Conor McGregor probe as Nikita Hand case considered 'closed'
Confirms the criminal investigation is closed with no appetite to reopen; details the DPP's 2020 no-charge decision, the civil jury finding and Court of Appeal upholding it, and the potential perjury charges against two witnesses whose evidence was withdrawn at the start of McGregor's appeal.
victim, Nikita Hand, femaleNikita Handaccused, Conor McGregor, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McGregorsuspect, Samantha O'Reilly, female, named, irish (judged from name)Samantha O'Reillysuspect, Stephen Cummins, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Cummins - 9 Aug2025Gardaí investigate alleged perjury involving couple in Conor McGregor civil rape case appeal
Gardaí confirmed on 9 August 2025 that the GNBOCI is investigating perjury allegations arising from affidavits sworn in January 2025 by two neighbours in the Conor McGregor civil rape appeal. A senior investigating officer has been appointed. Ms Hand is also suing McGregor, O'Reilly and Cummins for damages.
suspect, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, Steven Cummins, male, named, irish (judged from name)Steven Cumminssuspect, Conor McGregor, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McGregorvictim, Nikita Hand, 35, female, irish (judged from name)Nikita Hand - 9 Aug2025Gardai won't reopen Conor McGregor probe as Nikita Hand case considered 'closed'
Confirms Gardaí will not reopen the investigation, reveals gardaí recommended charges to the DPP and found Hand credible, and reports the DPP is considering charges against O'Reilly and Cummins for alleged perjury, plus a civil action for malicious abuse of process.
victim, Nikita Hand, female, irish (judged from name)Nikita Handsuspect, Conor McGregor, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McGregorsuspect, Samantha O'Reilly, female, named, irish (judged from name)Samantha O'Reillysuspect, Stephen Cummins, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Cummins - 31 Jul2025Conor McGregor loses civil rape case appeal
The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed all grounds of McGregor's civil appeal, ordered him to pay Hand's legal costs, and noted the jury must not have accepted James Lawrence's evidence of consensual sex. The court also granted a referral for possible perjury consideration regarding withdrawn fresh evidence from neighbours Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins.
victim, Nikita Hand, female, irish (judged from name)Nikita Handaccused, Conor McGregor, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McGregor - 31 Jul2025Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomes verdict in Conor McGregor appeal
Reports the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's reaction to the Court of Appeal upholding the High Court civil verdict, including comments from CEO Rachel Morrogh and statistics on sexual violence reporting in Ireland.
victim, Nikita Hand, female, irish (judged from name)Nikita Handaccused, Conor McGregor, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McGregor