PA MediaA judge has ruled that MMA star Conor McGregor must pay the legal costs of a woman who accused him of raping her.
A jury found McGregor liable for assault in a civil case taken by Nikita Hand and ordered him to pay Ms Hand almost €250,000 (£207,000) in damages.
He has now been told to pay her legal costs in a further hearing on Thursday.
James Lawrence – who was also accused of rape by Ms Hand but found not liable – will not be awarded any costs.
The judge said it was a “singular and peculiar case” and may bring proceedings against McGregor for social media posts.
McGregor, who had denied the allegations, has already said he will appeal.
The extent of the costs is not yet known – but Ms Hand was not awarded the maximum level of costs that her legal team had requested.
What was the civil case about?
In a Republic of Ireland civil action – as opposed to a criminal case – neither the complainant nor the accused are entitled to automatic anonymity during the court proceedings.
The jury at the High Court in Dublin had been deliberating for a day before returning its verdict that McGregor did assault Ms Hand.
She had also taken a case against James Lawrence, 35, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh in Dublin.
She alleged that he assaulted her by having sex with her without her consent in the Beacon Hotel.
The jury found that Mr Lawrence did not assault her.
PA/Brian LawlessAfter Ms Hand won her claim against McGregor for damages in a civil case, she told reporters said she was “overwhelmed and touched” by the support she had received following the jury’s decision.
She added: “I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other young girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served.”
