The legal saga surrounding former MMA fighter Conor McGregor continues to unfold as Ireland's Court of Appeal has decided to refer a critical matter in his case to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This development follows McGregor's dramatic withdrawal of proposed new evidence during his appeal hearing.

Background of the Case

McGregor was ordered to pay Nikita Hand over €248,000 (£206,000) in damages after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. The High Court ruling last year also mandated McGregor to cover her legal costs.

The Appeal Hearing

The Court of Appeal hearing concluded on Wednesday, with a full decision expected at a later date. Notably, McGregor has not appeared in court since the appeal began on Tuesday.

Evidence Withdrawal

On the second day of the hearing, McGregor's legal team unexpectedly withdrew proposed new evidence from Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, former neighbors of Nikita Hand. This evidence, which McGregor believed could suggest that Hand's injuries were caused by a former partner, was met with skepticism. Hand's lawyer described the claims as "lies," and she was prepared to testify against them.

Legal Team's Justification

McGregor's barrister cited the inadmissibility of supporting evidence and the lack of corroboration for O'Reilly's testimony as reasons for the withdrawal. The court's three-judge panel expressed confusion over the decision, with one judge stating they were "bemused" by the reasoning.

Prosecution Referral

Hand's lawyer argued that the withdrawn evidence had been widely circulated in the media, potentially undermining her reputation. He requested the court to refer the matter to the DPP, a request the court granted.

Co-Accused's Appeal

In a related development, James Lawrence, who was accused alongside McGregor, appealed the decision not to award him costs after the jury found he did not assault Hand. Lawrence's barrister argued that "costs follow events," but the court noted that McGregor had paid Lawrence's legal fees, complicating the matter.

Conclusion

This case continues to draw significant attention, highlighting the complexities of legal battles involving high-profile figures. The referral to the DPP marks a pivotal moment in McGregor's ongoing legal challenges.