Work colleague ‘surprised’ to learn Conor McGregor rape accuser was assaulted

A woman who was with Nikita Hand in the hotel where she claims she was raped by Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, has told a High Court she was “surprised” to learn of the alleged sexual assault.

Ms Hand, who is claiming civil damages against McGregor and another man, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the alleged incident in December 2018.

Mr McGregor is facing an accusation in the civil action that he “brutally raped and battered” Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin.

She is also suing another man, James Lawrence, for sexual assault on December 9th, 2018.

Ms Hand, who has no automatic right to anonymity, has accused Mr McGregor of pinning her to a bed and raping her in a hotel bedroom in south Dublin.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Danielle Kealey told the court she was with Ms Hand in south Dublin as part of a Christmas work party.

Ms Kealey, who was called to give evidence by Remy Farrell SC, for Mr…