A High Court jury was told that Conor Mcgregor had sex with a woman against her wishes and with such force that a tampon was embedded in her vagina, which needed to be removed with a forceps.
A woman alleges that UFC star McGregor “in effect, raped her” a judge was told. A civil damages claim has been brought against McGregor, 36, and James Lawrence, who both deny the civil assault claim stemming from an alleged rape at a hotel in Dublin in 2018.
The alleged assault was said to have taken place at a hotel penthouse on December 8, before she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the following day.
A doctor was so concerned that he directed that photographs be taken of her injuries, counsel said. John Gordon SC, representing the plaintiff, informed the jury that McGregor “tells you that this was a consensual encounter, they were just having fun and a bit of rough sex”.
McGregor alleges, according to Mr Gordon, that the woman gave him license to carry out the alleged assault, which the counsel described as “unimaginable that anyone would do that”.
In his opening address, Mr Gordon said this is a case “which may seem complicated but is in fact extremely simple”.
In a civil trial, neither of the defendants face any criminal sanction if found guilty. The court heard that if it is proved, then it is a civil wrong and the plaintiff is entitled to compensation of damages.
Gordon had claimed that the plaintiff was “partying hard” on the night of the incident, had “lots to drink” and also “had some cocaine”.
He said that in his first meeting with his client “she was an absolute wreck. Constantly weeping, shivering, in pain and unable to get comfortable”.
A jury of four men and eight women were sworn in before Judge Alexander Owens at Court 24 of Dublin’s High Court after 11am on Tuesday morning.
The jury were warned not to become their own “private detective” by carrying out independent research online. “You make your decision and listen to the evidence and make your decision based on the evidence,” Judge Owens said.
“Anything that you hear or see about this trial, or anything about the circumstances of the trial that is not received in court, cannot be considered by you.”
The court has heard that the case is expected to last two weeks. The action was first brought in 2021 and has had a series of adjournments since.
The trial continues.