A solidarity march will be held today, Monday, November 25 in Dublin's City Centre as a show of support for Nikita Hand as well as to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Gender Violence.
On Friday, Hand won her civil case against Irish UFC fighter Conor McGregor.
The High Court in Dublin heard on the opening day of Hand's civil case earlier this month that the allegation was that "McGregor sexually assaulted Ms. Ni Laimhin [Hand] and in effect raped her on the night of December 2018, and that Mr. [James] Lawrence did likewise.
"It is not a criminal case, it is a civil action for assault…if proven… the person is entitled to compensation, which is called damages."
The High Court later heard that Hand was "devastated" that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided against prosecuting McGregor as it felt the evidence against the sports star was not strong enough. Thus, the case was a civil matter, not criminal.
The jury ultimately found that McGregor had sexually assaulted Hand but that Lawrence did not assault her.
November 22, 2024: Conor McGregor leaving the High Court in Dublin after he was found liable for the sexual assault of Nikita Hand. (RollingNews.ie)
Hand is set to be awarded €248,603.60 in damages, while the issue of costs will be determined this week.
McGregor maintains his innocence and in a series of since-deleted social media posts, slammed Hand as a "vicious liar" and said he will be appealing Friday's decision.
Speaking after the jury handed down its decision on Friday, an emotional Hand told reporters: "I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served.
"To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice, and keep on fighting for justice."
BREAKING: Nikita Hand speaks outside court. pic.twitter.com/H1K4eit8Ug
— Paul Healy (@Healyhack) November 22, 2024
The same day Hand won her civil case, the ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement in Ireland announced a march for Monday at 6 pm from Dublin City Hall to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Announcing the march, ROSA said it didn't organize any action while the trial was still taking place "lest it would not be helpful for Nikita's case," adding, "but now that she has won we ask you to gather to come out and show your gratitude for her brave stance."
ROSA said: "The DPP chose not to prosecute Conor McGregor in a criminal trial, against Nikita's wishes and the strong evidence she had including her harrowing testimony.
"While most survivors of sexual assault don't even report it, those who do report and choose to pursue a case face a myriad of obstacles and often re-traumatising hurdles in a misogynistic justice system. The DPP failing to prosecute cases of sexual violence is one such hurdle."
ROSA said its march on Monday to the DPP will "demand an overhaul of the system that is failing to survivors again and again."
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Monday's march has won the support of Natasha O'Brien, who was left unconscious after being assaulted by Irish soldier Cathal Crotty in Limerick in May 2022. After pleading guilty, Crotty received a three-year fully suspended sentence, prompting outcry and protests across Ireland. Crotty has since been discharged from the Irish Defence Forces.
"Survivors everywhere do not deserve to be ignored," O'Brien said on social media on Sunday.
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Also supporting Monday's march is founding member of ROSA Ruth Coppinger, a former TD and current Fingal County Councillor.
"The Director of Public Prosecutions must answer why they did not allow this case go forward for prosecution," Coppinger said in a statement on Friday.
"To refuse the chance of justice to someone who had such severe physical injuries is inexplicable. Women and other survivors of sexual assault or gender-based violence often meet this barrier of the DPP deciding there is 'insufficient evidence' or else that a crime didn't occur even when the evidence is stark.
"Victims are deprived of their day in court having been brave enough to report in the first place.
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