The Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor is accused of raping a woman in a Dublin hotel, according to the city's high court. Nikita Ni Laimhin is seeking civil damages against McGregor and another man, alleging she was sexually assaulted in 2018. However, McGregor's legal team claims that Ni Laimhin, who does not have automatic anonymity, is attempting extortion.

On Tuesday, McGregor, known as 'Notorious', attended court to hear Justice Alexander Owens inform the jury that it is alleged Ni Laimhin was sexually assaulted by McGregor and James Lawrence on December 9. The judge stated that it is claimed the pair 'effectively raped her.'

The court heard that McGregor had collected Ni Laimhin, a Dublin hairdresser, and her friend following a Christmas party on December 8. John Gordon SC, representing Ni Laimhin, explained that the pair were acquainted due to their similar age, shared neighborhood, mutual friends, and social media interactions.

At the time of the alleged incident, Ni Laimhin lived in the Dublin suburb of Drimnagh with her partner and seven-year-old daughter. She had been out with friends on the night of the alleged assault. Gordon noted that McGregor was 'enormously famous' and considered a 'hero' in Drimnagh. He also acknowledged that his client was 'no angel' and 'didn't pretend to be an angel.'

On the night in question, Ni Laimhin had been drinking and had taken cocaine. The court also learned that she suffered from depression and had been on antidepressants. Later that night, Ni Laimhin and two friends returned to her salon, where they continued to party and she contacted McGregor.

McGregor picked her and her friend up in his car, with Ni Laimhin believing they were going to another party. He sat in the back seat with the two women while his driver drove around housing estates, honking the horn. They later went to Lawrence's home, where he joined them in the car.

The court was told that McGregor had a bag of cocaine, which was shared among McGregor, the complainant, and her friend. The group, including the complainant, McGregor, his security team, and others, then went to a penthouse suite at the Beacon hotel in Dublin.

During the evening, McGregor allegedly beckoned Ni Laimhin to join him in a bedroom. The court heard that McGregor 'came on to her,' but she did not want to have sexual intercourse with him as she was on her period. Gordon told the court that she alleged McGregor pinned her down on the bed and that she was physically unable to resist him.

Ni Laimhin claimed that McGregor flipped her over, put her arm in a lock, and drew her up by the neck, causing her to struggle for breath. By the third time, she gave up, completely terrified. It is alleged that she later had sex with Lawrence, but Gordon said she had no recollection of such an event.

Ni Laimhin later went home and visited her mother, who called emergency services. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, shaking and in pain. Gordon stated that McGregor would claim the encounter was consensual and that they were 'just having fun and a bit of rough sex.'

The defense argued that Ni Laimhin had several opportunities to complain about her treatment but did not. It also claimed that Ni Laimhin is engaged in an attempt at extortion. Gordon defended his client, stating she was being called a 'gold digger and a fraud,' but bravery ultimately lies with her for pursuing vindication and compensation.

The jury was sworn in at the high court and informed that they were judges of fact regarding what happened, with their decision being crucial. The trial is expected to last around two weeks.

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