Companies Cut Ties with Conor McGregor After Rape Verdict
Background
Two companies have severed their ties with Conor McGregor, a mixed martial arts fighter, after a civil court jury in Ireland ruled that he must pay nearly €250,000 ($257,000) to a woman who accused him of rape.
Proximo Spirits Cuts Ties
Proximo Spirits, the owner of Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12, will no longer feature McGregor’s name or image on the drink. In a statement to the Irish Independent newspaper, the company said, "Going forward, we do not plan to use Mr. McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand."
IO Interactive Ends Collaboration
Video game developer IO Interactive also ended its collaboration with McGregor, who had played the role of a fighter in the game "Hitman." The company said in a statement, "In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today."
Court Ruling
The ruling follows a civil case where Nikita Hand claimed McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in 2018. Hand said the alleged assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
McGregor’s Testimony
The 36-year-old McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. The jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin.
Conclusion
The companies’ decision to cut ties with McGregor sends a strong message about the importance of respecting women’s rights and the severity of allegations of sexual assault. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this ruling will impact McGregor’s future in the world of sports and entertainment.
FAQs
Q: What did the court ruling say?
A: The court ruled that Conor McGregor must pay nearly €250,000 ($257,000) to a woman who accused him of rape.
Q: Which companies cut ties with McGregor?
A: Proximo Spirits and IO Interactive.
Q: What was the alleged assault about?
A: Nikita Hand claimed that McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in 2018.
Q: How did McGregor respond to the allegations?
A: McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex.
