Companies Cut Ties with Conor McGregor After Rape Verdict
Background
A civil court jury in Ireland has ruled that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor must pay nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) to a woman who accused him of raping her. The ruling has led to two companies cutting ties with McGregor.
Proximo Spirits
Proximo Spirits, the owner of Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12, has announced that it 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
Video game developer IO Interactive has also ended its collaboration with McGregor, who had played the role of a fighter in the game "Hitman." The company stated, "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."
The Ruling
The ruling was made in 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 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 Verdict
The jury of eight women and four men found McGregor liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin.
Conclusion
The decision by Proximo Spirits and IO Interactive to cut ties with McGregor sends a strong message that the companies will not tolerate behavior that is harmful or offensive to others. The ruling and subsequent actions by the companies serve as a reminder of the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.
FAQs
Q: What was the outcome of the civil court case against Conor McGregor?
A: The jury ruled that McGregor must pay nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) to the woman who accused him of raping her.
Q: Which companies have cut ties with Conor McGregor?
A: Proximo Spirits and IO Interactive have ended their collaborations with McGregor.
Q: What was the alleged incident that led to the court case?
A: Nikita Hand claimed that McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in 2018.
Q: What was McGregor’s defense in the court case?
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.
