Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor has said he replied “no comment” to more than 100 questions during police interviews about a rape allegation because he was “beyond petrified”.
A woman is claiming civil damages against McGregor and another man, James Lawrence. She alleges they sexually assaulted her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The 36-year-old MMA fighter, who was cross-examined at Dublin’s High Court today, previously told the court he had consensual sex with the woman in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel.
McGregor read out a prepared statement to Irish police when questioned about the alleged rape in January 2019, the court was told.
He was then asked more than 100 follow-up questions and replied “no comment” to each one.
McGregor today told the court the occasion marked the first time he had been interviewed by police, and that he was “beyond petrified” at the time.
McGregor added that he felt he had been co-operative with officers, while feeling “nervous” amid a process that was “alien” to him.
He added: “I would have loved to go the top of a mountain with a microphone and shout from the hilltops about the series of allegations.”
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McGregor said he was in court to speak his case.
“These allegations are false and I have come out here, and say my piece and say my truth,” he said.
McGregor admitted to the court that he took “a small piece” of cocaine while he was travelling in a car to the hotel with Mr Lawrence, the woman and her work colleague.
It has also emerged McGregor has paid his friend’s legal fees. When first asked if this was the case, he initially replied: “I don’t recall.”
When asked again, McGregor said “possibly” and “I am not a million per cent” before later stating: “I believe I did.”
The case continues.
