{"id":516687,"date":"2026-06-24T22:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T22:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/516687\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T22:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T22:52:15","slug":"nikita-hand-thanks-singer-pink-for-support-as-she-criticises-conor-mcgregor-appearance-on-us-tonight-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/516687\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikita Hand thanks singer Pink for support as she criticises Conor McGregor appearance on US Tonight Show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nikita shared the post on her Instagram today writing: &#8216;These are the types of famous people we should be following. Famous women and men who support victims. Thank you Pink.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>15:06, 24 Jun 2026Updated 19:33, 24 Jun 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Irish-Mirror-Breaking-News-8jpeg.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Conor McGregor (left) and Nikita Hand. \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Conor McGregor (left) and Nikita Hand. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nikita Hand has thanked the singer Pink for her support &#8211; after she criticised <a aria-label=\"Conor McGregorLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/sport\/ufc\/controversial-conor-mcgregor-interview-jimmy-37324187\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Conor McGregor<\/a>\u2019s recent appearance on the <a aria-label=\"Tonight Show.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/sport\/ufc\/controversial-conor-mcgregor-interview-jimmy-37324187\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Tonight Show.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"McGregorLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/sport\/ufc\/controversial-conor-mcgregor-interview-jimmy-37324187\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">McGregor<\/a>, who was found by a civil jury to be liable for the rape of Ms Hand, made an appearance on Jimmy Fallon\u2019s talk show in the US last week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The move has now been criticised by singer songwriter <a aria-label=\"PinkLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/sport\/ufc\/controversial-conor-mcgregor-interview-jimmy-37324187\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Pink<\/a>, who took to social media and posted a picture of Nikita alongside an image of the fighter on the hit chat show.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Her post was accompanied by the words: \u201cYou ask why women don\u2019t report rape? They do. But men still get platforms and are treated like celebrities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nikita shared the post on her Instagram today writing: \u201cThese are the types of famous people we should be following. Famous women and men who support victims. Thank you Pink.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The appearance has also been criticised by actress <a aria-label=\"Christina RicciLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/sport\/ufc\/controversial-conor-mcgregor-interview-jimmy-37324187\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Christina Ricci<\/a> who reposted an Instagram story by entrepreneur Adam McRae on Monday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cConor McGregor raped a woman so brutally that the EMT who saw her commented on the severity of her bruising. She also had to have the tampon she was using when he raped her surgically removed, as it had been shoved so far inside her,\u201d the post, originally shared by entrepreneur Mr McRae, said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWhy the absolute f\u2013k is this piece of human garbage being given a platform on Jimmy Fallon\u2019s show? Shame on you, Jimmy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"McGregor Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/sport\/ufc\/controversial-conor-mcgregor-interview-jimmy-37324187\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">McGregor <\/a>discussed his potential return to the UFC on the Tonight Show, but the program made no mention of the 2024 civil finding that he raped Ms Hand at the Beacon Hotel in South Dublin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nikita Hand is publishing her memoir about what she went through later this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The book will mark the first time she has spoken about everything since the major High Court case and McGregor&#8217;s ensuing appeal loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a statement publishers Hachette Ireland said it is proud to announce the book &#8211; titled \u2018Not the Perfect Victim\u2019 &#8211; which they said is \u201ca courageous and groundbreaking book by Nikita Hand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThis is a singular story of survival, truth telling and unflinching personal bravery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The book, which is available for pre order, is due to be released on September 22 this year.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nikita Hand book\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_nikita.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Nikita Hand new book 'Not the Perfect Victim' \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Nikita Hand new book &#8216;Not the Perfect Victim&#8217; (Image: Nikita Hand)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It comes as Ms Hand has faced an uphill battle in taking McGregor to court, being believed by a jury, and then fending off an appeal by the fighter and an attempt to take the matter to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In its decision late last year the Supreme Court said that it is \u201cnot satisfied that any matter of general public importance arises in this application justifying an appeal to this Court.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They further stated that McGregor \u201csets out, as such a matter, the question as to what are the principles governing the admissibility, in a civil trial, of evidence which trenches on the right to silence of a litigant who was a suspect in a related criminal investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWhile such a question could arise hypothetically, it does not arise here on the facts of this case,\u201d the court said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThe decision of the Court below involved the application of well-established principles as to whether the jury should have been discharged in the light of an erroneous ruling by the trial judge, and as to how the risk of an unfair trial may be avoided by the trial judge making necessary rulings and giving the appropriate directions to the jury. The application of those principles to the particular facts of this case is not a matter of general public importance,\u201d it further stated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Court went on to state that it was \u201csatisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing, notwithstanding the admission of the \u201cno comment\u201d evidence, followed by a full appeal to the Court of Appeal, and therefore he has had the benefit of his right of appeal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The decision marks the end of a long road for Ms Hand, who was awarded \u20ac250,000 by a civil jury which found that McGregor had assaulted her in a major case that made headlines throughout November 2024.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin leaving the High Court\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_JS352476321.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin leaving the High Court\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin leaving the High Court(Image: Brian Lawless\/PA)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nikita Hand\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1_PA-81146681.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Nikita Hand\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Nikita Hand<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A jury of four men and eight women sided with Ms Hand (35), a former hair colourist from Drimnagh in Dublin, who said she was brutally raped by McGregor (36) in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford on December 9, 2018.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The jury then awarded \u20ac248,603.60 in general and special damages &#8211; taking into account Ms Hand\u2019s loss of earnings since she stopped working &#8211; and her loss of earnings in the future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: <a aria-label=\"Sign up hereLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=39e53cb8-b266-4e33-8d00-e9f7a38f420c&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nikita shared the post on her Instagram today writing: &#8216;These are the types of famous people we should&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":516688,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[45,1714,54,124976,93,73,61,60,1717],"class_list":["post-516687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-an-garda-siochana","tag-conor-mcgregor","tag-courts","tag-dublin-rape-crisis-centre","tag-entertainment","tag-high-court","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-nikita-hand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/516687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=516687"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/516687\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/516688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=516687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=516687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=516687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}