Authorities Investigate Perjury Claims in McGregor Rape Case

UPDATE: Authorities are urgently investigating claims of perjury linked to the ongoing legal battle involving former MMA fighter Conor McGregor and alleged victim Nikita Hand. New reports reveal that witnesses, Steven Cummins and Samantha O’Reilly, may not have been living at the property where they claimed to have witnessed an assault on the night of December 9, 2018.

The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) has launched a probe into the couple’s affidavits, which played a crucial role in McGregor’s failed civil court rape appeal. Officials are scrutinizing their statements for possible perjury, as inconsistencies have emerged regarding their residency at the time of the alleged incident.

Witnesses had previously stated they saw Hand being assaulted by her ex-partner on the night she accused McGregor of rape. However, the NBCI is now exploring whether Cummins and O’Reilly were actually residing at the address in Drimnagh, Dublin, when the alleged events occurred. The couple currently lives in the Cherry Orchard area of Dublin.

When approached for comment, O’Reilly responded aggressively, throwing a basin of water at a reporter and demanding they leave her premises. This confrontation raises questions about their credibility as witnesses in this high-profile case.

On July 31, 2025, Hand left the High Court after the Court of Appeal denied McGregor’s appeal against a jury’s finding of liability for assault, ordering him to pay damages. Hand, 35, has consistently maintained that McGregor raped her in a hotel penthouse, a claim McGregor, 36, denies, asserting their encounter was consensual.

In a stunning turn of events, Cummins and O’Reilly’s testimonies were withdrawn just before McGregor’s appeal hearing last month, prompting Hand to label their statements as falsehoods. The Court of Appeal highlighted the mysterious circumstances surrounding the withdrawal, awarding Hand costs at the highest level and reinforcing her position.

Judge Brian O’Moore remarked that the abandonment of the application by McGregor signaled an acknowledgment of Hand’s truthfulness, further intensifying the scrutiny on the couple’s statements. Following this, concerns about suspected perjury led Hand’s legal team to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Outside the court, Hand expressed the emotional toll the appeal process has taken on her, urging other survivors to speak out: “This appeal has retraumatised me over and over again. To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please don’t be silenced. You deserve to be heard. You also deserve justice.”

As the investigation unfolds, the NBCI’s inquiry into the couple’s claims could have significant implications for both McGregor and Hand, as well as for the wider conversation surrounding sexual assault allegations. With officials confirming the ongoing investigation, all eyes are on the developments in this deeply impactful case.

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to evolve.