Nikita Hand, who won her civil case against former MMA fighter Conor McGregor, has welcomed a decision by the Supreme Court not to allow a further appeal by Mr McGregor against a High Court jury's finding that he raped her.
Ms Hand said the Irish civil justice system had afforded her vindication and allowed her voice to be heard, after seven years seeking justice, accountability and peace.
She said the public and private roads she had travelled had been long and painful.
Ms Hand said that today was not just a victory for her, but for all who had been treated as she had. She said it was also a victory for the justice system.
In November 2024, a jury at the High Court found that Mr McGregor raped Ms Hand in a hotel room in December 2018 and awarded her almost €250,000 in damages.
His appeal against the decision was rejected by the Court of Appeal in its entirety.
The Supreme Court has ruled that it will not hear Mr McGregor's further appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss his challenge to the verdict.
The appeal and the application to the Supreme Court centred on the High Court judge's decision to allow the jury to hear about Mr McGregor's "no comment" to gardaí when he was questioned during the investigation into Ms Hand's allegations.
The judge told the jury that they should not consider this evidence as relevant to the question of whether or not Mr McGregor raped Ms Hand.
Mr McGregor's lawyers said the evidence about the "no comment" answers should never have been admitted.
The Appeal Court found that the judge at the trial had given sufficient guidance to the jury about this evidence to avoid the risk of a unfair trial.
The Supreme Court ruled it was not satisfied that any matter of general public importance arose in the application, justifying an appeal to the higher court.
It said Mr McGregor had submitted that the court should consider the question of the principles governing the admissibility of evidence in a civil trial which affects on the right to silence of someone who was a suspect in a related criminal investigation.
The court said that while such a question could arise hypothetically, it did not arise on the facts of this case.
It found the Appeal Court had applied well established principles to the question of whether or not the jury should have been discharged and how the risk of an unfair trial can be avoided by directions to the jury.
It ruled the "application of those principles to the particular facts of this case, is not a matter of general public importance".
It also determined that it was not satisfied an appeal to the Supreme Court should be permitted in the interests of justice.
It said it was satisfied Mr McGregor had a fair hearing notwithstanding the admission of the "no comment" evidence, followed by a full appeal to the Appeal Court. Therefore, Mr McGregor had had the benefit of his right of appeal.
The Supreme Court also rejected an attempt by Mr McGregor's friend, James Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Ms Hand, to appeal a decision not to award him his costs in the case.
The Appeal Court dismissed Mr Lawrence's appeal on this issue.
It found it was plain that Mr McGregor's and Mr Lawrence's evidence on the central issue concerning the rape of Ms Hand, was rejected by the jury.
The Appeal Court also ruled Mr Lawrence's evidence could only be regarded as untruthful. And it also rejected Mr Lawrence's appeal in relation to costs, as his legal costs were fully funded by Mr McGregor.
The Supreme Court determined that no issue of general public importance had been raised by Mr Lawrence.
It found the Appeal Court applied well established principles relating to costs, to the facts of this case.
It said the legislation expressly provided that a successful party can be refused their costs on the basis of their conduct. It also found Mr Lawrence had not advanced any persuasive reasons why the decision of the Appeal Court was erroneous or unjust.
It determined that in the circumstances of this case where Mr Lawrence's legal expenses were fully funded by Mr McGregor, it was difficult to see that the interests of justice were engaged.
A panel of Supreme Court judges met last week to determine whether or not to allow further appeals in the men's cases and their decisions were communicated to the parties involved this afternoon.
In a statement issued through her solicitor, David Coleman, Ms Hand said the fact that the justice system had allowed her to speak her truth and afforded her vindication was part of the healing process.
She reminded those who had been treated as she had been that they were "never alone" on their journey. She said help and support were there.
Ms Hand said the end of the legal process in this case was also a victory for the justice system - judges, juries and officials who worked so hard to make the system honest and fair.
She thanked the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and all advocates working for the healing of victims, telling them "without you my life would have been different".
Ms Hand thanked the team at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the Rotunda and first responders.
She finished by thanking her legal team at Coleman Legal and urged others to use their voice.
The Supreme Court's decision was also welcomed by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
In a statement, it said the determination brought to an end an acutely distressing and difficult legal process which revealed the "challenging journey survivors of sexual violence must go on to get any form of justice".
The Chief Executive of the centre, Rachel Morrogh, said Ms Hand's truth had been validated once again.
She said Ms Hand had been unshakeable in her determination that there be consequences for the harm done against her, in the face of great adversity.
Ms Morrough said there was no more road for this to run, and the original judgment stood.
She added the DRCC was proud to have supported Ms Hand and sent her their best wishes for continued health and healing as she rebuilds her life.
Ms Morrogh also urged other survivors to take courage and hope from Ms Hand's case and to reach out for support.
The 24 hour national rape crisis helpline is available at 1800 778888.
