Irish mixed martial arts artist Conor McGregor has been accused of raping a woman in a Dublin hotel, as reported by the city’s High Court.

Nikita Hand is seeking civil damages against McGregor and another man, alleging she was sexually assaulted.

McGregor’s lawyers told the court that Hand, who has no automatic right to anonymity, is attempting extortion.

Judge Alexander Owens told the jury that Ms Hand was allegedly sexually assaulted by McGregor and James Lawrence, of an address at Rafters Road, Drimnagh, on December 9, 2018.

The judge said it is alleged the couple “actually raped her”.

Judge Owens told the jury that this is not a criminal case but a civil assault case and that if it is proven that assault occurred then it is a civil offense and the plaintiff is entitled to compensation.

John Gordon SC, for Ms Hand, said his client knew Mr McGregor because they were in the same age group, were from the same area and had mutual friends.

In 2018, Hand was living in Drimnagh, a Dublin suburb, with his partner and seven-year-old daughter.

Gordon said McGregor was “hugely famous” and considered a “hero” in Drimnagh.

The court heard that McGregor picked up Hand, a hairdresser from Dublin, and her friend after a Christmas party on December 8.

Hand believed McGregor was taking her and her friend to another party.

They were later joined by Lawrence and went to a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where they drank alcohol and took cocaine.

At one point, McGregor motioned for Hand to join him in a bedroom.

The court heard Mr McGregor “approached” Ms Hand but she did not want to have sex because she was on her period.

Ms Hand then alleges that Mr McGregor pinned her to the bed.

Gordon said the jury will hear how she tried to get him off her but couldn’t and was left with bruises, scratches and a cut on her chest.

The court also heard from a gynecologist who examined Ms Hand in the emergency department of the Rotunda Hospital on December 10.

Dr. Daniel Kane said she was “shaking and crying” throughout the exam.

Dr Kane also noted multiple injuries on Mrs Hand, photographs of which were shown to the court.

He described the injuries as moderate to severe.

It is later alleged that she had sexual relations with Mr Lawrence, but Mr Gordon said she does not remember any of this.

Hand later returned home and visited his mother, who called 999.

She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Gordon said McGregor will attribute injuries to ‘rough sex’

“What she is saying is that she gave him license to carry out what must have been a brutal assault on her body,” he added.

The defense claimed that Ms. Hand had several opportunities to complain to people about how she was treated, but she did not do so.

He will also claim Ms Hand is involved in an extortion attempt, the court heard.

Gordon said his client is being called a “gold digger and fraud.”

However, he said she had shown courage in seeking “vindication and compensation”.

The action is expected to last about two weeks.