Increase in calls to line in north more broadly linked to bravery of survivors coming forward, says Rape Crisis Northern Ireland

And Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said: “Since the jury found in favour of Nikita Hand, there has been a strong effect across Irish society that we are feeling in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has taken on more staff to deal with a surge in calls in the aftermath of Nikita Hand's court victory over Conor McGregor.

Calls to a rape helpline almost doubled over the weekend following the verdict of the civil rape case against Conor McGregor, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said. On Friday, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found the mixed martial arts fighter had assaulted Nikita Hand by raping her in a hotel in Dublin in December 2018.

Conor McGregor spoke out Monday after the former UFC champion lost a civil trial last week alleging he raped a woman six years ago. Last week, McGregor was found guilty by an Irish jury of sexually assaulting a woman named Nikita Hand in December 2018.