Couple in McGregor perjury case refuse book of evidence

The Director of Public Prosecutions has completed books of evidence for the perjury trial of a Dublin couple who were witnesses in Conor McGregor's failed civil court rape appeal.

However, Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, both 39, would not accept them when they appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on Monday.

It was their second hearing since being charged in September.

It follows enquiries by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).

Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins have yet to indicate pleas to the offences, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.

The pair are accused of giving a false statement material to the proceedings in an affidavit, under section 2(1) of the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Act 2021.

These offences allegedly occurred at Lincoln Lane, Dublin 7, on 14 January 2025.

Ms O'Reilly alone has an additional charge for the same offence on 6 May 2025.

The DPP directed that the couple, who live at Cherry Orchard Green, Ballyfermot, are to face trial on indictment.

The prosecution's books of evidence were due to be served on the pair before their case could be transferred to the Circuit Court.

However, the couple refused to accept them because their solicitor, Tony Collier, was not present to act for them in court until the ongoing legal aid dispute ended.

Judge Kelly noted their position and ordered them to appear again on 7 December, adding that the industrial action would hopefully be resolved by then.

At their prior hearing on 29 September, Detective Sergeant Maria Cassells gave evidence that Ms O'Reilly "made no reply" when charged with two offences.

Detective Garda Padraic Hanley said Mr Cummins also made no reply to his single charge.

The unemployed couple remain subject to conditions imposed earlier, sought by the NBCI: sign on every Wednesday at Ballyfermot Garda station, remain contactable by phone 24/7 and no direct or indirect contact with witnesses, with Mr Cummins being told that included "in person or by social media".

They have been warned that they risked revocation of bail and being remanded in custody if they broke the terms, including "if you do not pick up" when gardaí contact them by telephone.

Nikita Hand sued MMA fighter McGregor in the High Court in 2024. She accused him of raping her in the Beacon Hotel penthouse suite in Dublin on 9 December 2018.

Mr McGregor denied the allegation, claiming they had consensual, "vigorous" sex. However, a civil jury found he had assaulted Ms Hand and awarded her €248,603 in damages.

Mr McGregor immediately launched an appeal, seeking to introduce fresh evidence that he was not responsible for the bruising on the body of Ms Hand.

The evidence included affidavits from Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins, who lived across the road from Ms Hand in Drimnagh in late 2018.

The Court of Appeal subsequently dismissed Mr McGregor's legal challenge.

Ms Hand denied any altercation with her former partner and the claims in the affidavit.