Spike in calls to rape helpline during Conor McGregor case 

Over the first 10 days of the trial, calls to the National Rape Crisis Helpline increased by almost 20%, and first-time callers increased by 50% compared to the same period last year

First-time callers to the DRCC 'were largely from people who had experienced sexual violence themselves and who expressed distress and anxiety around details of the case and the views of people around them.' Picture: iStock

Calls to the National Rape Crisis Helpline rose by almost 20% during Nikita Hand’s civil case against MMA fighter Conor McGregor, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said.

The charity was reacting to the verdict in the High Court on Friday which saw Ms Hand win her case for damages against McGregor who she accused of raping her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.