Days after the conclusion of the Conor McGregor civil assault case, hundreds of people have gathered in Dublin to protest over perceived shortcomings in the criminal justice system.
Organised by the Rosa Socialist Movement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, its organisers questioned the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to bring criminal charges against the mixed martial arts star.
Having reviewed the evidence in the case in 2020, the DPP decided not to recommend prosecuting Mr McGregor over sexual assault allegations from Nikita Hand.
“There is a problem with the legal system. It’s absolutely horrendous for any victim of gender-based violence or homophobic violence to take a case through our courts,” Rosa member Ruth Coppinger told the crowd – estimated at between 200 and 300 people – which assembled in front of City Hall before marching to the DPP offices. “The levels of fortitude that you need are beyond comprehension.”
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Speaking before the event began, Ms Coppinger questioned why detailed evidence in the McGregor case was sufficient for a civil jury but not to bring about criminal charges.
“This is not the first time. Many others have told me over the years that the DPP is not going to progress their case,” she said, while acknowledging the need for firm evidence in considering potential prosecutions.
Standards of proof must be beyond reasonable doubt in criminal trials, compared to a “balance of probability” in civil cases.
[ How Nikita Hand won her battle against Conor McGregorOpens in new window ]
When the DPP declined to recommend charges against Mr McGregor, Ms Hand was told that, with the assistance of a senior counsel, it was decided the evidence did not support a reasonable prospect of conviction. That position was upheld in review.
Monday evening’s demonstration was also addressed by Limerick woman Natasha O’Brien whose own case, in which she was beaten unconscious by a serving soldier, prompted controversy over the treatment of victims earlier this year.
“When survivors are thrown away by the system and continuously ignored and made feel invisible, and they have to go out and fight by themselves for justice, what is our country doing to protect us? Nothing,” she said.
The demonstration was attended by many concerned about consent issues and gender-based violence more generally.
“I think there is too much violence against women. I don’t think consent is talked about enough,” said one woman named Anne. “I know several people [with experiences]. I have two daughters and I hear stories all the time.”
Sharon Coughlan Gaynor of Haven Horizons, an organisation focused on the prevention of domestic abuse and coercive control, said it was “despicable” the amount of victims whose voices were not heard.
“We’re making very small inroads into getting where we need to be,” she said of changing behaviours. “But we’re still a long way off. There needs to be a lot more collaboration; people need to stop working in silos.”
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