Dublin couple charged with perjury over affidavits in Conor McGregor appeal
Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, who swore affidavits for Conor McGregor's planned appeal in the Nikita Hand civil case, were charged with perjury and are to face trial on indictment.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
A Dublin couple, Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, have been charged with perjury over affidavits connected to Conor McGregor's appeal against a civil finding of sexual assault. The Irish TimesLC “have been charged with perjury.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Sky NewsN “have been charged with perjury.” Read at Sky News ↗ Irish IndependentRC “have now been charged with perjury.” Read at Irish Independent ↗ They appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Tuesday after enquiries by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and have yet to enter pleas. The Irish TimesLC “appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Tuesday” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Both are accused of giving a false statement material to proceedings in an affidavit on January 14th, 2025, and O'Reilly faces an additional charge relating to May 6th, 2025. The Irish TimesLC “O’Reilly alone faces an additional charge for the same offence on May 6th, 2025.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment, meaning the Circuit Court; the offence carries a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment. The Irish TimesLC “The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ They must return to the District Court on November 9th for service of books of evidence, and were granted bail with conditions; both were unrepresented because of solicitors' industrial action over legal aid reforms. The Irish TimesLC “they must appear again at the District Court on November 9th” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Nikita Hand sued McGregor in 2024, and a civil jury found he had assaulted her and awarded her €248,603; McGregor denied rape, saying the sex was consensual. The Irish TimesLC “a civil jury found he had assaulted Hand and awarded her €248,603 in damages.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
The couple's affidavits were part of fresh evidence McGregor sought to introduce on Hand's bruising, but that application was withdrawn at the outset of the appeal, which the Court of Appeal then dismissed. The Irish TimesLC “The application to admit the neighbours’ evidence was withdrawn by McGregor’s side at the outset of the appeal.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Irish IndependentRC “before that evidence was dramatically withdrawn” Read at Irish Independent ↗ Hand denied the claims in the affidavit; the charges are allegations and no plea has been entered. The Irish TimesLC “Hand denied any altercation with her former partner and the claims in the affidavit.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Detailed court report of the hearing, charges, bail and legal aid context.
- Emphasis
- Procedure, dates, charges, sentence maximum and case background.
- Leaves out or plays down
- None significant.
- For example
-
“The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the couple, who live at Cherry Orchard Green, Ballyfermot, are to face trial on indictment.” — The Irish Times
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Brief news line stating the charges and calling the appeal 'failed'.
- Emphasis
- The charges against the pair who swore affidavits for McGregor.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Available text has no court details, dates or background.
- Charged language
- “failed appeal”
- For example
-
“A man and a woman who swore affidavits on behalf of Conor McGregor ahead of his appeal against a sexual assault finding have been charged with perjury.” — Sky News
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Podcast promo presenting the charges as a new twist in an internationally followed case.
- Emphasis
- Drama of the withdrawn evidence and what happens next.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No court details, bail or charge specifics in the text.
- Charged language
- “dramatically withdrawn”“fresh legal twist”
- For example
-
“The development brings a fresh legal twist to a case that has already attracted international attention.” — Irish Independent
What every side reports
- O'Reilly and Cummins have been charged with perjury over affidavits linked to McGregor's appeal.
- The appeal followed a civil finding against McGregor in the Nikita Hand case.
- The affidavit evidence was withdrawn.
Where accounts differ
-
How the finding is described
- Left
- Calls it a civil rape case finding; says jury found McGregor assaulted Hand.
- Centre
- Calls it a 'sexual assault finding'.
- Right
- Calls it the 'civil rape case'.
-
A couple who swore affidavits for Conor McGregor's planned appeal have been charged with perjury.
Reported- Reports 3
- The Irish Times, Sky News, Irish Independent
Conor McGregor person
McGregor denied the rape allegation, saying sex was consensual; his side withdrew the neighbours' evidence at the appeal's outset.
“McGregor denied the allegation, claiming they had consensual, “vigorous” sex.” — The Irish Times
Nikita Hand person
Hand sued McGregor and denied the altercation claims in the affidavit.
“Hand denied any altercation with her former partner and the claims in the affidavit.” — The Irish Times
Left1 article
-
Dublin couple accused of perjury over affidavits in Conor McGregor appeal to stand trial
Neutral Thorough, procedural court report.
Centre1 article
-
Neutral Short factual summary labelling the appeal as failed.
Right1 article
-
Couple charged with perjury over affidavits in Conor McGregor civil rape case appeal
Mixed Podcast teaser with a dramatic, intrigue-led tone.
- 29 Sep 12:44 First The Irish TimesLC Dublin couple accused of perjury over affidavits in Conor McGregor appeal to stand trial
- 29 Sep 14:22 +1h 37m Sky NewsN Man and woman charged with perjury following Conor McGregor's failed appeal over sexual assault finding
- 30 Sep 01:05 +12h 20m Irish IndependentRC Couple charged with perjury over affidavits in Conor McGregor civil rape case appeal
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.