A couple who swore affidavits on behalf of Conor McGregor ahead of his civil appeal have been charged with perjury and have appeared before Dublin District Court. Our criminal defence solicitors act for clients in the District Court, Circuit Court and Central Criminal Court, much of it under the criminal legal aid scheme.
The charges
Samantha O'Reilly, 38, and Steven Cummins, 39, both of Cherry Orchard Drive in Ballyfermot, are accused of making statements they knew to be false. They were arrested at their home on the morning of Tuesday, September 29, following an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Ms O'Reilly is charged with two offences contrary to section 2(1) of the Perjury and Related Offences Act 2021. Mr Cummins faces a single charge under the same Act. Both are accused of giving, on affidavit during the course of judicial proceedings, a statement material in those proceedings that was false and that they knew to be false.
The alleged offending is said to have occurred on January 14, 2025, at Lincoln Lane in Dublin 7. Ms O'Reilly faces an additional charge alleged to have been committed at the same location on May 6, 2025.
Arrest and charge
Detective Sergeant Maria Cassells and Detective Garda Padraig Hanley, both of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, gave evidence of arresting the accused at their home. They were taken to Ballyfermot Garda Station, where both were charged and made no reply when cautioned.
Legal representation and the solicitors' dispute
Both accused told the court that they are not currently working and that they were applying for legal aid. Ms O'Reilly said her solicitor, Tony Collier, would like to deal with the matter after the strike. Mr Cummins told the court that his solicitor could not attend that day because of the strike, but had asked for a date on which he was available.
The strike refers to the continuing withdrawal of services by criminal defence solicitors in the dispute over District Court criminal legal aid fees.
Bail conditions
Gardaí consented to bail subject to conditions, including a weekly signing on, remaining contactable by phone at all times, and having no contact with witnesses in the case. Both accused told Judge Michele Finan that they understood the conditions.
Sent forward to the Circuit Court
The detectives told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the case go forward for trial on indictment before the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers on conviction. The Director had also consented to the accused going forward on a signed plea.
The case was adjourned to November 9 for service of the book of evidence.
A Garda spokesperson said that an investigation into a referral received from the Court of Appeal in 2025 had been conducted by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and that a file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Acting on directions from that office, investigating gardaí arrested and charged a man and a woman in connection with the investigation.
Background to the case
In November 2024, a High Court jury found Conor McGregor civilly liable for the rape of Nikita Hand at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018 and awarded her almost €250,000 in damages. He appealed that decision and had been expected to call evidence from Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins relating to an alleged incident involving Ms Hand around the time of the assault, but that evidence was withdrawn.
Neither accused has yet indicated a plea. The allegations remain before the courts and no findings have been made.
Read the full original report here: Irish Independent