Simon Harris Critiques Conor McGregor’s Presidential Aspirations

Conor McGregor’s pursuit of a presidential nomination in Ireland has faced sharp criticism from Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party. Harris declared that McGregor has “a negligible chance” of securing the nomination as he seeks support from local councillors ahead of next month’s election.

Harris spoke to reporters during a visit to Britain on March 15, 2024, where he described McGregor as someone who “represents the very worst of us” and labeled him “a very bad person.” The former mixed martial arts champion, who was found liable in a civil case involving sexual assault, is attempting to gather nominations from four local authorities, which is one of the requirements to appear on the presidential ballot.

The nomination process in Ireland necessitates endorsements from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local councils. Harris emphasized that the democratic process is clear and transparent, asserting that McGregor’s prospects of receiving a nomination are extremely low. “Conor McGregor is a person who has been found responsible for rape in a civil court in Ireland. That’s a statement of fact,” he stated.

In response, McGregor dismissed Harris’s comments, asserting that the Tánaiste is out of touch with the public. He accused Harris of attempting to “smear” his campaign, asserting that his platform addresses issues resonating with many Irish citizens. McGregor further claimed that Harris would be remembered as a “failed leader” and called for his resignation.

Last year, McGregor was ordered to pay €250,000 in damages to Nikita Hand after a jury found him responsible for assaulting her in a Dublin hotel. He lost an appeal against this verdict in July 2023. The incident in question dates back to December 9, 2018, when the alleged assault took place at the Beacon hotel.

Meanwhile, political interest is also surrounding musician and activist Bob Geldof, as former TD Marc MacSharry has been reaching out to councillors regarding a potential presidential bid for the artist. MacSharry, who established a consultancy firm after leaving politics, is gauging interest in Geldof’s candidacy among local representatives.

Councillors in Kerry County, where the first special meeting for presidential hopefuls will be held, have been contacted by MacSharry. While some councillors confirmed discussions about Geldof’s potential run, they clarified that the outreach was more about assessing interest rather than actively campaigning on his behalf.

One councillor, Charlie Farrelly, mentioned receiving a call from MacSharry, but expressed he would not support Geldof if he were to seek council backing. Others echoed similar sentiments, indicating that while they were approached for their opinions, they were not solicited for nominations.

Attempts to reach Geldof for comment were unsuccessful, but reports suggest he discussed his presidential ambitions with Taoiseach Micheál Martin last week. Martin, who is advocating for former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin as the candidate for Fianna Fáil, informed Geldof that he was unable to nominate him.

MacSharry refrained from sharing details about his outreach, stating, “You will respect that Pontis Advisory Limited do not comment on our clients’ details or specific services being provided to them.”

The upcoming election has intensified discussions surrounding potential candidates, with McGregor’s controversial history and Geldof’s artistic background contributing to a dynamic political landscape in Ireland.