Conor McGregor Faces Criticism as Presidential Bid Unfolds

Conor McGregor’s attempt to secure a presidential nomination has drawn sharp criticism from Ireland’s Tánaiste, Simon Harris. Speaking during a visit to Britain, Harris remarked that McGregor “represents the very worst of us” and holds “a negligible chance” of receiving the necessary endorsements to contest next month’s election.

McGregor, a former mixed martial arts champion, has announced his intention to seek support from county councillors to secure a spot on the ballot. The nomination process requires candidates to gather endorsements from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities. The mixed martial artist called on his supporters to lobby local councillors, emphasizing that backing from four local authorities would allow him to proceed.

Harris’s comments were particularly pointed, referencing McGregor’s recent civil court case in which he was found liable for assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel. “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. Harris expressed his belief that McGregor does not embody the qualities that the majority of Irish citizens would expect from their president.

While Harris emphasized the integrity of the democratic nomination process, he maintained that McGregor’s chances of success are minimal. “We live in a democracy. We have a nomination process that’s clear, that’s transparent, that’s set out in our Constitution and anybody’s entitled to seek a nomination,” he said.

In response, McGregor defended his campaign by asserting that it addresses issues that resonate with many Irish people. He accused Harris of attempting to damage his reputation by referencing the civil trial, describing it as a smear tactic. “He’s completely out of touch and will be remembered as a failed leader. He must resign, and when I take the presidency, I’ll ensure accountability,” McGregor stated.

Last year, a High Court jury ordered McGregor to pay Hand €250,000 in damages after ruling in her favor following allegations of assault and rape that occurred on December 9, 2018. McGregor lost his appeal against the jury’s decision in July.

Separately, former TD Marc MacSharry has been reaching out to councillors regarding a potential presidential bid by musician and activist Bob Geldof. MacSharry, who established a consultancy firm, Pontis Advisory Ltd., after leaving politics, has surveyed councillors about their willingness to support Geldof’s candidacy.

Some councillors in Kerry, where the local authority will soon hold a meeting for presidential hopefuls to pitch their campaigns, confirmed they were contacted by MacSharry. However, the nature of these discussions was more about gauging interest than actively campaigning for Geldof.

Geldof, known for his involvement in humanitarian efforts and as a prominent musician, has not formally announced his candidacy. Last week, he reportedly discussed the possibility with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who expressed his support for former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s candidate but stated he could not nominate Geldof.

Attempts to reach Geldof for comments were unsuccessful. One Independent councillor in Kerry, Charlie Farrelly, confirmed MacSharry’s inquiry but indicated he would not support Geldof. Others echoed that they were contacted for feedback rather than being asked to formally endorse him.

MacSharry declined to comment on his outreach efforts, citing client confidentiality as a reason for not disclosing specific details about the research commissioned by Pontis Advisory Ltd.

As the presidential election approaches, the race to secure nominations is heating up, with McGregor and potential candidates like Geldof navigating a landscape marked by public scrutiny and political rivalry.