Conor McGregor Faces Criticism Over Presidential Bid Claims

Conor McGregor’s aspirations for a presidential nomination in Ireland have drawn sharp criticism from Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris. During a recent visit to Britain, Harris stated that McGregor has “a negligible chance” of securing the nomination, highlighting the former mixed martial arts champion’s controversial past. McGregor, who previously lost a civil rape case, intends to seek support from local councillors to gain the necessary endorsements for his candidacy.

Harris openly condemned McGregor, saying he “represents the very worst of us” and described him as “a very bad person.” The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that McGregor’s civil court ruling is a matter of public record, asserting, “Conor McGregor is a person who has been found responsible for rape in a civil court in Ireland. That’s a statement of fact.” Harris added that he does not believe McGregor embodies the qualities that most citizens would want in a president.

Candidates for the presidency must secure nominations from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities. McGregor has called on his followers to persuade councillors to support him, as acquiring the backing of four local councils would place him on the ballot for the upcoming election next month.

In response to Harris’s remarks, McGregor claimed his campaign addresses issues that resonate with a majority of Irish people. He accused the Deputy Prime Minister of attempting to “smear” him by referencing the civil trial, stating that such tactics would not distract from Harris’s record of “broken promises and failures.” McGregor expressed confidence that he would hold Harris accountable for his leadership when he assumes the presidency.

The former mixed martial arts fighter has faced legal troubles, including a judgment ordering him to pay €250,000 in damages to Nikita Hand, who accused him of assault in a Dublin hotel. In July, McGregor lost his appeal against the jury’s finding in favor of Hand regarding an alleged incident on December 9, 2018.

As McGregor contemplates his presidential bid, other political figures are also exploring potential candidacies. Former TD Marc MacSharry has been reaching out to councillors regarding a possible run by musician and activist Bob Geldof. MacSharry, who established a consultancy after leaving politics, is gathering feedback from local representatives to assess their interest in supporting Geldof’s candidacy.

While some councillors in Kerry have confirmed receiving contact from MacSharry, they noted that the discussions were primarily exploratory rather than an active campaign for Geldof. One councillor stated, “I was never asked to nominate or support him [Geldof].”

Geldof has not formally announced his candidacy, but reports indicate he had discussions with Taoiseach Micheál Martin about the possibility. Martin has expressed his support for former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s candidate, clarifying that he is not in a position to endorse Geldof.

The upcoming election is generating significant interest, with independent candidates, including businessman Gareth Sheridan and former solicitor Nick Delehanty, set to address the Kerry County Council on Monday.

The political landscape in Ireland continues to evolve as figures like McGregor and Geldof explore their options for the presidency, prompting discussions about integrity, representation, and the values that should define the nation’s leadership.