Dublin City Councillors Express Discomfort Over McGregor’s Nomination Speech

Dublin City councillors, particularly female representatives, have voiced their discomfort regarding former MMA fighter Conor McGregor addressing them as part of his presidential nomination campaign. McGregor, who has previously faced serious legal issues, is among twelve candidates scheduled to speak to the council on October 16, 2024.

In November 2023, a civil court found McGregor liable for the rape of Nikita Hand, resulting in a nearly €250,000 payout to the victim. Following this ruling, McGregor lost an appeal against the High Court decision. Since then, he has launched his presidential campaign, declaring his intention to “Make Ireland Great Again.”

Concerns about McGregor’s past have been echoed by several councillors. Mary Callaghan, a member of the Social Democrats, articulated the discomfort many feel, stating, “Most people feel uncomfortable in a room with a man with the background he has, in terms of how he has treated women.”

While some councillors contemplated walking out in protest during McGregor’s address, Hazel Chu from the Green Party emphasized the importance of staying present in the council chamber. “I can understand why people would do that; this is a very serious matter,” she noted. “But we’re not leaving the chamber for that. We are there to represent, and we will sit and listen, but we don’t have to endorse or agree.”

In contrast, Racheal Batten, a councillor from Fianna Fail, expressed a clear stance against McGregor’s suitability for the role, stating, “My own view is that he doesn’t have any support within the council. Anybody going for President is supposed to be a role model.”

The presidential race is heating up, with candidates needing the support of four local authorities or at least twenty members of the Dáil Éireann (TDs) or Senators to qualify for the ballot in the upcoming election on October 24, 2024. One of the candidates, Heather Humphreys from Fine Gael, recently launched her campaign, emphasizing the importance of representing the values of the entire nation rather than a single political tradition.

At the launch of her campaign, Humphreys presented a personal touch, posing with her family at Monaghan’s Peace Campus. She articulated her desire to bring her life experiences to the presidential office, stating, “The President represents our values and hopes as a country — not simply those from any one political tradition.”

As the political landscape in Ireland evolves, the upcoming council meeting will serve as a critical moment for both McGregor and the councillors, highlighting the ongoing dialogue around issues of representation and accountability in public office.