Conor McGregor Faces Criticism Over Presidential Ambitions

Former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor is facing significant criticism as he seeks a presidential nomination for the upcoming election in Ireland. Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party, described McGregor as someone who “represents the very worst of us” and stated he has “a negligible chance” of securing the nomination. Harris’s remarks came during a press conference on Friday while he was visiting Britain.

McGregor announced that he would seek nominations from local councillors to gain a place on the ballot for the presidential election scheduled for next month. Candidates must obtain endorsements from either 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities. Recently, McGregor called on his supporters to lobby councillors for this purpose.

During his comments, Harris referenced McGregor’s recent legal troubles, including a civil rape case in which he was found responsible and ordered to pay €250,000 in damages to Nikita Hand. “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 stated. He emphasized that such a figure does not embody the qualities that the Irish people would want in a president.

In response to the criticism, McGregor defended his campaign, claiming it addresses issues that resonate with many Irish citizens. He accused Harris of attempting to “smear” him by bringing up the civil trial, asserting that it would not distract from his record of public service. “He’s completely out of touch and will be remembered as a failed leader,” McGregor said, adding that he would ensure accountability when elected.

Potential Rivalries and Other Candidates

As McGregor’s presidential ambitions unfold, other figures are also exploring their options. Former TD Marc MacSharry has been reaching out to councillors regarding a potential bid by musician and activist Bob Geldof. MacSharry, who established a consultancy named Pontis Advisory Ltd after leaving politics, is surveying local representatives about their willingness to support Geldof.

Some councillors in Kerry have confirmed receiving inquiries from MacSharry about Geldof’s potential candidacy. The local authority is set to hold its first special meeting where presidential hopefuls can present their case for support.

The Irish Times reports that MacSharry’s outreach aims to gauge interest rather than actively campaign for Geldof. One councillor, Charlie Farrelly, confirmed that he was contacted but stated, “I said no” to supporting Geldof. Others echoed this sentiment, indicating that they were approached merely for feedback on the musician’s viability as a candidate.

Despite the discussions, Geldof has not formally entered the race and has not appeared on any lists of candidates seeking to address councillors. However, he recently had a conversation with Taoiseach Micheál Martin about the possibility of running. Martin expressed that he was not in a position to nominate Geldof as a candidate.

As the electoral landscape develops, independent candidates such as businessman Gareth Sheridan and former solicitor Nick Delehanty are also anticipated to present their cases to the Kerry County Council. The dynamics of the presidential race continue to evolve as candidates position themselves for the upcoming nomination process.

The political climate in Ireland remains charged as McGregor’s controversial past and the emergence of new candidates set the stage for a potentially unpredictable election.