Conor McGregor Faces Criticism Over Presidential Nomination Bid

Conor McGregor has been labelled as having a “negligible chance” of securing a nomination for the upcoming presidential election in Ireland. This assessment comes from Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party, who publicly criticized the former mixed martial arts champion during a visit to Britain. McGregor has stated his intention to seek nominations from county councillors ahead of the election scheduled for next month.

In a statement to reporters, Harris expressed his disapproval of McGregor, asserting that he “represents the very worst of us” and is “a very bad person.” The criticism stems from McGregor’s past, particularly a civil court ruling in which he was found responsible for rape. Harris emphasized that McGregor does not embody the qualities that the majority of Irish citizens would expect from their president. He stated, “Conor McGregor is a person who has been found responsible for rape in a civil court in Ireland. That’s a statement of fact,” underscoring the serious nature of the allegations against the former athlete.

Under the current nomination process for presidential candidates, aspirants must secure the backing of either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities. Harris noted the transparency of this process, reiterating his belief that McGregor’s chances of receiving a nomination are slim.

In response, McGregor challenged Harris’s remarks, claiming that the Tánaiste is deliberately attempting to tarnish his reputation. He accused Harris of being “completely out of touch” and stated that his campaign is focused on addressing the issues that resonate with many Irish citizens. “He must resign, and when I take the presidency, I’ll ensure accountability,” McGregor added, suggesting that Harris’s political career may be in jeopardy.

The controversy surrounding McGregor follows a civil case in which he was ordered to pay €250,000 in damages to Nikita Hand after a jury found he assaulted her in a Dublin hotel. This ruling came after she accused him of rape at the Beacon hotel on December 9, 2018. In July of this year, McGregor lost his appeal against the jury’s decision, solidifying the legal consequences of his actions.

As McGregor navigates his presidential aspirations, other potential candidates are emerging. Former TD Marc MacSharry has been reaching out to councillors regarding a possible presidential bid by musician and activist Bob Geldof. MacSharry, who established the consultancy Pontis Advisory Ltd after leaving politics, has been surveying local representatives about their willingness to support Geldof.

Some councillors in Kerry have indicated that they were contacted by MacSharry to gauge interest in supporting Geldof’s potential candidacy. The first special meeting allowing presidential hopefuls to present their case to councillors will be held in Kerry. Although Geldof has not yet appeared on any formal list of candidates for the presidency, he has reportedly discussed the possibility with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Martin, who has indicated a preference for former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin as the Fianna Fáil candidate, informed Geldof that he was unable to nominate him.

Attempts to reach Geldof for comment have been unsuccessful, but reactions from councillors suggest a cautious approach to his potential candidacy. One independent councillor, Charlie Farrelly, confirmed that he was contacted by MacSharry regarding support for Geldof but clarified that he would not endorse him. Other councillors echoed this sentiment, stating that the discussions were primarily to gauge interest rather than to solicit formal nominations.

In addressing inquiries about his outreach to councillors, MacSharry emphasized the confidentiality of his consultancy work and declined to disclose details about who commissioned the research. He stated, “You will respect that Pontis Advisory Limited do not comment on our clients’ details or specific services being provided to them.”

As the presidential election approaches, the dynamics among potential candidates continue to evolve, with McGregor’s controversial past and ambitions juxtaposed against the emerging figures like Geldof. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal as candidates seek the necessary support to secure their place on the ballot.