Conor McGregor Faces Criticism Over Presidential Nomination Bid

Conor McGregor’s attempts to secure a presidential election nomination have drawn sharp criticism from Simon Harris, Ireland’s Tánaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party. Harris stated on October 20, 2023, that McGregor has a “negligible chance” of receiving the necessary endorsements from local councils for his presidential bid.

McGregor, a former mixed martial arts champion, has publicly announced his intention to seek nominations from county councillors to qualify for the election slated for next month. Under Irish law, candidates must obtain endorsements from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities to appear on the ballot. During a visit to Britain, Harris expressed strong disapproval of McGregor, stating, “He represents the very worst of us” and called him “a very bad person.”

Harris emphasized McGregor’s past, referencing a civil court case in which McGregor 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 asserted. He went on to say that McGregor does not embody the values that the majority of Irish citizens would expect in a president.

In response, McGregor pushed back against Harris’s comments, asserting that his campaign addresses issues important to many Irish people. He accused Harris of attempting to “smear” him by bringing up the civil trial and dismissed the Tánaiste’s remarks as indicative of a “failed leader.” McGregor stated, “He must resign, and when I take the presidency, I’ll ensure accountability.”

The controversy surrounding McGregor follows his recent legal battles. In 2022, he was ordered to pay €250,000 in damages after a jury ruled in favor of Hand, who sued him over an alleged incident that occurred on December 9, 2018. McGregor lost an appeal against the jury’s decision earlier this year.

Harris’s comments come amidst discussions about other potential candidates for the presidency. Former TD Marc MacSharry has reached out to councillors regarding support for Bob Geldof, the musician and activist known for founding Live Aid. MacSharry, who established a consultancy called Pontis Advisory Ltd. after stepping away from politics, has been surveying local representatives to gauge interest in a possible presidential run by Geldof.

Some councillors in Kerry, where the local authority is set to hold meetings for presidential hopefuls, reported being contacted by MacSharry. They clarified that the discussions were meant to assess support rather than actively campaign for Geldof. One councillor, Charlie Farrelly, confirmed he was approached by MacSharry but stated he would not support Geldof’s candidacy.

Geldof himself has not yet confirmed his intentions but was reported to have discussed the possibility of a presidential run with Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach. Martin mentioned he would not be in a position to nominate Geldof, as he favors former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin for the Fianna Fáil candidacy.

While McGregor’s presidential ambitions face significant hurdles, the political landscape in Ireland continues to evolve with potential new candidates emerging. As the election approaches, the nomination process remains a critical focus for both established and independent hopefuls.