Simon Harris Critiques McGregor’s Presidential Ambitions

Former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor faces significant criticism regarding his intention to secure a nomination for the upcoming presidential election in Ireland. Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party, stated that McGregor has “a negligible chance” of receiving the necessary endorsements from local authorities.

During a press conference in Britain on Friday, Harris condemned McGregor, asserting that he “represents the very worst of us” and described him as “a very bad person.” These remarks follow McGregor’s call to his online supporters to lobby county councillors for nominations, which are required for him to appear on the ballot. Candidates must secure endorsements from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities to enter the presidential race.

Harris emphasized the severity of McGregor’s past, referencing a civil court ruling where McGregor was found liable for assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel, resulting in a damages award of €250,000. He remarked, “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 expressed that such a figure does not embody the values that most citizens would want in a president.

While Harris dismissed McGregor’s chances, the former fighter responded defiantly, stating that Harris is “completely out of touch” with the Irish public. McGregor insisted that his campaign addresses issues that resonate with many citizens, accusing Harris of attempting to “smear” his image by referencing the civil trial. He stated, “He must resign, and when I take the presidency, I’ll ensure accountability.”

In a separate political development, Marc MacSharry, a former member of the Dáil, is reaching out to councillors regarding a potential presidential bid by musician and activist Bob Geldof. MacSharry, who established the consultancy Pontis Advisory Ltd after leaving politics, has been conducting informal surveys to assess whether councillors would support Geldof’s candidacy.

Councillors in Kerry have begun to receive inquiries from MacSharry about Geldof’s potential run. Although Geldof has not formally announced his intention to seek a nomination, reports indicate he recently discussed the possibility with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Martin has indicated his support for former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s candidate and clarified that he cannot nominate Geldof.

While some councillors confirmed contact from MacSharry, they characterized the discussions as exploratory rather than advocacy for Geldof. One councillor, Charlie Farrelly, stated, “I said no” when asked if he would support Geldof. Another councillor noted that he was never asked to formally nominate Geldof, suggesting that MacSharry’s outreach was primarily to gauge interest.

The evolving political landscape in Ireland continues to capture attention, particularly with the presidential election approaching next month. As candidates vie for nominations, the scrutiny surrounding their pasts and public personas will likely play a significant role in shaping voter opinion.

In the meantime, the nomination process remains open, and the coming weeks will determine which candidates can secure the necessary endorsements to appear on the ballot.