Tánaiste says Conor McGregor 'doesn't speak for Ireland' as MMA fighter arrives at White House

LAST UPDATE | 22 hrs ago

THE TÁNAISTE HAS said that Conor McGregor “doesn’t speak for the people of Ireland” after the MMA fighter arrived in Washington to hold a meeting with US President Donald Trump. 

The White House shared a video on X of McGregor emerging from the building before saying “Happy Paddy’s Day, America” to the camera. 

He also briefly spoke to reporters in the White House briefing room alongside Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed that he will meet with the US President this afternoon.

“We couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St Patrick’s Day,” Leavitt said. 

In November last year, McGregor was deemed liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in the Beacon Hotel on 9 December 2018, with the jury in the case awarding Hand over €248,000 in damages.

McGregor’s appeal against the jury’s finding will come before the Court of Appeal this week. 

Speaking to reporters in New York, Simon Harris said Trump is “perfectly entitled” to invite whoever he wants into his home.

“But let me be very clear. Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland. He’s here in a personal capacity,” Harris said.

“He doesn’t speak for Ireland. He doesn’t speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such, and my views on him are very clear, well established, previously articulated, long standing and on the public record.”

Harris also said he admires Nikita Hand’s “bravery and courage”. 

In a post on X in the early hours of this morning, McGregor said he was due to land in Washington “for the most important meeting of my countries (sic) future”. 

Addressing reporters in the White House briefing room, McGregor said he was in the White House “to raise the issues the people of Ireland face”. 

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“It’ll be music to the people of Ireland’s ears because never on the main stage has the issues the people of Ireland face been spoke,” he said.

“Our government has long since abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland, and it’s high time that America is made aware of what is going on in Ireland. What is going on in Ireland is a travesty. Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability.

“Our money is being spent on overseas issues that has nothing to do with the Irish people. The illegal immigration racket is running ravage on the country. There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop, that have become a minority in one swoop.

“Issues need to be addressed, and the 40 million Irish Americans need to hear this, because if not, there will be no place to come home and visit.”

Asked what should happen to undocumented Irish people living in the US, McGregor said Ireland considers America “our big sibling”.

“It’s important for Ireland to be a peaceful, prosperous country for the 40 million Irish Americans, to have a place to visit, to come back to their home,” he said.

“We wish for our relationship with the United States to continue, and we wish to be taken care of by the big bro. The United States should look after its little bro.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also criticised McGregor’s comments in the White House. 

Donald Trump praised McGregor during his Oval Office meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin last week. 

“I do happen to like your fighter,” Trump said in reference to McGregor. “He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great, right?”.

Asked by The Journal whether Martin should have said something when Trump praised the MMA fighter, Harris said: “I think the Taoiseach did a very good job representing our country in the Oval Office, and I’m very proud of the job he did.”

When asked by reporters if Trump potentially endorsing McGregor to run for president of Ireland would amount to election interference, the Tánaiste said: “I think it’s always better for elections to be decided, obviously, by those who live in a country and by the people of Ireland, and that’s how our presidential election will be decided.

“I don’t expect [McGregor] is going to be the president of Ireland. We have a long and proud tradition of electing excellent people of integrity and decency to Áras an Uachtaráin.”

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