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McGregor comments don't reflect Irish views - Taoiseach

Updated / Tuesday, 18 Mar 2025 06:29
Conor McGregor met US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Photo via @WhiteHouse)
Conor McGregor met US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Photo via @WhiteHouse)

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have said remarks by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor at the White House, in which he was highly critical of Ireland's immigration policies, are not the views of the people of Ireland.

Ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump, the fighter said he was in Washington "to raise the issues the people of Ireland face".

Mr McGregor and his family were later pictured with Mr Trump in the Oval Office. He was also pictured with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

In a video posted on social media, the MMA fighter congratulated Mr Trump and said: "I’ll tell you what your work ethic is inspiring. Your work rate is inspiring."

In response, President Trump said: "Yours is too. You are fantastic."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris both said the remarks by Mr McGregor at the White House ahead of his meeting with Mr Trump are not the views of the people of Ireland.

Earlier, Mr McGregor accused the Irish Government of "abandoning the voices of the people of Ireland", saying it is "high time that America be made aware" of, what he called, a "travesty" happening in Ireland.

Mr McGregor was also highly critical of what he described as Ireland's welcoming policies towards immigration and support for asylum seekers.

The Taoiseach, in a post on social media, said Mr McGregor's comments were wrong.

"St Patrick’s Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship," he said.

"Conor McGregor’s remarks are wrong and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland."

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs said Mr McGregor does not speak for Ireland or the people of Ireland.

Speaking in New York, Mr Harris said it was up to Mr Trump to invite whoever he wants into his home and "he's perfectly entitled to do whatever he wishes in relation to who he decides to invite to the White House".

"But let me be very clear, Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland," he added.

The Tánaiste said Mr McGregor is in the US in "a personal capacity".

He said: "He doesn't speak for Ireland. He doesn't speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such."

Mr Harris said his views on Mr McGregor are "very clear, well established, previously articulated, long standing and on the public record".

Asked what kind of message Mr McGregor's meeting with Mr Trump on St Patrick’s Day sent out, the Tánaiste said: "I don't want to comment on a matter that may well end up before the courts again, other than to say I've spoken to Nikita Hand.

"I admire her bravery, her courage, and I'd much rather be talking about Nikita Hand than Conor McGregor, quite frankly."

Mr McGregor was introduced at the White House earlier by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said they "couldn't think of a better guest to have with us on St Patrick's Day".

In a statement, reacting to events in the White House, the Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said people could not be bystanders when sexual violence was being normalised.

Rachel Morrogh said it was really important "today of all days" to stand by "a truly heroic Irish community - the victims and survivors of sexual violence".

Ms Morrogh said reports that Mr McGregor had met the US President on St Patrick's Day were shocking given the civil judgment against him only 16 weeks ago.

During a hearing in January, High Court judge Alexander Owens said the jury in the civil action taken by hairdresser Nikita Hand had determined that Mr McGregor raped Ms Hand on 9 December 2018 and had awarded her almost €250,000 in damages.

The judge said the issue had been conclusively determined by the jury and would remain the position unless the verdict was overturned on appeal.

Mr McGregor has lodged an appeal against the verdict.

Ms Morrogh said people could not be bystanders when sexual violence was being normalised, when wrongdoers were being absolved by power and when the overriding message to survivors was one of callous indifference.

She said the Government's strategy in this area was called Zero Tolerance, adding that was the message everyone needed to communicate at all times, to all people, with no exceptions.

Ms Morrogh said people needed to stand up for what is right and ensure the hundreds of thousands of survivors of sexual violence living in Ireland know they are not alone.

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