Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) star Conor McGregor announced Monday that he was withdrawing his candidacy for the country’s presidential election, but added that his “commitment to Ireland does not end here”.
Nicknamed “The Notorious”, McGregor is a leading figure in the anti-immigration movement in Ireland and was hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House in March for St. Patrick’s Day.
He was convicted last November in a civil rape case and has also been sued in the US federal civil court by a woman accusing him of sexually assaulting her in Miami in June 2023.
“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” McGregor wrote on X.
In a lengthy message, he criticised Ireland’s electoral law, which requires the endorsement of 20 members of parliament or four local government authorities to validate a candidacy.