Conor McGregor has sparked a backlash from Irish political leaders after claiming parts of Ireland are overrun with immigrants as he meets US president Donald Trump.
McGregor flew into Washington for what he called the “biggest meeting of my country’s future” and the former two-weight UFC world champion is expected to meet President Trump later on Monday. But after posing at the White House, he took questions from the media about Ireland’s immigration.
“Our money is being spent overseas, things that have nothing to do with the Irish people. Illegal immigration is ravaging our country. Rural towns where Irish have become minorities. Irish-Americans need to hear this, we need US leadership,” he said as he addressed reporters. “What is going on in Ireland is a travesty,” he added.
“Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability. Ireland and America, we are siblings. We consider America our big sibling. So it’s important for Ireland to be a peaceful, prosperous country for 40 million Irish Americans to have a place to visit, come back to their home. So 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. And that’s how we feel.”
Responding to McGregor’s comments on X, Irish prime minister Micheal Martin 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.” Deputy prime minister of Ireland Simon Harris added: “Conor McGregor is not in the US representing Ireland, he doesn’t speak for Ireland, or its people.”
Last week, Trump praised McGregor when asked who his favourite Irishman was. “I do happen to like your fighter,” he said. “He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great… Ireland’s always had a lot of good fighters… you know why, because they’re tough people.”
McGregor has not fought in the UFC for almost four years since he broke his leg in the first round of his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021. He was due to return to the cage last summer against Michael Chandler but pulled out two weeks before the bout, claiming he had broken his toe in training.
Later this week, McGregor’s appeal against the verdict in his civil case will come to court. The Dubliner was fined £200,000 last year after being found liable of assaulting a woman who accused him of rape in a Dublin hotel more than six years ago. Ms Nikita Hand accused McGregor of raping her in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel in December 2018.
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