It comes amid reports Conor McGregor is in Washington DC for St Patrick’s Day celebrations
Conor McGregor(Image: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Conor McGregor has been told he “represents the very worst of Irish society” by Tánaiste Simon Harris.
Mr Harris was speaking amid reports that the MMA fighter was in Washington DC for St Patrick’s Day. Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Asked about the reports, Mr Harris, speaking following a meeting with the UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves in London on Monday, said: “It’s a matter for the United States of America who they let into their country.
“But my view of Conor McGregor is well known, he represents the very worst of us.”
In November 2024, the Dublin fighter was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin brought by a woman who accused him of rape.
Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against Mr McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
A few months later, he met with US President Donald Trump in the White House on St Patrick’s Day and criticised the Irish Government on various issues during the meeting.
Mr Harris, speaking on Monday, insisted that the focus of the day should be on Jessie Buckley, who clinched the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Hamnet during Sunday night’s ceremony.
Tanaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris
He stated: “Today we’re celebrating Jessie Buckley, someone who represents the best of Ireland, an incredible person who’s shattered a glass ceiling, the first Irish woman to win best actress at the Oscars, an incredible ambassador for our country.
“Conor McGregor represents the very worst of Irish society.
“Nobody needs any advice from me, but you know, tomorrow is a celebration of Irishness, of our values, of inclusion, of the best of us and when I think of the best of us, I don’t think of Conor McGregor.”
The Tanaiste lauded Buckley’s “amazing humanity and compassion”, saying her achievement is “a moment of great joy and great delight at a very difficult and uncertain time in the world”.
He also extended his congratulations to Richard Baneham, who bagged his third visual effects Oscar for his work on Avatar: Fire And Ash.