The sportsman announced his decision in a post on social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGregor said he had been \u201csincere and genuine\u201d about his intentions to contest the election and said he had been \u201ctruly humbled\u201d by the \u201csupport and encouragement\u201d he had received.<\/p>\n
He claimed the election eligibility rules in Ireland\u2019s \u201coutdated constitution\u201d was a \u201cstraitjacket\u201d that prevented a \u201ctrue democratic presidential election being contested\u201d.<\/p>\n
McGregor claimed the constitution ensured the election was \u201cfixed to ensure only Establishment approved candidates may be selected on the ballot\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis democratic deficit against the will of the Irish people has now been successfully magnified by my expression of interest,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a very short period, I have catalysed a mobilisation for positive change in Ireland against a malevolent political witch-hunt working together with the mainstream media supercharged Fake News.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is now a very visible and vocal movement of Irish Patriots reverting to our cultural and historical origins seeking to maintain and protect our way of life as Irish \u2013 to them I salute you. The current has changed and this tide cannot be held back!\u201d<\/p>\n
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Earlier this year,\u00a0McGregor\u00a0lost his appeal against a civil jury\u2019s finding in favour of Dublin woman Nikita Hand, who accused him of rape.<\/p>\n
Ms Hand, 35, successfully sued him in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have \u201cbrutally raped and battered\u201d her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.<\/p>\n
She was awarded almost 250,000 euro in damages and\u00a0McGregor\u00a0was also ordered to pay about 1.3 million euro in legal costs after the November trial.<\/p>\n
In his post on X, McGregor insisted his venture into elected politics was not over.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I will not contest this election, my commitment to Ireland does not end here,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will continue to serve my people by using my international platform to promote Irish interests abroad, to strengthen our economic opportunities, and to advocate for transparency and responsibility in public life at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis campaign has sparked an important conversation about democracy in Ireland about who gets to stand, who gets to choose, and how we can ensure that the presidency truly belongs to the people. That conversation will not end with my withdrawal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tide of change has begun, and it cannot be turned back. My first venture into politics, and although I have chosen to withdraw this round, meaningful progress has been made. I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election. You will see me canvassing again in the future, fighting for your rights and representing the best interests of our nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not the end, but the beginning of my political journey. I am driven by a commitment to improve lives, defend rights, and serve the Irish people with dedication and integrity. I will continue to serve my people on the global stage lobbying for Ireland\u2019s best interest\u2019s socially and economically \u2013 of that there is no doubt. This is a marathon. Not a sprint!\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Irish government minister Heather Humphreys is running for Fine Gael in the October 24 poll while ex-Dublin Gaelic football manager\u00a0Jim\u00a0Gavin\u00a0is the Fianna Fail candidate.<\/p>\n
Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of a number of smaller parties.<\/p>\n
Sinn Fein has not yet decided if it will run a candidate in the election while a range of other hopefuls will be addressing local authorities in the days ahead in an effort to secure the four nominations needed to get onto the ballot.<\/p>\n
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