The vehicle was set alight outside the councillor’s residence
Paul Healy and Michael O’Toole
08:58, 04 May 2026Updated 09:12, 04 May 2026
The truck given to Councillor Sutcliffe by McGregor
Gardaí have launched an investigation following a deliberate arson attack on a customised truck that UFC star Conor McGregor presented to his original boxing trainer.
Emergency services, including Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade, attended the scene of the targeted fire outside the residence of former two-time Olympian boxer and current Dublin City Councillor Philip Sutcliffe during the early hours of Friday morning.
Councillor Sutcliffe, an independent representative who trained McGregor in his formative years, received the vehicle – adorned with McGregor’s ‘Forged Irish Stout’ branding – as a gift from the mixed martial arts champion in 2023.
In the early hours of Friday, the Toyota Hilux, still displaying the fighter’s promotional branding, was deliberately set alight outside Mr Sutcliffe’s residence on the Naas Road in Inchicore, Dublin.
When approached for a statement regarding the incident, a woman who described herself as Cllr Sutcliffe’s “secretary” declined to comment and expressed frustration at being contacted during a Bank Holiday weekend, reports the Irish Mirror.
“This is his secretary. You do know it’s Sunday and a Bank Holiday, do you?
“No he’s fine, he won’t be speaking on it. OK?” she stated.
When informed that the enquiry was simply to offer the Councillor, as a public representative, the chance to address the troubling incident, she responded: “I said it’s fine, I won’t be discussing anything with a journalist. If you don’t mind if you’d respect our privacy please we’d appreciate that.
Sutcliffe with McGregor
“You do what you need to do. It’s a Sunday morning ringing about an incident and quite frankly it’s none of your business or anybody else’s business at that. Ok?
“Maybe start writing some good things instead of bad things. Maybe start writing about all the good things he’s doing for the community. That would be nice.
“Why don’t you ring when something positive happens? Why don’t you ring then?” she said.
Gardaí, responding to an enquiry from the Irish Mirror, confirmed that an investigation into the incident has been opened.
“Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage outside a residential property on Naas Road, Dublin 12 in the early hours of Friday 1st May, 2026,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and extinguished the car on fire. No persons were injured.”
Cllr Sutcliffe sparked controversy in 2024 when he left Independent Ireland following backlash over his backing of McGregor, who was facing a civil case brought by rape accuser Nikita Hand.
Sutcliffe getting his new truck
He secured election to Dublin City Council representing the Ballyfermot-Drimnagh ward.
In 2023, McGregor personally presented Sutcliffe, who coached him at Crumlin Amateur Boxing Club during his youth, with the ‘Forged Irish Stout’ branded jeep.
The fighter shared footage on his social media channels at the time showing Sutcliffe receiving the keys to the vehicle from Liam Flynn, manager at his Black Forge Inn pub. “On behalf of Conor McGregor, he wants to give you this for yourself. This is your new Jeep,” Mr Flynn announces in the footage.
“Thank you Conor, gentleman. Anything he touches turns to gold,” Sutcliffe replies, clutching a pint of the fighter’s stout.
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