SDLP MP says Ireland is ‘embarrassed’ by Conor McGregor following White House appearance

SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has said that Irish people are “embarrassed” by Conor McGregor following the MMA fighter’s appearance at the White House.

Press wrangler Allison Schuster shared photos of Mr McGregor at the podium in the White House briefing room on Monday afternoon, where she said he took “surprise questions” and signed a “Make Ireland Great Again” hat.

He described Ireland as the “little bro” which should be “looked after” by the United States as he said he was in Washington to raise issues like an “illegal immigration racket” that is “running ravage on the country”.

Commenting on X, Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: “Conor McGregor has never been elected to anything, he doesn’t represent the Irish people. In fact, we’re all pretty embarrassed by him.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that McGregor “does not speak for Ireland” while Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his remarks are “wrong and do not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland”.

In a post shared to X, Mr Martin said: “St. Patrick’s Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris said Mr Trump can “invite whoever he wants” to the White House and he is “perfectly entitled” to invite whoever he wishes.

Conor McGregor criticises Irish Government during speech at the White House

“But let me be very clear, Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland. He is here in a personal capacity. He does not speak for Ireland, he does not speak for the people of Ireland, he has no mandate to do such.”

Speaking to reporters in New York, Mr Harris said his views on Mr McGregor are “long-standing” and “on the public record”.

The White House shared video of Mr McGregor walking from the building on Monday afternoon saying: “Happy Paddy’s Day, America.”

It comes just days after Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with Mr Trump in the Oval Office, during which the American leader was asked who his “favourite” Irish person was.

“I do happen to like your fighter. He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great, right? But you have a lot of great Irish fighters actually,” Mr Trump said.

Mr McGregor told those gathered in the briefing room today that Ireland and America are “siblings” and it is “important for Ireland to have a peaceful, happy, prosperous country for the 40 million Irish-Americans to have a place to visit, to come back to their home”.

“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.”

He added that he was in Washington to raise the issues that Irish people face, which he said have “never” been spoken “on the main stage”.

“Our Government has long since abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland and it’s high time that America is made aware of what is going on in Ireland.”

He accused the Irish Government of having “zero accountability” and said Irish money was being spent “on overseas issues that has nothing to do with the Irish people”, adding that the “illegal immigration racket is running ravage on the country”.

He said rural towns have been “overrun” and Irish-Americans “need to hear this because if not there will be no place to come home and visit”.

Mr McGregor said he is “inspired” by Mr Trump’s work ethic.

In a post shared yesterday, Mr McGregor had said he was due to land in Washington “for the most important meeting of my countries (sic) future”.

“I am beyond ready. The world will hear Ireland’s call.”

The official White House account also shared a photo of Mr McGregor posed with his fists up in front of two portraits of Mr Trump and his vice president JD Vance today.

Last November, a High Court civil jury found Nikita Hand was assaulted by Mr McGregor in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford on 9 December, 2018.

She was awarded €248,603 in damages against Mr McGregor.

The mixed martial arts fighter has lodged an appeal against the verdict in the civil rape case, which is listed to come before the Court of Appeal on March 21.

The former UFC champion instructed his lawyers to lodge an appeal directly after the verdict was handed down last November following a 12-day trial.

Speaking in New York today, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he did not want to comment on matters that may again appear before the courts, but added that he has previously spoken with Ms Hand.

“I admire her bravery, her courage and I would much rather be talking about Nikita Hand than Conor McGregor, quite frankly.”

On whether he believed Mr Martin should have said something in the Oval Office when Mr Trump discussed Mr McGregor as one of his favourite Irish people, Mr Harris said: “I think the Taoiseach did a very good job representing our country in the Oval Office and I’m very proud of the job that he did.”

Asked whether he believed a potential endorsement of Mr McGregor by Mr Trump in the Irish presidential race would amount to election interference, Mr Harris said: “In general I think it’s always better for elections to be decided, obviously, by those who live in a country and by the people of Ireland, and that’s how our presidential election will be decided.

“I don’t wish to provide free airtime here to Mr McGregor. I don’t expect he is going to be the president of Ireland. We have a long and proud tradition of electing excellent people of integrity and decency to Áras an Uachtaráin.”