Dublin’s direct elected mayor is planning on the ice for Conor McGregor’s fears. The Irish government is reportedly delaying plans for Dublin’s directly elected mayor amid concerns that such a move could open the door for controversial figures like Conor McGregor to gain vital political power. McGregor’s recent presidential bid has been widely rejected as unlikely, but authorities are particularly wary of the more attainable mayor’s role in granting substantial authority over local budgets and taxes. Government hesitancy follows the election of Limerick’s first independent candidate as directly elected mayor, reinforcing fear that famous outsiders could win Dublin’s top municipal offices as well.
Controversial past of Conor McGregor raises concerns about the Dublin mayoral election
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has become a polarizing figure in Ireland’s public life, particularly after his burnt-cen-like social media posts during the 2023 Dublin riots. Authorities have investigated his online comments on alleged inciting hatred, writing that McGregor wrote, “Ireland, we are at war,” and denounced immigrants for the violence that erupted after stabbing him outside primary school.
He later accused Irish Parliament critics of “I will not tolerate the riots last night, and I will not tolerate the attacks on the first responders in their duties,” and critics of Irish Parliament among his millions of followers of “flogging this level of poison and hatred.”
Conor McGregor accused the government of making “scapegoats” because of anxiety, saying, “I’m going to scapegoats everything you want. If it makes me feel better, I’ll accept it.
Conor McGregor has publicly announced that he wants to become president of Ireland. In March 2025, McGregor declared his intention to compete in the upcoming Irish presidential election, established himself as a challenger to the government, and vowed to oppose the EU’s migration agreement.
McGregor’s campaign focuses on anti-immigrant rhetoric and promises to lead to a referendum if elected to the EU immigration agreement. He also draws attention to his recent visit to former US President Donald Trump, wearing a hat that “makes Ireland great again.”
Can Conor McGregor run Dublin? The government hesitates to vote mayorally
Beyond his recent political ambitions, McGregor’s past is characterized by a series of well-known incidents, including violence and public disability. He faces accusations of instigating riots, including his role in Dublin’s unrest in 2023, and has a history of confrontational action at sporting events, including the infamous brawl at Bellator 187 in Dublin and the 2018 attack on buses at UFC events in New York.
In November 2024, Conor McGregor was liable in a civil court for raping Nikita’s hand at a hotel in Dublin in 2018 and was ordered to pay more than 248,000 euros in damages. He determined that after hearing detailed testimony about the incident, McGregor attacked the hand on the incident, which included evidence of serious injuries and emotional trauma. McGregor denied the allegations, claiming that the encounter was an agreement and announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Despite his claims that it was the “only logical choice” leading Ireland, McGregor’s attempts to run for President face significant legal and political obstacles. Experts have said that even the chance of appearing in the polls is “close to zero,” and he notes that his popularity in Ireland has declined amid ongoing controversy and legal issues.