Combined martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has mentioned he’s now not looking for to run in subsequent month’s Irish presidential election.
His announcement on Monday got here hours earlier than he was as a result of deal with conferences of Dublin Metropolis Council and Kildare County Council, the place he was looking for to safe the nominations wanted for his identify to be on the poll.
In a publish on social media, McGregor mentioned the choice to withdraw his identify had come “following cautious reflection, and after consulting with my household”.
Eire will head to the polls on 24 October, with three candidates to date having secured the backing wanted from Irish lawmakers or native authorities to face within the race.
Presidential hopefuls have to be an Irish citizen aged 35 or older, and require the endorsement of a minimum of 20 members of the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, or 4 out of Eire’s 31 native authorities.
McGregor, a former champion fighter who has not competed professionally since July 2021, mentioned: “This was not a simple resolution, however it’s the proper one at this second in time.”
The 37-year-old, who first vowed to run for the presidency final yr, mentioned he was “actually humbled” by the “assist and encouragement” he acquired.
He mentioned the election’s eligibility guidelines have been a “straitjacket” that prevented “a real democratic presidential election being contested”.
Earlier this yr, McGregor misplaced a civil jury enchantment towards a discovering that he had sexually assaulted a girl, which he denied.
Nikita Hand accused McGregor of raping her in a lodge in Dublin in 2018. In November 2024, she received her declare towards him for damages in a civil case.
McGregor was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages plus prices to Ms Hand.
Potential presidential candidates have till 24 September to safe the backing wanted to make it onto the poll, with three to date having completed so.
Catherine Connolly is an impartial who’s backed by some left-wing events – Labour, the Social Democrats, and Individuals Earlier than Revenue.
Jim Gavin has been chosen by Fianna Fáil, which is the most important social gathering within the Irish parliament and led by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Heather Humphreys is the candidate for Positive Gael, a centre-right social gathering which is at present in coalition authorities with Fianna Fáil.