Conor McGregor has been condemned by Ireland's taoiseach after the mixed martial arts fighter used a White House appearance to launch an anti-immigration tirade, saying Ireland was "on the cusp of losing its Irishness". The 36-year-old former UFC champion made the comments during an impromptu question-and-answer session alongside White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, having been invited by President Donald Trump ahead of a St Patrick's Day meeting.
McGregor, dressed in a green business suit for Ireland's national day, claimed an "illegal immigration racket" was "running ravage on the country" and said rural towns had been "overrun in one swoop". He said he was "here to raise the issue and highlight it" and that he would be listening to Trump on immigration, a key priority for the president as he seeks to increase deportations.
The remarks drew an immediate rebuke from Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who wrote on X: "Conor McGregor's remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland. St Patrick's Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship."
McGregor has cultivated ties with Trump's inner circle, attending an official pre-inauguration party in Washington in January, and was previously singled out by the president as one of his favourite Irish people. The UFC president and CEO, Dana White, is a prominent Trump ally. McGregor is also considering a run for the Irish presidency later this year, despite being ordered by a civil court in November to pay nearly €250,000 (£210,000) in damages to a woman who accused him of rape and battery in a Dublin hotel in 2018. He denies the allegations and is appealing.
Immigration has become a contentious issue in Ireland, with many arrivals entering via Northern Ireland and crossing the border into the Republic. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has pledged to clamp down on those not entitled to international protection, noting that more than 80% of asylum applications in January were rejected at first instance.
