Former mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has pulled out of Ireland's presidential election, complaining that the nomination rules are a 'straitjacket' preventing a true democratic contest. In a post on X on Monday, he said: 'Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race.'
McGregor, 37, had vowed to curb immigration to shore up 'Irish culture' and give power 'back to the people'. He had hoped to leverage his 10.7 million X followers and the backing of Elon Musk and Donald Trump to get on the ballot for the 24 October election. However, candidates must be nominated by either 20 members of parliament or four local authorities, and analysts said his chances of winning endorsements were slender.
Opinion polls showed scant popular support for McGregor, with just 7% of voters in one survey. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris said McGregor 'represents the very worst of us'. McGregor is a polarising figure; in July he lost an appeal over a civil court ruling that awarded damages to a woman who accused him of rape.
McGregor claimed his campaign had 'catalysed' a mobilisation against a malevolent establishment and mainstream media, adding: 'There is now a very visible and vocal movement of Irish patriots ... The current has changed and this tide cannot be held back!' Other celebrities who expressed interest but dropped out include Michael Flatley and Bob Geldof.
Three confirmed candidates remain: Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael), Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil), and Catherine Connolly (independent, backed by leftwing parties). Sinn Féin has yet to decide whether to field a candidate. An opinion poll at the weekend put Humphreys in the lead with 22%, Gavin on 18% and Connolly on 17%.
