Conor McGregor has claimed his controversial presidential bid has secured enough political support to get on the ballot, despite losing a high-profile civil rape case appeal last month and facing universal rejection from surveyed politicians.
The former UFC fighter made the extraordinary claim on social media platform X, stating he has support from TDs, councils and senators, including “the most prestigious party of them all.” However, he failed to provide any specifics about which politicians or councils had allegedly agreed to back his candidacy.
His assertion appears highly unlikely given the widespread political opposition to his campaign. A comprehensive survey of Ireland’s councillors found none of the 188 who responded would support McGregor’s nomination, with many citing him as unsuitable for the presidency.
Civil Rape Case Shadows Campaign
McGregor’s presidential ambitions come just weeks after he lost his appeal against a civil jury’s finding that he raped Dublin woman Nikita Hand. The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed all five grounds of his appeal in July, upholding the November 2024 verdict that found him civilly liable for assault.
Ms Hand, 35, was awarded €248,603.60 (£215,130) in damages, with McGregor also ordered to pay approximately €1.3 million (£1.1m) in legal costs. The incident occurred at a south Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018.
“This appeal has retraumatised me over and over again, being forced to relive it,” Ms Hand said after the appeal verdict. “To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please, don’t be silenced. You deserve to be heard, you also deserve justice.”
The three-judge Court of Appeal found aspects of evidence given by McGregor’s friend James Lawrence were “untruthful” and described circumstances surrounding withdrawn evidence as “somewhat mysterious.”
Constitutional Requirements Prove Challenging
To appear on the presidential ballot, McGregor requires nomination from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or four of Ireland’s 31 local councils. Former presidents can also nominate themselves for a second term.
Despite McGregor’s claims of secured support, political experts and surveyed councillors paint a starkly different picture. Professor Eoin O’Malley from Dublin City University described the chances of McGregor meeting these thresholds as “exceedingly unlikely.”
“There are no 20 Oireachtas members who would back his bid,” O’Malley explained. “McGregor is too controversial a figure” for councils to support him.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien was blunt in his assessment: “I don’t think he would be fit to hold that office.”
‘Most Prestigious Party’ Claim Unsubstantiated
McGregor’s cryptic reference to having support from “the most prestigious party of them all” remains unverified, with no major political party publicly linking themselves to his campaign.
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin – Ireland’s three largest parties – are all expected to field their own candidates, making support from their members highly improbable.
“I have it secured. I have councils on board. TD’s. Senators,” McGregor posted on X, adding: “Ireland’s Call will be answered. I am here for the will of the people. Only.”
However, when The Irish Times surveyed councillors in March, all 187 who responded said they would not support his nomination, with the exception of one Fianna Fáil councillor who said it was “too early to say.”
White House Links Fuel International Interest
McGregor’s presidential ambitions gained international attention following his St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House, where he met President Donald Trump. During the visit, he claimed Ireland was “on the cusp of losing its Irishness” due to an “illegal immigration racket.
His anti-immigration platform and connections to the Trump administration have raised concerns among Irish politicians about potential foreign interference in the nomination process.
“The vast majority of support that I have seen for Conor McGregor comes from people outside Ireland and is led by right-wing cheerleaders in the Trump administration,” said Labour councillor John Walsh.
Constitutional Challenge Threatened
Faced with political rejection, McGregor has threatened legal action, claiming the presidential election system is unconstitutional and launching a petition for change. He told The Sunday Times he is considering a legal challenge to the eligibility rules.
Law lecturer Jennifer Kavanagh from South East Technological University emphasised: “This is the highest role in the land. They are the first person of Ireland, so we have put in constitutional quality controls.”
Minister O’Brien responded that while McGregor was free to challenge the process, the Constitution was “clear” on requirements.
Current Presidential Race
As it stands, Independent TD Catherine Connolly is the only confirmed candidate with secured nominations for the election, which must be held by 11 November.
Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys appears likely to secure her party’s nomination, though she faces competition from MEP Seán Kelly. Former agriculture commissioner Mairead McGuinness has also secured Fine Gael backing.
Fianna Fáil has yet to confirm their candidate, with former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin believed to be a frontrunner alongside MEP Billy Kelleher. Sinn Féin has indicated it will not make a decision until September.
Political Rejection Unanimous
The strength of political opposition to McGregor’s candidacy was evident in councillors’ responses to The Irish Times survey. Many cited the civil rape case verdict, his apparent ignorance of the president’s constitutional role, and his increasingly far-right views.
“I am disgusted even at the thought of it and I think most people are,” said Ellen Troy, an Aontú representative on Fingal County Council.
Another councillor was more direct: “No such pressure would ever influence me to even consider voting for that horrid man.”
Mannix Flynn, an Independent on Dublin City Council, revealed the council’s protocol committee had met to discuss how to respond if McGregor seeks nomination, agreeing that candidates must abide by a “code of conduct.”
UFC Return Plans Continue
Despite his political aspirations, McGregor continues planning a UFC comeback. He posted videos showing himself giving blood and urine samples for anti-doping tests, declaring: “I am ECSTATIC! I’m in SHAPE!”
The fighter is reportedly targeting a return at a proposed White House event in July 2026, tied to America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations.
As the presidential election approaches, McGregor’s claims of secured political support remain unverified. With unanimous rejection from surveyed councillors and no confirmed backing from any major party or political figure, his path to the ballot appears blocked – despite his social media assertions to the contrary.
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