Blended martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has mentioned he’s now not in search of to run in subsequent month’s Irish presidential election.
His announcement on Monday got here hours earlier than he was because of handle conferences of Dublin Metropolis Council and Kildare County Council, the place he was in search of 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 should be an Irish citizen aged 35 or older, and require the endorsement of no less than 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 determination, however it’s the proper one at this second in time.”
The 37-year-old, who first vowed to run for the presidency final 12 months, mentioned he was “actually humbled” by the “assist and encouragement” he obtained.
He mentioned the election’s eligibility guidelines have been a “straitjacket” that prevented “a real democratic presidential election being contested”.
Earlier this 12 months, McGregor lost a civil jury appeal in opposition to a discovering that he had sexually assaulted a lady, which he denied.
Nikita Hand accused McGregor of raping her in a resort in Dublin in 2018. In November 2024, she won her claim against 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 executed 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 get together within the Irish parliament and led by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Heather Humphreys is the candidate for Fantastic Gael, a centre-right get together which is presently in coalition authorities with Fianna Fáil.
