Major update on suspected Jihadi arrested over fire attack on Conor McGregor pub
The Mirror has confirmed that the suspected Jihadi was returned to prison on Saturday evening – 24 hours after his arrest.
The man was arrested on Friday by detectives from the Garda's main anti-terror outfit the Special Detective Unit, or SDU, as part of the investigation into the July 25 arson attack on Mr McGregor's Black Forge Inn in south Dublin.
Flammable liquid was poured at the entrance of the €2million pub before being set on fire. Emergency services quickly extinguished the blaze and nobody was hurt. Gardai have been investigating the incident ever since and made their move against the suspect on Friday
He was taken out of a prison in Leinster that afternoon on a so-called section 42 warrant – a required judicial approval to take an inmate out of jail. Conor McGregor in the Black Forge Inn (Image: Instagram/ Conor McGregor)
Officers had the power to hold the suspect for 24 hours and he was released without charge on Saturday evening - and was promptly returned to the custody of the Irish Prison Service.
Gardai have confirmed to The Mirror that the suspect was released without charge on Saturday evening – but the force added that investigations were continuing.
A spokesman told us: 'The individual was released without charge on Saturday evening. Investigations are ongoing.'
The investigation into the July 25 attack in Walkinstown, south Dublin was being led by gardai from Crumlin station – but the Mirror revealed on Saturday that the SDU was now leading the probe.
The man is currently before the courts over an alleged serious assault – but we cannot identify that incident for legal reasons. But we can reveal that SDU are now involved in both investigations and are examining the theory that both were linked to Islamic extremism. The Black Forge Inn, Walkinstown. (Image: IDSLegacyArchive)
The SDU is the Garda's main anti-terror squad – and is tasked with facing down Islamic extremist suspects here, as well as the more traditional role of tackling dissident republicans.
Gardai confirmed the SDU arrested a man over the arson attack in a statement to the Mirror on Saturday morning.
The statement said: 'Gardaí attached to An Garda Síochána's Special Detective Unit have arrested a male in connection with the investigation into Criminal Damage at a licensed premises in the South Dublin area on Friday, 25th of July 2025.
'The male, aged in his 20s, was arrested yesterday, 8th of August 2025 and remains detained at a Garda station in the Dublin region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
'An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time.'
On Sunday, Mr McGregor, who says he is planning to run for president in the elections later this year, posted an image on X of the Mirror's Saturday story that broke news of the suspected extremist's arrest - and said he had helped gardai identify the man within hours of the attack. Mr McGregor's post on X/Twitter on Sunday about the arrest (Image: X/Twitter)
He added: 'Know a man by his enemies.
'Ireland, as your President, all radical, extremist ideologies will be swiftly dealt with. I will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the peace, safety, and prosperity of our citizens!
'Your land secured. Your wealth secured. Your future secured.
'We located this violent perpetrator within hours alongside An Garda Síochana who have now sent their file to the DPP!
'Maith thú gach duine le chéile! Go hÉire! '
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