Conor McGregor launches campaign to become Ireland's president and calls on law change to boost his chances… days after losing civil rape case appeal

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Conor McGregor has launched his bid to become the next president of Ireland, just days after losing a high-profile civil rape case appeal.
The former UFC champion, who has hinted at his ambition since March, officially declared in a social media post.
To boost his chances, he said he wants to change Ireland's election laws to 'ensure' he appears on the ballot.
McGregor, 37, said the current rules make it too hard for ordinary people to run and called on his supporters to sign a petition demanding reform.
In a lengthy post accompanied by a picture of his family on Monday evening, he wrote: 'To the esteemed citizens of Ireland and the Irish diaspora, I, Conor McGregor hereby declare my intention to seek the esteemed office of President of Ireland.
'The current constitutional framework however, presents a significant barrier to democratic participation.
'The existing regulations mandate that a candidate must secure nominations from either twenty members of the Oireachtas or four county councils to be eligible for the ballot.
'This system, while intended to ensure a degree of political influence among candidates, inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate.
'In light of this, I propose a petition advocating for a modification of the nomination process to allow my name be included on the ballot.'
He added: 'I contend that the citizens of Ireland, both at home and abroad, should have the unhindered right to determine the candidates who appear on the presidential ballot.'
McGregor then shared a link to his millions of followers across social media to sign a petition in support of his mission.
As of Tuesday morning, the Change.org petition labelled 'Let the People Decide' had garnered over 7,445 verified signatures.
The post came just four days after Ireland's Court of Appeal dismissed McGregor's challenge to a civil ruling that found he sexually assaulted a woman in December 2018.
Three judges ruled on July 31 that his appeal failed on all five grounds and upheld the previous decision ordering McGregor to pay damages to Nikita Hand.
The civil trial concluded in November 2024, when a jury found McGregor liable for assault and awarded Hand €248,000 in compensation. She has since launched further legal action following the failed appeal.
In her latest filing, she is suing him and two other people for damages, claiming they were involved in malicious abuse of court processes.
McGregor speaking at the White House in March. He has said that said the current rules in Ireland make it too hard for ordinary people to run and called on his supporters to sign a petition demanding reform
Currently, McGregor is not affiliated with any political party and has no elected office experience.
Even if he were to become president, the seven-year role in Ireland is mostly ceremonial. The president cannot propose or pass laws. They cannot also hold referenda on their own initiative.
In March, he sparked outrage when he first announced that he was planning to become president. Speaking at the White House, he said 'illegal immigration racket ravaging our country', adding the nation was losing its 'Irishness '.
A poll of 134 politicians found that every respondent rejected his plan. One retorted: 'He's a misogynist and a thug. On behalf of the women of Ireland, he can f*** off.'