Conor McGregor Withdraws from Irish Presidential Election

Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter, has pulled out of the Irish presidential election, citing the country's "outdated constitution" as a reason. McGregor, who had been due to address meetings of Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council, announced his decision to withdraw in a post on social media, stating that the election eligibility rules were a "straitjacket" that prevented a "true democratic presidential election being contested." He claimed that the constitution ensured the election was "fixed to ensure only establishment-approved candidates may be selected on the ballot."

Key Takeaways:

Conor McGregor, a 37-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, has withdrawn from the Irish presidential election, citing the country's "outdated constitution" and eligibility rules as a reason.
McGregor had been due to address meetings of Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council to get onto the ballot paper for October's election, but decided to withdraw after consulting with his family.
To be eligible to run, a candidate must be nominated by 20 members of the Irish parliament or by four local authorities and must be an Irish citizen over the age of 35.
McGregor claims that the constitution ensures the election is "fixed to ensure only establishment-approved candidates may be selected on the ballot."
He announced his intention to continue serving his people by using his international platform to promote Irish interests abroad and advocate for transparency and responsibility in public life at home.
McGregor had been facing a civil case related to a rape allegation, which he lost earlier this year and was ordered to pay €1.3m in legal costs.

Statistics:

McGregor was alleged to have "brutally raped and battered" a woman in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018, for which he was ordered to pay almost €250,000 in damages and €1.3m in legal costs.
He had been due to contest the Irish presidential election in October, but withdrew citing the country's "outdated constitution" and eligibility rules.
The election requires a candidate to be nominated by 20 members of the Irish parliament or by four local authorities, and to be an Irish citizen over the age of 35.

Sources:

McGregor's social media post on X announcing his withdrawal from the presidential election
PA article on Conor McGregor's withdrawal from the Irish presidential election
November 2022 article on McGregor losing appeal against a civil jury's finding in favor of Nikita Hand
Ireland's "outdated constitution" and eligibility rules for presidential elections