Former mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has withdrawn from Ireland’s presidential election, denouncing the nomination process as a “straitjacket” that stifles genuine democratic competition.
In a statement posted on X on Monday morning, McGregor said: “Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race. This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”
The presidency, a largely ceremonial seven-year role, is currently held by Michael D Higgins. McGregor had pledged to curb immigration to protect what he described as “Irish culture” and to return power “back to the people”.
The 37-year-old had sought to capitalise on his 10.7 million followers on X, as well as public backing from Elon Musk and tacit support from Donald Trump. He also received endorsements from US commentators including Tucker Carlson.
However, McGregor faced significant obstacles in securing a place on the ballot for the 24 October election. Candidates must be nominated by either 20 members of parliament or four local authorities, a process he claimed was “fixed” in favour of establishment figures. Analysts had judged his chances of winning endorsements to be slim.
McGregor said his short-lived campaign had exposed constitutional unfairness in eligibility rules. “This democratic deficit against the will of the Irish people has now been successfully magnified by my expression of interest,” he said.
Last week, deputy prime minister and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris described McGregor as representing “the very worst of us”. Opinion polls have shown limited public backing for the former athlete, with one survey putting his support at just 7%, and negligible endorsement from legislators or councils.
McGregor says campaign catalysed
Despite his withdrawal, McGregor claimed his campaign had “catalysed” a movement against what he called a corrupt establishment and mainstream media. “There is now a very visible and vocal movement of Irish patriots reverting to our cultural and historical origins seeking to maintain and protect our way of life as Irish, to them I salute you. The current has changed and this tide cannot be held back,” he said.
McGregor remains a divisive figure in Ireland. In July, he lost an appeal against a civil court ruling that awarded damages to a woman who accused him of rape.
Other public figures who had expressed interest in running before withdrawing include former dancer Michael Flatley and musician and aid campaigner Bob Geldof.
Three candidates are confirmed: Heather Humphreys, a former government minister standing for Fine Gael; Jim Gavin, former manager of Dublin’s Gaelic football team, representing Fianna Fáil; and Catherine Connolly, an independent MP backed by smaller left-wing parties including the Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit.
Sinn Féin has yet to decide whether to field its own candidate or support Connolly. A weekend opinion poll placed Humphreys in the lead with 22% support, followed by Gavin on 18% and Connolly on 17
