Public expressed outrage at Conor McGregor's meeting with Donald Trump
James Cox
of the public expressed their anger at Conor McGregor's St Patrick's Day meeting with US president Donald Trump in messages to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The vast majority of messages were critical of McGregor, with many accusing the UFC fighter of "hijacking our identity".
Mr Martin met the US president on March 12th, and the Government was blindsided by McGregor's St Patrick's Day trip to the White House, in which he made a number of unfounded claims about immigration into Ireland.
Claims McGregor made about crime levels in Dublin were also found to be from a discredited 'study' published by an online gambling company.
In messages to the Taoiseach, seen by BreakingNews.ie after a Freedom of Information request, people expressed anger at McGregor's White House appearance.
At 10.15pm on March 17th, one email to Mr Martin read: "You did a great job on your recent visit to the White House, congratulations on your diplomacy, but I’m furious with that clown (and I’m being generous) McGregor hijacking our identity."
The email continued: "He doesn't speak for us, please don't let this go!"
The majority of the emails referred to the legal action in which a jury found McGregor civilly liable in a case taken by a woman who accused him of rape.
Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ní Laimhín (35), was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault.
A judge at the High Court in Dublin later said the jury had “conclusively determined” that McGregor had raped Ms Hand in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford on December 9th, 2018. McGregor is appealing against the outcome.
A lengthy email addressed to Mr Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris read: "First, the invitation extended to Enoch Burke’s family, and now, the carefully orchestrated elevation of Conor McGregor to take centre stage on St Patrick’s Day. It is clear now that your meeting with president Trump was deliberately scheduled for the 12th, ensuring that McGregor would be given the international platform on the 17th in your absence.
"Allowing him to speak as if he represents us, he insulted not just those of us in Ireland, but the 75+ million people worldwide who hold their Irish heritage close to their hearts. This was not a misstep or unfortunate oversight, it was deliberate, calculated, and a disgrace. I urge you both, Taoiseach and Tánaiste, to draw the line now. To stand up, not just as a diplomat, but as an Irish leader with dignity. I fully understand the necessity of diplomacy, but at what cost?"
McGregor does not define Ireland.
The author called on the Government to address McGregor's appearance directly with Mr Trump.
"McGregor does not define Ireland. Musk does not define Ireland. Trump does not define Ireland. But if we allow these insults to go unchecked, we risk losing control over who gets to represent us. I sincerely hope that you will not let this moment without a clear, public statement condemning what has happened. We may be a small country, but we are a proud and dignified one, and that should count for something."
Another email criticised Mr Martin for not stepping in when Mr Trump praised McGregor during their White House meeting on March 12th.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said: “I do happen to like your fighter.”
“He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen,” he said, referring to Mr McGregor.
“Conor’s great, right. But you have a lot of great Irish fighters actually, great fighters," Mr Trump continued, before moving on to ask the Taoiseach about his father's boxing career.
Two messages expressed for McGregor's views on immigration.
"Regarding the recent coverage of Conor McGregor’s visit to the White House, the three of you have been quick to criticise him, insisting that he does not speak for Ireland. You are wrong. While his visit and remarks were self-initiated, a significant portion of the Irish public agrees with his message far more than agree with any of you, even combined."
One person wrote: "Before you dismiss me as just another critic, understand this: I have financially contributed to each of your parties multiple times, up to the maximum €600 per donation, and considerably more to Leo Varadkar before I saw through him. I have stood in social settings with each of you, exchanged words, and am someone you are all comfortable speaking to in your own circles.
"The fact that the President of the United States chose to engage with McGregor rather than with career politicians like yourselves should be a wake-up call. Instead of sounding weak, jealous, and desperate in your attempts to discredit him, perhaps you should reflect on why he commands the of both the Irish people and the US President, while your own standing continues to erode."
One person praised Mr Martin and Mr Harris for their response to McGregor's meeting with Mr Trump.
"I am particularly proud of the way both you and Simon Harris have responded to what happened yesterday with Conor McGregor- you are right, he does not speak for me. Thank you for being so clear and unequivocal about it."
Another person wrote: "I firmly believe that by inviting McGregor to the White House for St Patrick's Day, Donald Trump and his team have deliberately undermined you, the Irish government and more so the Irish public.
"While I understand the importance of 'playing politics' there has to come a point where we stop kowtowing to our supposed friends in America especially if they're welcoming our convicted criminals into the White House."
