Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien has declared that Conor McGregor would not be fit to serve as president of Ireland. The Fianna Fáil TD made the stark assessment when asked about the MMA fighter's potential presidential ambitions.
O'Brien compared the 37-year-old McGregor to Ireland's outgoing president Michael D Higgins, who is a former arts minister and sociology lecturer. The minister highlighted Higgins' distinguished 14-year tenure representing Ireland abroad.
Constitutional challenge considered
McGregor told The Sunday Times he is considering a legal challenge to the eligibility rules for the presidential elections. The fighter believes the current nomination process may be unfair or restrictive.
O'Brien acknowledged that McGregor was free to challenge the process but insisted the Irish constitution was "clear" on the requirements. He said any citizen was entitled to take a legal case if they wished.
Nomination requirements explained
To become a presidential candidate, a person must secure nomination from either 20 members of the Irish parliament or four local authorities. Candidates must also be Irish citizens aged 35 or older.
An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October. The vote must take place within 60 days before President Higgins' term ends on 11 November.
Current candidates emerge
Two candidates have already secured sufficient nominations to get on the ballot paper. Former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness is the Fine Gael nominee.
Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent and former Galway mayor, has received backing from opposition parties and independents. Several other figures have expressed interest in seeking nominations.
High-profile contenders
Riverdance star Michael Flatley, millionaire entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan and previous presidential candidate Peter Casey have all indicated they intend to seek nominations. McGregor joins this list of potential candidates.
O'Brien emphasised the importance of the presidential office, describing it as "the highest office in the land". He urged people to compare Higgins' distinguished service with what McGregor might offer.
Legal troubles continue
Last month, McGregor lost his appeal against a civil jury's finding in favour of Dublin woman Nikita Hand, who accused him of rape. Hand, 35, successfully sued McGregor in a civil court over an incident at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
She was awarded almost 250,000 euro in damages and McGregor was ordered to pay about 1.3 million euro in legal costs following the November trial. The case involved allegations that he "brutally raped and battered" her in a penthouse.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
