Conor McGregor declares intention to enter Irish presidential race
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor is proposing a petition urging a change to the nomination process for Irish presidential elections. File picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has announced that he intends to seek to become the next president of Ireland — but wants to change how the nomination process works to enable him to do so.
McGregor, who last week lost his appeal against a High Court jury's finding that he raped Nikita Hand, made the announcement on social media on Monday evening.
Anyone who wishes to become president must secure nominations from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities.
McGregor is alleging that this "presents a significant barrier to democratic participation".
He claimed: "This system, while intended to ensure a degree of political influence among candidates, inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate.
In his post, McGregor said that citizens of Ireland should have the "unhindered right to determine the candidates who appear on the presidential ballot."
He said he is therefore asking people to sign a petition to change the constitutional law.
The current President, Michael D Higgins, was inaugurated for his second term on November 11, 2018.
Therefore, the next presidential election is scheduled to take place on or up to 60 days before November 11, 2025.
There are just two confirmed candidates in this year’s presidential race so far: Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness — a former European Commissioner and MEP — and left-wing Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly.
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is also said to be interested in running and will seek a nomination, a court has heard. The choreographer's barrister made the announcement last month during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde.
Meanwhile, Nikita Hand has lodged a new civil action against McGregor as well as a couple he intended to call to give evidence in his appeal, before he withdrew the application in what were described as "mysterious circumstances".
Ms Hand is suing McGregor as well as Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins for damages in an action filed last week.
It is understood that she alleges they engaged in malicious abuse of the process of the court.
