Conor McGregor given 11 weeks to decide plea on dangerous driving raps

The mixed martial artist (MMA) came to garda attention while driving a high-performance Bentley Continental GT on March 22 in west Dublin

Conor McGregor arrives at Blanchardstown Court, Dublin, where he is charged with dangerous driving in relation to an incident in west Dublin in March. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A JUDGE has given UFC star Conor McGregor 11 weeks to decide how to plead to motoring offences and dangerous driving in a top-of-the-range sports car in Dublin.

The mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete came to garda attention while driving a high-performance Bentley Continental GT on March 22 in west Dublin. McGregor, 33, was pulled over and arrested.

The fighter, the world's highest-paid athlete last year, was granted station bail after gardaí charged him with two counts of dangerous driving in the 2019-reg car at the N4/M50 interchange in Palmerstown and the Lucan Road.

The former lightweight and featherweight champ, currently training for his UFC comeback, arrived in a Rolls Royce at Blanchardstown District Court on Thursday.

Garda Denis Lordon, Lucan station, further charged him at the courthouse with being uninsured and having no licence and failing to produce his documents within 10 days of the incident. McGregor then appeared before Judge David McHugh.

On conviction, dangerous driving carries a maximum fine of up to €5,000 and six months imprisonment.

Court sergeant Maria Cahill provided the court with a certificate outlining the arrest and charging procedure for the alleged dangerous driving offences. Garda Lordon told the court that McGregor "made no reply" to the additional charges.

Judge McHugh extended bail to the new charges and granted a "general disclosure order" of evidence to be complied with ahead of the next hearing. He remanded McGregor to appear again on June 23, when he will have to enter a plea or set a later hearing date if he contests the charges.

Dubliner McGregor, who now lives at Ladycastle, Straffan, Co. Kildare, did not address the court. Dressed in a grey blazer, white shirt, striped tie, and black trousers, he sat in the dock at the side of the court.

After the judge made his order, defence solicitor Michael Staines consulted with him and then said, "that is fine".  The solicitor also added: "I can confirm I have shown the garda a copy of his insurance and driving licence."