'It has to be a joke' — the public weighs in on Conor McGregor's presidential ambitions
Conor McGregor: 'I don’t think he has any negative qualities, a big mouth maybe, but we all have a big mouth.'
He has been backed by Elon Musk to be Ireland's next president but if the views on the streets of his home town of Dublin are anything to go by, Conor McGregor could be dealt a knockout blow if he tries to seek office.
Robin Myna, Athlone, Co Westmeath: “I think I’ll be finding the nearest island that doesn’t have internet connection if he gets anywhere near the presidency. I’ll stay there for four to eight years, however long that nightmare would go on for.
"It has to be a joke, a total joke that Conor McGregor would even consider putting himself forward for the role of Irish president. He is absolutely not the right ambassador for this country. I can’t even imagine living in a country where Michael D Higgins isn’t the president.
"He is the most wonderful statesman that we have ever had and then having to plummet to something like Conor McGregor who is just an imbecile, being our president, I can’t imagine anything worse."
'Elon Musk is dead right in supporting him'
Thomas Pender, Dublin: “I think Conor McGregor should be the next Irish president. I’d like to see him go for it and get the backing he deserves. At least he is talking for the people. Elon Musk is dead right in supporting him. You either agree or disagree with him, but at least McGregor is speaking his mind. He is honest, very honest.
"I don’t think he has any negative qualities, a big mouth maybe, but we all have a big mouth. He’s a two- or three-time world champion and he is very good to people around him, his family, his community, his friends, everyone who knows him and is close to him, he looks after them all."
William Byrne, Dublin: “I wouldn’t like to see him as president. He’s full of himself, ‘Look at me I’m Conor McGregor’, like he is above everyone else, and he shouldn’t be like that. He should be grateful for what he has.
"Even in America, attacking a bus that time, like you don’t get away with that. That’s not right. And then there was the man he hit in the pub. He should be a role model to children and he’s not, unfortunately."
Jacinta O’Mara, Dublin: “I would definitely vote for him if he gets the nomination. I think he should get it and go forward; you shouldn’t judge the book by its cover. I think behind it all he’s sound and a good person. I think that’s just all an image. He speaks his mind. He is critical of the Government, but everyone has a right to say how they feel, everyone is entitled to their point of view.
"I think he should be given a chance. He is very good to his family and his parents. He is a good ambassador for Ireland, and we should give him a go”.
James Andrews, Skerries, north Dublin. “He is a top man. He would represent Ireland well and he would give the Government and this country a run for its money. He is a good person. I think he would speak up for us, and I’d say he would do an awful lot for us.
"The Government is doing nothing for us, the ordinary person. Most people have nothing, and the likes of Conor McGregor is using his voice for the Irish people and showing them that he speaks up for them. He’ll help the ones who are down. He doesn’t need the backing of the State. He will do more for this country. He is strong willed and good for the country."
Carl Kofman, US: “I think he might have the right heart, but he needs to learn politics and how it works. If he goes against the grain and goes hardheaded, everybody is going to go against him and shut him down. You’ve got to get people to work with you instead of bossing them around. He’s got to get used to that. If I could vote for him, if he got the nomination, I would have to read up on who is going against him.
"I would take my time and think about it. He has potential. He is so popular in the MMA world he has a lot of popularity and that is how people vote these days. More than their political background. Ronald Reagan was an actor.
We are here on holidays, and we heard about McGregor’s plans, so it is interesting. People are frustrated and angry right now, so don’t be surprised if McGregor succeeds."
Jack Lyons, Co Wicklow: “I have to see what he has to say about himself as president first. He is okay, but he is overrated a bit. I don’t know what his good qualities are. He is famous, but I don’t know if people listen to him for the right reasons.
"I wouldn’t say he’s a good ambassador for Ireland, no. I’m not saying I’m not a fan, but he does bring people together for sport, and to the UFC. But outside of the ring, or the cage, no I don’t see him having much influence."
Nikita O’Byrne, Dublin: “He’s in UFC, and that’s all I’ll ever see him as. I wouldn’t see him in politics or overseeing this country in a role of a president, no way. He is not somebody young people would look up to, I’m 25 and he is not a role model for me. He appeals to my age group, but not to me.
"Outside of the ring he goes on like he’s still in the ring, he’s pretty much the same person. He wouldn’t appeal to me anyway."
Niamh Corbally, Co Louth: “I thought it was a joke when I heard that he was putting himself forward. It is quite ridiculous.
"He is not even a politician and not anything close to even knowing anything about Ireland politically. I think the Brits can take him to be honest. It’s a no from me, for sure."
Chelsea Kenna, Co Wicklow: “He played a big role in the Dublin riots online last week. Do you really want someone running your country after seeing that? Like really?
"He whipped up a frenzy and after seeing that, well even before seeing that, I would have said no, but since then, it’s a big definite no because that is what the country might turn into, or 10 times worse than that.
"The scary part is that he is in the sporting world and that’s a big demographic. He is on a world stage, and he wouldn’t show the beautiful side of this country, but sport is so influential across the world, it just puts a bad taste in my mouth. It is a no from me”.
Ethan Vescli, Cavan: “I probably wouldn’t vote for McGregor, I’d go for Bertie Ahern, I think Bertie would beat Conor in a scrap. I think Bertie would have more to offer the country. I think Conor only has Guinness and whiskey to offer. He has nothing to offer this country. Bertie has a lot of leverage over the country as well.
Conor, I feel, just talks waffle on Twitter and that’s it. He couldn’t be an ambassador for Ireland on a world stage, he can barely do it on a UFC stage. I hope he doesn’t come to Cavan though. It is a big no from me, but Bertie is my number one. Bertie might be controversial, but everybody is in their own way."
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