McGregor's White House remarks draw criticism from Irish leaders

Irish political leaders have said Conor McGregor does not speak for Ireland after he visited the White House for a St Patrick's Day meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Earlier, McGregor told reporters that he was going to voice concerns about immigration issues in Ireland when he spoke to the president.

Accompanied by his partner and four children, the controversial MMA fighter praised the president's work ethic as "inspiring" as he met him in the Oval Office.

Trump hailed McGregor's own work rate, and described him as "fantastic".

Last week, during a meeting at the White House with Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin, the US president praised McGregor's tattoos.

The fighter also attended President Trump's inauguration in January.

In 2024, a woman who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel won a claim against him for damages in a civil case.

A jury found that he had assaulted her and ordered him to pay more than €248,000 (£206,000).

Earlier on Monday, McGregor appeared at the White House press briefing room lectern with press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed the meeting was scheduled for later in the day.

Ms Leavitt said she "couldn't think of a better guest to have with us on St Patrick's Day".

The fighter said he planned to "raise the issues the people of Ireland face".

He accused the Irish government of "abandoning" the voices of the people of Ireland as he criticised immigration policies.

"What is going on in Ireland is a travesty," he said.

"Our money is being spent on overseas issues that is nothing to do with the Irish people," he added.

McGregor has previously spoken out against Ireland's policies on immigration and asylum seekers.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin was critical of McGregor's comments, posting on social media: "St Patrick's Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship.

"Conor McGregor's remarks are wrong and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland," Martin added.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris said the MMA fighter has visited Washington DC in a "personal capacity" and that he is not representing the country.

"He doesn't speak for Ireland. He doesn't speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such," Harris said to reporters in New York.

He said the president is "perfectly entitled" to invite whoever he wishes to the White House.

"But let me be very clear, Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland."

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) assembly member Matthew O'Toole described McGregor's White House appearance as an "insult to the island of Ireland" and "deeply depressing".

"That Trump and his administration thought on Ireland's national day to invite and clearly make a huge effort to platform and amplify McGregor, who is an appalling individual, is frankly beyond the pale," he told BBC News NI.

On Monday, McGregor was also pictured alongside Elon Musk in the Oval Office.

Mr Musk is a close ally of the US president and is leading efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.