Conor McGregor, the 36-year-old Irish MMA fighter, has been disqualified from driving for two years following his arrest in the Palmerstown area of Dublin on March 22, 2022.
Dublin native McGregor, who now has an address in Straffan, Co Kildare, appeared at Blanchardstown District Court today, July 31, after his original court date had been postponed.
Garda Dennis Lorden recounted in court on Wednesday that he "was travelling at excess of 160 km/h trying to catch" McGregor, who was driving his Bentley Continental GT convertible, on March 22, 2022.
US-based entertainment site TMZ shared a clip of McGregor driving just as Gardaí began their pursuit:
Lorden said in court on Wednesday: "I informed the accused to step out of the vehicle, and the driver replied: 'Are you taking the piss? You want me to get out the vehicle, out of the car on the M50?'"
McGregor had to be told six or seven times to get out of his car. He told the garda: "Wait, I need my security to catch up."
McGregor eventually exited his vehicle and was arrested and brought to Lucan Garda Station. There, he was charged and was later released, pending a court appearance at Blanchardstown District Court.
McGregor was cooperative at the garda station, according to Garda Lorden in court on Wednesday.
The Irish MMA star also tested negative for intoxicants.
McGregor was initially charged with two counts of dangerous driving, being uninsured, having no license, and failing to produce his documents within 10 days.
Gardaí further charged McGregor with careless driving, a lesser offense, in connection with the incident.
However, in court on Wednesday, State solicitor Ruth Walsh told Judge McHugh that the insurance and license charges, and one count of dangerous driving at Lucan Road, would now be withdrawn, the Irish Examiner reports.
The court heard that McGregor's documents had been produced and were in order.
McGregor pleaded guilty to the two remaining offenses.
The Irish Examiner notes that McGregor had 20 previous convictions, 17 traffic offenses, including three speeding offenses, two public order charges, and one for assault causing harm between 2011 and 2019. These convictions resulted in fines and a six-month road ban.
Regarding the March 2022 incident, Judge David McHugh said in court on Wednesday: "This is an appalling series of breaches of the road traffic rules and an appalling episode of dangerous driving."
Judge McHugh added that McGregor's previous convictions were "noteworthy, to say the least."
Judge McHugh said he was considering "an outright prison sentence" for McGregor, but the defense pleaded that jailing was a measure of last resort and that the court had other options.
Counsel also submitted that McGregor was apologetic and had businesses, created employment, and assisted his ill father, who was present for the hearing on Wednesday.
Ultimately, Judge McHugh disqualified McGregor from driving for two years, handed him a five-month suspended sentence, and fined him €5,000 for dangerous driving.
He also fined him a further €1,000 for one count of careless driving on the M50 on the same day.
Irish publication The Journal shared this clip of McGregor exiting the court on Wednesday:
Conor McGregor leaves Blanchardstown District Court after narrowly avoiding jail for an “appalling” series of dangerous driving incidents.
McGregor received a five-month suspended sentence, fines totalling €5,000 and a two-year road ban.
Read more: https://t.co/kleHC3OAyI pic.twitter.com/OrgkGbUPBK
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) July 31, 2024
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