In an extraordinary day that shocked the Government, McGregor – who was found liable for rape in a civil case in the High Court taken by Nikita Hand – was given a tour of America’s highest offices.
"Uninformed, third party remarks"
In response to questions about his comments, a spokeswoman for An Garda Síochana [Irish police] said they did not comment on "uninformed, third party remarks", but pointed to factual international evidence."
It is, however, a statement of fact that according to the Global Peace Index, Ireland is ranked "second only to Iceland," the spokeswoman said.
Conor McGregor with Elon Musk and Donald J. Trump at the White House.
"Societal safety and security"
"Furthermore, Ireland ranks as the thirteenth most safe country in the world under the specific category of 'Societal Safety and Security.'"
Speaking in the West Wing on Monday, McGregor said he was going to voice concerns about immigration issues in Ireland when he spoke to Mr Trump. McGregor, who has previously stated an intent to run for the presidency here, claimed the Government was one of "zero action with zero accountability".
He also met with US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy and separately traveled to the Pentagon to meet with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
A statement from Mr. Hegseth’s department said he and McGregor discussed "how the US and Ireland are both struggling with the effects of illegal immigration".
"Keep fighting the good fight"
McGregor recorded a message for US military personnel, telling them to "keep fighting the good fight. Fight, fight, fight, as the big man says. Let’s go, troops of America. God bless."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have described his comments as wrong and not representative of Ireland. And Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said yesterday his "heart fell" when he saw him at the White House.
Mr Donohoe said McGregor "does not represent the men" of Ireland as he continued the Government’s criticism of him.
Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michéal Martin.
"Could throw many jabs"
Asked about Mr Martin’s criticism, McGregor told Sky News: "I am an employer of over 200 people, almost 300 people in the country of Ireland.
"He’s an employer of none… shame on him for saying that, speaking down on an Irishman. I won’t speak about him personally, throw a jab – I could, I could throw many jabs at him, I could throw jabs handily at them."
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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