McGregor ends his bid to be president of Ireland

The mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has announced his withdrawal from the race for the Irish presidency.

- DAVID YOUNG

McGregor had been due to address meetings of Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council yesterday in an attempt to get onto the ballot paper for October's election. To be eligible to run, a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of the Irish parliament or by four local authorities. They must also be an Irish citizen over the age of 35.

The sportsman announced his decision in a post on social media.

“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” he wrote. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”

McGregor, 37, said he had been “sincere and genuine” about his intention to contest the election and had been “truly humbled” by the “support and encouragement” he had received.

He claimed election eligibility rules in Ireland’s “outdated constitution” were a “straitjacket” that prevented a “true democratic presidential election being contested”. McGregor said the constitution ensured the election was “fixed to ensure only establishment-approved candidates may be selected on the ballot”.

“In a very short period, I have catalysed a mobilisation for positive change in Ireland against a malevolent political witch-hunt working together with the mainstream media supercharged Fake News.