So heart to take seeing McGregor in Oval Office

Donohoe tells of utter dismay at chat | Surprise Oval visit was 'a slap in the face'

- LOUISE BURNE

FINANCE Minister Paschal Donohoe said his “heart fell” when he saw Conor McGregor in the White House meeting US President Donald Trump.

McGregor met Trump in the Oval Office on St Patrick's Day, just days after Taoiseach Micheal Martin's own visit.

Last November, McGregor was found liable in a civil case for sexual assault against Nikita Hand and ordered to pay €248,603 in damages.

The Government condemned Mr McGregor's visit to the White House, dismissing his suggestion that he was there representing the people of Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the meeting on Monday, McGregor said: “I am here to raise the issues that the people of Ireland face. It will be music to the people of Ireland’s ears because never on the main stage has the issues the people of Ireland face been spoken.”

At an event in Dublin yesterday, Minister Donohoe condemned McGregor and his comments.

He said: “My heart fell when I saw Conor McGregor in the Oval Office.

“It fell as somebody who's been very proud to represent Ireland in America and elsewhere.

“It also fell as a man because Conor McGregor does not represent this country.

“He doesn’t represent the men of this country.