Tánaiste Simon Harris didn't mince words as he slammed Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor's White House visit on Monday for St. Patrick's Day.
Speaking to reporters outside the Irish Consulate in New York City, the foreign minister made clear that disgraced McGregor "is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland."
A woman who accused McGregor of raping her won her civil case in November last year and was awarded more than $260,000 in damages.
"He's here in a personal capacity — he doesn't speak for Ireland. He doesn't speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such," Harris told the Irish Star. He added: "My views on him are very clear, well-established, previously articulated, long-standing and on the public record."
The tánaiste, who is visiting NYC for the city's St. Patrick's Day festivities — which are among the oldest and largest in the world — has previously given his opinion on the MMA star.
Nikita Hand, who met McGregor at a party on Dec. 9, 2018, won her civil case against McGregor at the Dublin Civil Court in November 2024.
Hand was awarded €248,603.60 ($271,295) in damages after she told the court the sexual assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
"I don’t want to comment on a matter that may well end up before the courts again other than to say I’ve spoken to Nikita Hand, the tánaiste said. "I admire her bravery, her courage, and I’d much rather be talking about Nikita Hand than Connor McGregor, quite frankly."
At the White House, McGregor and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed immigration policy, with McGregor slamming Ireland's welcoming attitude toward migrants and asylum seekers. He told members of the press who had gathered at the White House for the occasion that he was in Washington "to raise the issues the people of Ireland face."
McGregor accused the Irish government of "abandoning the voices of the people of Ireland as he said it's "high time that America be made aware" of the "travesty" happening with regard to Irish immigration policy.
During his meeting with reporters on Monday, Harris announced that Ireland would be accepting over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees amid the ongoing war in the Eastern European country, stating, "I’m very proud of the actions Ireland has already taken in a whole range of ways, including welcoming well over 100,000 Ukrainians to Ireland."
Taoiseach Michaél Martin slammed McGregor's White House remarks, writing on X, "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."
McGregor's meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday came just days after the taoiseach himself met with the president — a tense meeting during which Trump's announced tariffs against the EU were discussed.
Harris lauded Martin for his performance during that meeting, stating, "I think that the taoiseach did a very good job representing our country in the Oval Office, and I’m very proud of the job he did."
There were also rumors on Monday that McGregor would announce his intent to run for the Irish presidency and that Trump would endorse him for the position.
Harris' response to that possibility was scathing: "In general, I think it’s always better for elections to be decided by those who live in a country and by the people of Ireland, and that’s how our presidential election will be decided." He refused to directly state whether he believed an endorsement from Trump would equate to election interference.
"I don’t wish to provide free air time here to Mr. McGregor — I don’t expect he’s going to be the president of Ireland," Harris concluded. "We have a long and prided tradition of electing excellent people of integrity and decency."
