“The guy isn’t capable of writing an email and thinks he’s fit to be the president.”
Those were the words of one local councillor this week after floods of emails begun to appear from across the county, calling for Limerick’s elected representatives to show their support for MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
This comes as the prize fighter appealed to his supporters to write to local authorities on his behalf as the vote for the next President of Ireland approaches on Friday October 24.
Despite the floods of emails to local councillors, it is understood that McGregor – who in July lost in his appeal over a jury’s findings in a civil case in which it was alleged that he raped Dublin woman Nikita Hand – has yet to make any personal contact for support on Shannonside for his presidential bid.
McGregor needs the backing of at least 20 members of the Oireachtas – TDs or senators – or four local authorities. Having so far failed to get the support at Leinster House, the UFC fighter has turned his attention, albeit passively, to local councils.
Limerick Council members this week started received emails from McGregor’s supporters seeking nomination for ‘The Notorious’, and some are none too happy about it.
Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan, in particular, was far from impressed.
“The fact that McGregor didn’t send an email himself shows he’s still at an early teen development stage where he’s getting his buddy to do his bidding for him. It’s like a ‘will you shift my friend?’ request at a teenage disco,” the Green party councillor hit out.
“The guy isn’t capable of writing an email and thinks he’s fit to be the president. I actually feel a nanoscopic level of sympathy for him.”
Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Catherine Slattery (FF), suggested that to be nominated for the presidential, she would expect any man or woman to have a “clean record”.
“A president is the head of the Irish State and the Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence Forces. I certainly would not want McGregor in these positions. You have to have respect and empathy for others, which McGregor does not seem to have, and I for one would not vote for him if he was the only candidate,” Cllr Slattery insisted.
Among the incomings of support for McGregor, one supporter told Limerick’s 40 elected representatives: “While Mr McGregor is not perfect, as none of us are, he is not guilty of the allegations made against him. As the saying goes, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’. I urge you to support Mr McGregor’s nomination to the presidential ballot, allowing voters to choose a candidate who speaks boldly for Ireland.”
Aontú councillor Sarah Beasley said her party will not nominate Conor McGregor on any Council across the country for the presidential election, citing recent rulings of his liability in the civil rape case.
Independent councillor Ursula Gavan wasn’t losing any sleep either over McGregor’s presidential bid, saying that “personally, I am not giving him oxygen considering the nature of the office which he has demonstrated he is not fit to run for if he cannot personally convince councillors is he a truly credible candidate?”
Cllr Maria Donoghue confirmed to the Limerick Post that she has not been approached by Conor McGregor for her nomination either.
“But even if I were, I would not support his nomination as a presidential candidate. I fundamentally disagree with his worldview and do not believe he is fit to represent the Irish people. In my view, he does not reflect the values held by the majority in this
country,” Cllr Donoghue said.
