Conor McGregor Saying Ireland ‘at War’ Sparks Outrage

Conor McGregor has been accused of stoking anti-immigrant sentiment and inciting riots in Dublin after sharing anti-immigrant remarks on social media.

“Ireland, we are at war” the UFC fighter said on X—the social network formerly known as Twitter—on Wednesday. The declaration followed a series of posts about Taioseach Leo Varadkar urging migrants to register to vote, a decision that was enacted in 2008.

“Imagine a mega power nation allowing this absolute foolishness!!” McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) wrote. “A real showing of the lack of care they have for the common Irish citizen.”

On Thursday, riots broke out across Dublin after three children and a teacher were injured in a stabbing outside a school. Social media posts have linked the attack to an “Algerian immigrant,” but this has not been confirmed by the Gardai (Irish National Police) or Irish officials.

Conor McGregor is seen at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 9, 2021. The UFC fighter has been accused of stoking anti-immigrant sentiment. Stacy Revere/Getty Images Sport

There have been 34 arrests following a night of looting, arson and clashes with police. In a statement, Gardai commissioner Drew Harris blamed the unrest on a “lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology.”

The school attack follows the conviction of Jozef Puska, a Slovak national who was sentenced to life in prison on November 17 for murdering Ashling Murphy. The teacher was stabbed five times while jogging along a canal near her home in Tullamore, Ireland, in January 2022.

Commenting on the school stabbings, McGregor told his 10.2 million X followers that action is needed to stamp out these “more frequent events.”

“Innocent children ruthlessly stabbed by a mentally deranged non-national,” he said. “There is grave danger among us in Ireland that should never be here in the first place.”

Telling followers, “You reap what you sow,” the 35-year-old demanded Irish officials announce a “plan of action” to “fix this situation immediately.”

Alongside a photograph of a riot-hit Dublin, McGregor wrote: “What would our Irish leaders past say on the situation we face today? God bless Ireland.”

Newsweek has reached out to Conor McGregor for comment via Instagram.

The mixed martial artist’s remarks have divided opinion online, with some users slamming McGregor for fanning “the flames.”

“Interesting how #DublinRiots somewhat started after @TheNotoriousMMA said ‘Ireland is at war,'” said Faheem.

“Conor McGregor saying Ireland is “at war” and saying it as if he’s there with the rioting morons,” wrote Craig Saphier. “All the while just sat on his a*** doing f*** all about it and they’re all just lapping it up.”

“Tomorrow the city and hard working men and women will clean it up,” agreed zedmonopoly. “While conor mcgregor is in his mansion. I bet he’s even tweeting from Dubai.”

“Incitement?” wondered Jamas. “No idea of the legal test for causation. But enough people seem to be mad nowadays.”

Others praised McGregor, with Chris Hansen writing: “I stand with@TheNotoriousMMA.”

“Ireland is at war and under attack,” said Earl Joseph. “Mass deportations are needed stat.”

“Dublin City is retribution,” commented Audrey Roberts.

“The Irish government waged war on its indigenous people and culture,” said Tim Beals. “It has brought in an army of thugs rapists murderers and terrorists. The Irish people will never comply nor will we be defeated.”

This isn’t the first time McGregor has criticized the Irish government’s immigration policy. After the news of Puska’s conviction broke, he blasted politicians for “harboring” foreign nationals.

“THIS IS YOUR FAULT AND WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!” he posted to X. “Despicable system! The Irish government makes me ashamed to be Irish.”

In 2017, McGregor was accused of racism, after taunting boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. ahead of their August 26 boxing match. McGregor told the 46-year-old to “Dance for me, boy,” at a promotional event in Los Angeles, before urging the crowd to yell obscenities at Mayweather, his wife and children.

McGregor called the racism allegations “F****** ridiculous,” claiming that his comments “didn’t hit right.”

However, Mayweather disagreed, telling reporters at a fan meet in London: “He totally disrespected Black women, he called Black people monkeys, and he was disrespectful to my [13-year-old] daughter.

“There’s certain levels you don’t stoop to or cross.”

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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