Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has announced that he is no longer seeking to run in next month's Irish presidential election.
His announcement on Monday came hours before he was due to address meetings of Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council, where he was seeking to secure the nominations needed for his name to be on the ballot.
In a post on social media, McGregor stated that the decision to withdraw his name had come following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family.
Ireland will head to the polls on 24 October, with only three candidates so far having secured the backing needed from Irish lawmakers or local authorities to stand in the race.
Presidential hopefuls must be an Irish citizen aged 35 or older and require the endorsement of at least 20 members of the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, or four out of Ireland's 31 local authorities.
McGregor, a former champion fighter who has not competed professionally since July 2021, stated: This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time. He expressed gratitude for the support he received during his campaign efforts.
McGregor also conveyed concerns regarding the election's eligibility rules, referring to them as a straitjacket that hindered a true democratic presidential election.
This year, he lost a civil jury appeal related to a sexual assault case, a ruling he denies, which added to the complexities of his public persona as he contemplated running for office.
Prospective presidential candidates must secure their nominations by 24 September, with three candidates confirmed, including Catherine Connolly, an independent supported by left-wing parties; Jim Gavin, representing Fianna Fáil, the largest parliamentary party; and Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, the current coalition party.
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