Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has said 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 the decision to withdraw had come 'following careful reflection and after consulting with my family'.
Ireland will head to the polls on 24 October, with three candidates thus far securing the necessary backing from Irish lawmakers or local authorities to participate in the race.
Presidential aspirants must be an Irish citizen aged 35 or older, requiring 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, mentioned: 'This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.'
At 37 years of age, he expressed feeling 'truly humbled' by the support and encouragement received throughout his potential run. However, he described the election's eligibility rules as a 'straitjacket' preventing a true democratic process.
For months, McGregor had been actively engaging with his millions of social media followers about his presidential ambitions, even posting a video encouraging supporters to lobby for his nomination. Yet, he did not actively participate in initial council presentations, raising doubts about his commitment to the candidacy.
Although on the list of prospective candidates, McGregor withdrew before addressing the councils, thereby avoiding the scrutiny that would arise during such discussions.
This withdrawal follows an earlier civil jury decision in which McGregor lost an appeal related to a serious assault allegation, further complicating his public image and candidacy.
As of now, the election eligibility deadline is approaching, with candidates needing to secure endorsements by September 24. Three candidates have already met these requirements. Independent Catherine Connolly, Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys represent the main contending candidates, with Sinn Féin announcing its intentions soon.
