'On St Patrick's Day, two rapists met each other in the White House', Dáil told
US president Donald Trump with UFC fighter Conor McGregor in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Picture: X/@Potus
Two rapists met in the White House on St Patrick's Day, the Dáil has been told.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger made the claim during Wednesday's session of questions on promised legislation, telling Micheál Martin Conor McGregor's reception at the White House earlier this week had overshadowed the Taoiseach's own St Patrick's Day diplomatic trip.
The MMA fighter, who last year was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape, met with US president Donald Trump in Washington DC on Monday and told reporters Ireland was being "failed" by the Government.
Speaking in the Dáil, Ms Coppinger said the Taoiseach had "stayed silent" when Mr Donald Trump had picked Mr McGregor as his favourite Irish person during a meeting with Mr Martin. She criticised the US president for his country's support of Israel, after a wave of Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
"On St Patrick's Day, two rapists met each other in the White House, two men found guilty by juries to be rapists. So we have this sight on St Patrick's Day of Conor McGregor representing this country's views.
"An insult to the country, an insult to your Government, because [he] slated you. So much for your diplomatic mission with Trump. But an insult to women and when you normalise genocide, when you normalise misogyny, this is what happens.
In response, Mr Martin said he had "no truck" with Mr McGregor. He said his engagement and the visit to the United States "honours a long tradition of celebrating Irish America and the role that Irish America played in the building of America and the historic ties which existed there".
He said there were "very significant economic links with the United States" and thousands of Irish jobs depend on US investment.
"I publicly stated my position on Conor McGregor.
"And I have no truck with the masculine toxicity of Mr McGregor, but he's not a member of this house."
