Conor McGregor will not face charges for comments relating to Dublin riots
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor will not face charges over an alleged incitement of hatred at the time of the Dublin riots in late 2023. File Picture: PA
No charges will be brought against Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor over alleged incitement of hatred at the time of the Dublin riots in late 2023.
Gardaí said on Thursday evening that a file had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the case.
“The DPP has directed no prosecution in this case,” a spokesperson said. “An Garda Síochána does not comment on decisions of the DPP.”
In November 2023, Dublin erupted as rioters took to the streets following the stabbing of young school children and their care assistant in the city that afternoon.
On the night before the riots, Mr McGregor had tweeted “Ireland, we are at war”, and a separate post later said: “You reap what you sow."
It is understood gardaí had investigated Mr McGregor’s comments and forwarded a file to the DPP to consider whether charges should be brought. It has now emerged that no charges will be brought.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr McGregor shared a screenshot on social media purporting to tell him it had been directed that no prosecution in this case.
He went on to say that “Ireland will be free” and that “they will have to kill me to stop me”.
Reference was also made to the “foundation of Bunreacht na hÉireann” being “done on the blood of Harry Boland, Arthur Griffith, and Michael Collins”.
It comes after the fighter was invited to the White House in Washington DC on St Patrick’s Day. Addressing the media, he took aim at the Irish Government over a range of issues — including immigration.
Mr McGregor, who has previously stated an intent to run for the Irish presidency, claimed the Irish Government was one of "zero action with zero accountability".
Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste hit back against his remarks.
Meanwhile, last week the High Court heard that Mr McGregor is to seek to introduce fresh evidence in support of his appeal to overturn a civil jury’s verdict in 2018.
Last November, Nikita Hand — also known as Nikita Ní Laimhin — won her claim against Mr McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
Ms Hand, 35, was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault.
Earlier this year, a judge ordered McGregor to pay Ms Hand €100,000 of her €250,000 damages and €200,000 of her expected €1.3m legal costs before an appeal.
