Ireland Turns Away From Conor McGregor After Guilty Verdict
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| Photo: Conor McGregor / Instagram |
Conor McGregor, once celebrated as Ireland’s biggest sports star, now faces a wave of backlash following a jury’s verdict in a civil case that found him guilty of sexual assault. The case was brought by Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her at a Dublin hotel in 2018. She was awarded nearly €250,000 in damages, though McGregor has said he will appeal the decision.
The verdict has led to significant consequences for McGregor’s reputation and brand. Products linked to him have been pulled from shelves in both Ireland and the UK, brands have cut ties, and murals of him have been painted over. His whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, will no longer use his name or image in marketing, and the creators of the Hitman video game announced they have ended their collaboration with him.
Even Ireland’s National Wax Museum has removed his statue. Gym owners, like Gary Scully of Scully Fitness in Galway, have painted over murals of McGregor, stating he’s “no longer a role model.”
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| Photo: Conor McGregor / Instagram |
This is not the first time McGregor has been involved in controversy. In 2018, he was arrested in New York for throwing a dolly at a bus window, and in 2019, he was fined for punching a man in a Dublin pub. These incidents, combined with the recent civil case, have caused many in Ireland to turn against him.
Petesy Carroll, an MMA journalist, noted McGregor’s early contributions to making MMA popular in Ireland. However, he also believes McGregor’s actions have damaged the sport in the country.
McGregor’s rise to fame was a classic rags-to-riches story. Starting as a plumber’s apprentice in Dublin, he pursued a career in MMA, quickly becoming a global superstar. His achievements, like becoming the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously, made him a national hero.
However, McGregor’s brash persona and growing controversies began to overshadow his success. His high-profile boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017 marked a turning point, as his focus seemed to shift away from sport and toward spectacle.
The case has sparked national conversations about how Ireland views sexual assault cases. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reported a 150% increase in calls after the verdict. Many survivors have expressed relief at the ruling and praised Ms. Hand for her courage in speaking out.
In her statement after the trial, Ms. Hand encouraged others to share their stories. “You have a voice,” she said. “Keep on fighting for justice.”
McGregor has not fought since 2021 but recently hinted at a comeback. Whether he can regain public support remains unclear. As Scully Fitness owner Gary Scully put it, “People want nothing to do with him... He feels like he’s above the law, and now it’s proved he isn’t.” Source
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