Varadkar says 'good Irish dads teach their sons to detest men like Conor' after McGregor meets Trump

James Cox

Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar criticised Conor McGregor after the UFC fighter met US president Donald Trump at the White House on St Patrick's Day.

McGregor's meeting with Mr Trump sparked huge controversy online.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris quickly issued statements in which they said McGregor does not represent Irish people, and has no mandate to speak for the Irish public.

In a strongly-worded statement on his Instagram account, Mr Varadkar referred to the case in which a jury found McGregor civilly liable in a case taken by a woman who accused him of rape.

Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ní Laimhín, won her claim against 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 last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault.

A judge at the High Court in Dublin later said the jury had “conclusively determined” that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor is appealing against the outcome.

Conor McGregor and his family pictured with US president Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk in the Oval Office.

Mr Varadkar wrote: "Good Irish dads teach their sons to detest men like Conor and their daughters to avoid men like him. Irish America know this.”

McGregor made a number of unfounded claims about immigration to Ireland in the White House press briefing room before his meeting with Mr Trump.

He also labelled Ireland America's "little bro", adding: "We wish to be taken care of by the big bro."

McGregor praised Mr Trump’s work ethic as “inspiring” as he met him in the Oval Office on Monday, while the president described him as “fantastic”.