Simon Harris calls Jessie Buckley ‘best of Ireland’ and Conor McGregor ‘worst’
Irish deputy prime minister Simon Harris declared that actress Jessie Buckley represents “the best of Ireland” and Conor McGregor “represents the worst of Irish society”.
Mr Harris made the comments to reporters in London after a meeting with British Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Monday.
Asked about reports that Mr McGregor was in Washington DC for St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Mr Harris said: “It is a matter for the United States of America who they allow into their country.
“But my opinion of Conor McGregor is well known; he represents the worst among us.”
In November 2024, the mixed martial arts fighter was found civilly liable in a damages case brought in the High Court in Dublin by a woman who accused him of rape.
Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her case against Mr McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
A few months later, he met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day and criticized the Irish Government on several issues during the meeting.
Mr. Harris insisted that the focus of the day be on Jessie Buckley, who won the Academy Award for best actress for her role in the film. hamnet during the Sunday night ceremony.
She said: “Today we celebrate Jessie Buckley, an incredible person who represents Ireland at her best, shattering the glass ceiling, the first Irish woman to win best actress at the Oscars, and an incredible ambassador for our country.
“Conor McGregor represents the worst of Irish society.
“No one needs advice from me but you know, tomorrow is a celebration of Irishness, our values, inclusion, the best of us and when I think of the best of us I don’t think Conor McGregor.”
The Tanaiste praised Buckley’s “incredible humanity and compassion” and said her achievement was “a moment of great joy and great happiness at a very difficult and uncertain time in the world”.
He also congratulated Richard Baneham, who won his third visual effects Oscar for his work on Avatar: Fire And Ash.
