Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has said he is no longer seeking to run in next month's Irish presidential election.
His announcement on Monday came hours before he was due to address meetings of Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council, where he was seeking to secure the nominations needed for his name to be on the ballot.
In a post on social media, McGregor stated that the decision to withdraw had come following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family.
Ireland will head to the polls on 24 October, with three candidates so far having secured the backing needed from Irish lawmakers or local authorities to stand in the race.
Presidential hopefuls must be an Irish citizen aged 35 or older, and require the endorsement of at least 20 members of the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, or four out of Ireland's 31 local authorities.
McGregor, a former champion fighter who has not competed professionally since July 2021, mentioned: This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.
The 37-year-old, who first vowed to run for the presidency last year, expressed that he was truly humbled by the support and encouragement he received.
He criticized the election's eligibility rules as a straitjacket that prevents a true democratic presidential election.
For months, McGregor had been actively promoting his ambition to run on social media.
Despite being included in the list of prospective runners before Dublin and Kildare County Councils, McGregor chose to withdraw just before his chance to present himself for questioning.
McGregor's legal troubles and public controversies had skewed public perception against him, with most Irish politicians voicing their view that he was unfit for office.
Prospective candidates have until 24 September to secure backing for the ballot, with McGregor's withdrawal likely shifting more focus to other candidates already in the mix.
