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Conor McGregor calls for new airport task force to be set up stop ‘bad’ immigrants

McGregor backed calls for increased checks on the backgrounds of immigrants entering the country.

Today at 09:26

UFC star Conor McGregor has called for a task force to be established to stop ‘bad’ immigrants entering Ireland.

The Crumlin native made the comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to a speech by Independent Senator Sharon Keogan in the Dáil.

She claimed that “not all immigrants are created created equal and an immigration policy that does not recognise this will end in disaster.”

Writing on Twitter, McGregor backed the senator’s calls for increased checks on the backgrounds of immigrants entering the country.

He wrote: “I love the idea of a new taskforce founded and stationed at our airports. Good in. Bad out. Color (sic) or creed does not factor. Good may enter. Bad must leave. For the benefit of all.

“I also love the call for current entrants here to present documents for clearance also. Clearance or deportation.”

The MMA fighter has come under fire for his comments on social media surrounding the riots in Dublin last week.

It has been widely reported that he is one of a large number of people who are being investigated by gardaí for alleged incitement to hatred.

McGregor’s latest statement come after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar asked people to avoid linked crime to immigration saying it was “not right”.

But in his comments, the ex-UFC champion rejected the Taoiseach’s plea and said his concern was for “national security”.

“Although I do not connect crime with migration entirely, I think unfair to do so overall, I do think national security is above all.

“I myself know and engage and train with so many immigrants on a personal and professional level who are decent, hard working, salt of the earth people, that now call Ireland home, who are truly affected by the recent events and all wish for the same thing.

“Peace of mind! We need change for all the good inhabitants of Ireland.

“I feel the protocols suggested here can do just that! The nation will return to peace so fast! I also love the call for support to small businesses and our frontline who have been affected by the riots.

” Bravo! This for me is tremendous!

“I am confident we will get to where we need. The safety of our inhabitants and our visitors the most important thing right now!”

McGregor’s comments last night are just the latest time he has waded into the immigration debate.

In the aftermath of the riots, Tánaiste Micheál Martin criticised comments from Conor McGregor as “absolutely disgraceful”.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs was asked to respond to comments posted online by McGregor where he said “Ireland, we are at war” and “you reap what you sow”.

While Mr Martin did not name McGregor, he said comments “of that type” are “essentially inciting hate”.

“There has been many comments I’ve watched online of that type which are “absolutely disgraceful,” Mr Marin told reporters.

“We have a parliamentary democracy, we value that, Irish people do as well.

“Isolated voices like that and voices that essentially are inciting hate and to some degree incitement is unacceptable.”

In the lead up to the riots, the Crumlin MMA star launched an astonishing attack on allowing immigrants to vote on his ‘X’ account declaring: “Ireland, we are at war”.

In a series of messages posted on his feed he adds: “Do not let any Irish property be took over (sic) unannounced. Evaporate (sic) said property. It’s a war.”

As the riots were in full flow in the city centre at around 10pm, he wrote: “I don’t care about President Higgins’ statement. Or Varadkar’s statement. Or Mary Lou’s. Or Justice (Minister) McEntee’s. Or Garda Commissioner’s.

“Announce our plan of action!! What are we waiting for? Your statements of nothing are absolutely worthless to the solving of this issue. Take Action!! Fix this situation IMMEDIATELY!”

Later McGregor posted a photo of vehicles on fire on O’Connell Street and wrote: “ What would Daniel O’Connell say I wonder?

“What would our Irish leaders past say on the situation we face today? God bless Ireland.”

However McGregor also described scenes in Dublin as “despicable” while also criticising the Government. “People looting shops amidst the anger and rage Ireland has for the many failed policies of government,” he wrote on X.