A man viciously punched by Conor McGregor has said the fighter is “stupid” for abusing mental health issues and Ireland soccer legend Paul McGrath.
Innocent assault victim Desmond Keogh, 54, was decked in the face in an unprovoked attack by the 34-year-old in 2019. Millionaire MMA star McGregor – who is dubbed The Notorious – pleaded guilty to the punch after Des refused to drink a whiskey with him.
Critics this week accused McGregor of abusing mental health issues when he trolled comedian PJ Gallagher, 47, about depression and offered to fight McGrath, 63, and barred him from his pubs. Des, who McGregor later barred from his Marble Arch pub in Dublin, told Dublin Live that his attacker’s comments about PJ and Paul are “stupid”.
Read more: Conor McGregor challenge prompts Paul McGrath's son to step in on dad's behalf
He said: “I have no interest in having McGregor in my life. I have blanked him out. But I am an Ireland supporter and to say that about Paul McGrath, who is a national legend in my eyes, is a stupid thing to say. That’s my opinion. Why would he say that?
“And mental health is very important. What McGregor said about that was stupid as well. I don’t know why anyone would speak about someone else’s mental health. There’s no reason for it.
“He banned me and he banned Paul McGrath. He seems to be banning people for no reason. You’re not a very nice person, are you, if you behave like McGregor? The man [PJ Gallagher] was talking about his mental health.”
The controversy involving McGregor, Gallagher and McGrath began earlier this week after the comedian and radio host reshared a video of a US sports presenter calling the Irish star one of the “top five active UK fighters in the UFC”. PJ joked: “Normally this kind of thing winds me up – but they can have this lad.”
McGregor then responded by referencing the mental health of PJ, who earlier this year revealed that he suffered a “total breakdown” and spent 11 weeks with St Patrick’s Mental Health Services in Dublin. McGregor posted online: “Sit up and smile for a change will you, you sad c***. Hahaha. Wife left you and all and you’re crying in the paper about depression.”
McGrath then said: “PJ take no notice of bullies, you’re loved by everyone. Whatever you do, don’t let him get the better of ya, pal.” He added: “Conor, you need to find God and when you do, knock on my door, I will have the kettle on for ya. My good friend.”
Read more: Conor McGregor challenges PJ Gallagher and Paul McGrath to fight after Twitter row
McGregor then referred to the Dubliner Paul as “English” and said: “If someone comes at me, I am going to fire back. What don’t you get? I didn’t start any of this. It was me being bullied originally.”
He then told Paul in a tweet: “You’re barred from all my pubs as well now.” He also tweeted: “I challenge PJ and Paul McGrath to 2 vs 1 boxing match in aid of mental health and anti-bullying organisations.”
Paul’s son Mitch responded and said: “I’ll fight in my dad’s place. You calling out old men. You’re a joke, lad. Get a grip of yourself. Embarrassing yourself.”
McGregor’s punch at the Marble Arch pub in April 2019 was recorded on camera and he pleaded guilty to assault and paid a €1,000 fine. At the time, Des said McGregor was “a bit of a bully with money”.
He added: “I [was] sitting on the barstool, just having a quiet pint with my friend, then all of a sudden, because I refuse his drink, I get a punch. You don’t need that in life.”
McGregor has had several brushes with the law in Ireland and America. He was hit with a six-month driving ban in November 2018 and received a €1,000 fine for motoring offences in Co Kildare. He apologised for his actions when he appeared at Naas District Court.
Read more:
Woman assaulted as man throws item while getting off Luas at Jervis stop
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar slammed as 'out of touch' for hype video on first day in office
Dublin Airport bosses give assurances there won't be Christmas travel chaos
Man arrested as imitation gun and drugs found during north Dublin raids
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
