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Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have both said they will stop responding to public comments by Leo Varadkar after the former taoiseach criticised the US Ambassador’s recent visit to a pub owned by Conor McGregor. The exchange has added strain to political debate in Dublin and drawn strong reactions from campaigners for survivors of sexual violence.
Leaders step back from commenting
Both Mr Martin and Mr Harris told Extra.ie yesterday they will no longer offer a running commentary on remarks made by Mr Varadkar. Mr Martin said he values Mr Varadkar’s experience and contributions to public debate but declined to weigh into every intervention, adding he did not know the full context of the ambassador’s visit.
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Mr Harris described considering a personal rule of not replying to every public remark by the former Fine Gael leader. The pair signalled a desire to avoid constant public cross-talk within the political class.
Why the row began
Mr Varadkar criticised US Ambassador Ed Walsh after photographs emerged showing the ambassador at the Black Forge Inn in Crumlin, Dublin — a pub owned by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The images included the ambassador posing with the bar manager and holding McGregor’s UFC belt.
On the Path To Power podcast, Mr Varadkar said he “recoiled” at the news and suggested the ambassador should acknowledge it as an “error of judgement.” He also suggested the visitor who reported being assaulted, Nikita Hand, should be invited to the ambassador’s residence at Deerfield, and warned the episode had caused harm to US–Ireland relations.
Campaigners voice strong concern
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre criticised the ambassador’s presence at the venue, saying the visit “normalised and trivialised sexual violence.”
Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the centre, called it “hugely disappointing” to learn the US representative had visited the pub and said the organisation sees the impact of such decisions every day among the people it supports. The centre said it will be protesting the visit and other instances where those in power downplay sexual violence.
Ms Hand reposted a statement on social media criticising the visit but has not issued a public comment herself.
Political fallout inside Fine Gael
Senior figures within Fine Gael have privately expressed frustration at Mr Varadkar’s public interventions. A source told Extra.ie that his high-profile commentary is generating difficulties for colleagues and urged him to be more measured in his public remarks.
One minister suggested the controversy has placed added pressure on Mr Harris.
Government and diplomatic responses
Mr Martin said he has a good working relationship with Ambassador Walsh and praised the ambassador’s efforts to strengthen US–Ireland ties. He added he would not be publicly directing the ambassador’s conduct.
Mr Harris said the decisions of the United States government and its representatives in Ireland are matters for the US to determine. Neither Mr Varadkar nor the American Embassy provided a comment when contacted.
Background: In 2024 a civil jury found Conor McGregor liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand and ordered him to pay almost €250,000 in damages. That verdict underpins the sensitivity around public appearances at venues connected to Mr McGregor.
