Conor McGregor probed over alleged incitement to hatred after Dublin riots

Last Friday the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) commenced a major investigation into incitement of hatred over the violence that broke out.

There has been no arrests yet in this strand of the investigation.

“Gardaí are examining posts that Conor McGregor made to determine if this led to anyone being later incited to commit criminal acts,” a source said this afternoon.

“However there are a lot more people than him who are being investigated for allegedly inciting those riots including plenty of who might be described as so-called ordinary members of the public who were not previously known to gardaí.”

While an exact figure for the amount of people who are under investigation is not yet available, it has been confirmed that a number of them are what gardaí describe as “the usual far right agitators” who were inciting hatred online on Thursday and encouraging their followers and associates to travel into the city centre.

At least five of these individuals have been identified so far by the NBCI team in relation to their internet activity on Thursday night in terms of inciting hatred.

These people have previously been investigated for similar offences linked to anti immigration protests.

“Exact total figures are still not available because gardaí are still in the process of identifying how many were involved in this alleged offence on the day. This will take time,” the source pointed out.

“This is ongoing as a large number of social media platforms need to be examined. This is not just Twitter, it is Facebook, it is Instagram and a large variety of other social media,” the source added.

In the aftermath of the riots, Tanaiste 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.”

On Thursday last, 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 last Thursday, he wrote: “I don’t care about president higgins statement. Or Varadkars statement. Or Mary Lou’s. Or Justice 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.

Yesterday Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said social media was actively monitored from an intelligence and investigative point of view during the riots last week.

He told the Dublin City Joint Policing Committee that very serious disinformation was put online over a seven to eight-hour period.

Some companies were fast at responding and taking offensive material down but he said it was "a constant battle".

It is a criminal offence to produce and circulate threatening abusive or insulting text or recordings, if designed or likely to stir up hatred.

The offence carries a maximum penalty on indictment of two years and prison and/or a fine of up to €12,000.

Conor McGregor’s spokesperson has been contacted for comment.