Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has avoided jail after being handed a suspended sentence for dangerous driving in Dublin. The UFC star also received a two-year driving ban and a fine for two traffic offences.
McGregor, 36, of The Paddocks in Straffan, Co Kildare, was charged with several driving offences after an incident on the N4/M50 interchange in Palmerstown, west Dublin, on March 22, 2022. He had been travelling in his Bentley Continental GT when he was stopped by gardai on the motorway.
This week, McGregor resolved the issue with authorities. According to the Irish Mirror, he received a five-month suspended sentence, a €5,000 fine, and must “keep the peace” for two years. Additionally, he is banned from driving for two years. Charges for driving without insurance and a license were dropped after he produced the required documents.
McGregor has a history of driving offenses. In 2018, he was banned from driving for six months and fined €1,000 for speeding. It was revealed that he had “numerous other motor convictions.”
In Ireland, dangerous driving can have severe consequences, including heavy fines, long driving bans, and potential imprisonment. Repeat offenders face stricter punishments.
Conor McGregor last competed in UFC 264 in 2021, where he suffered a serious leg injury in a fight against Dustin Poirier. He was scheduled to return to the octagon earlier this year but withdrew due to a toe injury. McGregor now aims to make his comeback before the end of the year.
After the decision, McGregor was driven away in a Bentley convertible, accompanied by his father Tony. He made no comment other than to say thank you to an onlooker who wished him well.
This incident adds to the controversial public persona of McGregor, who is known as much for his exploits outside the ring as for his achievements inside it. As he prepares for a potential return to the UFC, his latest brush with the law serves as a reminder of the challenges he faces both in and out of competition.
