Conor McGregor SLAMS Irish PM As 'Disgrace' Following Response To Hamas Releasing Child Hostage

Over the weekend, former UFC champion Conor McGregor took to social media to lambast the prime minister of Ireland after he attempted to downplay the kidnapping and release of an Israeli-Irish child by Hamas. "This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family," Prime Minister Leo Varadkar wrote. "An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered." Hamas released Hand to her family as a part of a hostage deal with Israel.

In response, McGregor called Varadkar a "disgrace" and explained that the Irish will "not forget." "She was abducted by an evil terrorist organization. What is with you and your government and your paid-for media affiliates constantly downplaying/attempting to repress horrific acts that happen to children," McGregor wrote. "You are a disgrace. The day after a stabbing of children in Ireland, NOT ONE PAPER HAD IT ON THEIR FRONT COVER. We will not forget."

McGregor has been increasingly vocal against the leading politicians in Ireland after a stabbing incident in Dublin last week that led to the maiming of three children. Following the events, McGregor took to X/Twitter to write, "Ireland, we are at war." Following the stabbing, Dublin erupted into mass riots and looting. While McGregor did call for action, he also condemned the acts of violence, writing, "I do not condone last nights riots. I do not condone any attacks on our first responders in their line of duty. I do not condone looting and the damaging of shops. Last night's scenes achieved nothing toward fixing the issues we face. I do understand frustrations however, and I do understand a move must be made to ensure the change we need is ushered in. And fast! I am in the process of arranging. Believe me I am way more tactical and I have backing. There will be change in Ireland, mark my words. The change needed. In the last month, innocent children were stabbed leaving school. Ashling Murphy murdered. Two Sligo men decapitated. This is NOT Ireland's future! If they do not act soon with their plan of action to ensure Ireland's safety, I will."

In addition to being lambasted by the former UFC champion, the Irish prime minister was also fact-checked by a community note which read, "Hamas Terrorists kidnaped Emily Hand on October the 7th. The use of the term lost is inappropriate and fails to highlight that she was released as part of a hostage deal." Beginning last week, a pause in the fighting in Northern Gaza has taken place between the IDF and Hamas, allowing for the release of dozens of hostages, mostly women and children, from captivity. On Sunday, Hamas released 17 hostages, including a four-year-old Israeli-American girl, in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel.

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