Conor McGregor's claims that "Ireland is at war" and there is "grave danger" have sparked a furious backlash online in the wake of a knife attack believed to have been carried out by a Algerian national.
With tensions high and rioting in Dublin following the attack – in which a woman and three children were seriously injured in the street outside a church school – the MMA fighter waded in saying the authorities were not doing enough and should either "make change or make way".
But many blasted him online for "incitement" and claiming that he was in no position to talk on violence. One person wrote on X: "As for Conor McGregor, inciting hate and violence with his tweets…someone take his head out of the bag."
Another said: "I don't know why people take Conor McGregor seriously," while a further stated: "Just reading Conor McGregor's Tweets. He is one dangerous individual." There were many similar comments with one person writing: "Absolutely abhorrent views, but he's charismatic, persuasive and unrelenting enough that he will influence people."
Violence took hold of the Irish capital as hundreds took to the streets in protest after a man went on a stabbing spree outside a school on Parnell Square East in the north inner city on Thursday. Police condemned the rioting as "gratuitous thuggery".
Buses, trams and at least one Garda vehicle were burned and a shop was looted on one of Dublin's most famous throughfares, O'Connell Street. There were clashes with riot police as some demonstrators let off flares and fireworks, while others flung chairs and stools grabbed from outside bars and restaurants.
A police cordon was set up around the Irish parliament building, Leinster House, late on Thursday night with officers from the Garda Mounted Support Unit in nearby Grafton Street, amid concerns the violence may have spread to the seat of Ireland's democratic institutions.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris blamed a "complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology" for the disorder but UFC star McGregor said that the actions of the police were "not good enough".
Writing on X he wrote: "Innocent children ruthlessly stabbed by a mentally deranged non-national in Dublin, Ireland today. Our chief of police had this to say on the riots in the aftermath. Drew, not good enough.
"There is grave danger among us in Ireland that should never be here in the first place, and there has been zero action done to support the public in any way, shape or form with this frightening fact. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Make change or make way. Ireland for the victory. God bless those attacked today, we pray."
The trouble came after shocking scenes around lunchtime on Thursday when three children and a woman who was caring for them were stabbed close to Irish language medium primary school Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire.
A five-year-old girl underwent emergency treatment for serious injuries. The woman was also seriously injured while the two other children, a five-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, suffered less serious injuries. Gardai said a man who sustained serious injuries at the scene is a person of interest in their investigation.
McGregor, who was born and raised in Dublin, has been very active on X since the attack. He wrote: "You reap what you sow. Any update on the wellbeing of those stabbed today? Absolutely horrific scenes all day, my stomach is churning. With no action being taken at all during these ever more frequent events, like literally zero action taken whatsoever, how do we expect an end to this? We need reform. WE NEED ACTION!"
The 35-year-old also claimed the comments by politicians, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D. Higgins were "absolutely worthless". He said: "I don't care about President Higgins statement. Or Varadkar's 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!"