Independent Ireland candidate resigns amid backlash over Conor McGregor association
Conor McGregor, with his mother Margaret McGregor, left, partner Dee Devlin and boxing coach Phil Sutcliffe Jnr, arrive at court. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Dublin City councillor Phil Sutcliffe has resigned from the Independent Ireland party ahead of a meeting to discuss his support for Conor McGregor.
Mr Sutcliffe, the party's Dublin South Central candidate, has been the boxing coach of Mr McGregor, who on Friday was found civilly liable for the assault of Nikita Hand.
He accompanied Mr McGregor to the High Court on Friday, prompting a meeting of the party's executive.
However, party co-founder Richard O'Donoghue, the outgoing Limerick County TD, said that Mr Sutcliffe tendered his resignation before this scheduled meeting.
Mr O'Donoghue told the that the party "could not condone his association with Mr McGregor."
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Mr O'Donoghue also said that the party had been troubled by reports that Mr Sutcliffe wanted to meet Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, who is running in Dublin Central. He said that the two things were at odds with the party's stance on law and order.
"We're a party that wants to help people," he said, adding that the party, while loosely whipped, holds high standards for its members.
A statement from the party said:
"Cllr Phil Sutcliffe (Snr) is no longer a member of Independent Ireland.
"Following a meeting with a senior party official today, Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Snr) has tendered his resignation to the leadership of Independent Ireland.
"The leadership of the Party has accepted his resignation.
"As we understand it, Cllr Sutcliffe is continuing in politics as a non-party representative. He is continuing his general election campaign and if elected will take up a seat in Dáil Éireann as a non-party TD."
