MMA superstar Conor McGregor was spotted cosying up to US President Donald Trump in the White House, as the pair joined forces in the Oval Office on St Patrick's Day. The Dublin fighter was greeted by the President for a special meeting, during which McGregor expressed his admiration, saying: "Your work ethic is inspiring".

Before their encounter, McGregor unleashed a tirade on immigration in the White House press room, prompting Taoiseach Micheál Martin to denounce his comments as "wrong".

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, standing next to McGregor, remarked: "We couldn't think of a better guest to have with us on St Patrick's Day."

In an unexpected press conference, McGregor informed journalists about his meeting with Trump, which came shortly after the President declared him his favourite Irish person. McGregor stated: "I am here to raise the issues that the people of Ireland face.

"It will be music to the people of Ireland's ears because never on the main stage has the issues the people of Ireland face been spoken. Our government has long since abandoned the voice of the people of Ireland, and it's high time that America is made aware of what is going on in Ireland."

He continued to lambast the Irish government, describing the situation as a "What is going on in Ireland is a travesty, our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability. What is going on in Ireland is a travesty, our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability."

Addressing the plight of undocumented Irish in the US, McGregor asserted they should "look after" Irish citizens.

He said: "Ireland and America we are siblings; we consider America our big sibling, so it is important for Ireland to be a peaceful, happy, prosperous country and for 40 million Irish-Americans to have a place to visit to come back to their home so we wish for our relationship with the United States to continue and we wish to be taken care of by the big bro. The United States should look after its little bro, and that's how we feel."

In a sharp rebuke on X, Taoiseach Micheaal Martin condemned the MMA superstar's comments. He penned: "St Patrick's Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship. Conor McGregor's remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland."

Addressing the media in New York during the St Patrick's Day festivities, Taanaiste Simon Harris made it clear that McGregor was not an envoy for Ireland. He said: "Let me be very clear. Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland.

"He's here in a personal capacity. He doesn't speak for Ireland. He doesn't speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such, and my views on him are very clear, well established, previously articulated, long-standing and on the public record."

This article first appeared on the Irish Mirror.