Conor McGregor waxwork removed from museum
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A wax figure of Conor McGregor has been removed from display at the National Wax Museum Plus in Dublin, following the outcome of a civil trial involving the MMA fighter. The museum made the decision to take down the figure two weeks ago in response to McGregor’s court case, in which he was found guilty of assaulting Nikita Hand. A jury at the High Court in Dublin ruled that McGregor had raped Ms. Hand in a hotel in December 2018. As a result, McGregor was ordered to pay Ms. Hand almost €250,000 (£206,000) in damages.
The National Wax Museum, which is known for offering a family-friendly experience, explained that it regularly reviews its exhibits to ensure they reflect the values and expectations of its visitors. A museum spokesperson confirmed that while the McGregor figure had been one of the most popular exhibits, particularly with tourists, it was removed following the verdict. “If you look at most photos online taken by people visiting the museum, a lot would be with McGregor,” the spokesperson said.
McGregor’s waxwork was unveiled in August 2017 by his father, Tony McGregor. However, following the verdict in the civil case, several businesses began severing ties with McGregor, reflecting the significant fallout from the case. Companies associated with McGregor’s branding have distanced themselves from the fighter, particularly those linked to products like his whiskey and stout. Proximo Spirits, the company that owns the Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, which was co-founded by McGregor, stated that it would no longer use his name or image in its marketing.
Other businesses also took action, including Belfast bar Filthy McNasty’s, which announced it would suspend sales of McGregor’s Forged Stout. The bar, which had prominently advertised the product with a mural on its building, is now awaiting the removal of the mural. The decision was part of a broader trend, with pub chain JD Wetherspoon pulling McGregor-related products and supermarket giant Tesco removing them from its shelves and online store. Other retail chains, such as BWG Foods, which operates SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, Londis, and XL stores, followed suit and delisted McGregor’s products. Similarly, the Barry Group, which runs Costcutter and Carry Out outlets, also decided to stop stocking McGregor’s Forged Stout and Proper No. Twelve whiskey.
Musgrave, which owns several major supermarket brands, including Supervalu, Centra, Daybreak, and Mace, also ceased stocking McGregor’s products. Additionally, the Irish airport operator DAA announced that McGregor’s whiskey would no longer be available for sale at Dublin and Cork airports.
The backlash was not limited to businesses. On Monday evening, hundreds of people gathered in Dublin to show their support for Ms. Hand. The protesters marched from Dublin City Hall to the office of the Irish Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), expressing concerns about what they saw as a failure to prosecute McGregor in a criminal court. Although the burden of proof in a criminal case is much higher than in a civil trial, with a standard of beyond reasonable doubt, the DPP had decided in 2020 that there was “insufficient evidence” to bring criminal charges against McGregor. Ms. Hand requested that the DPP review its decision, arguing that she was being treated unfairly due to McGregor’s fame and status.
In response to questions about the DPP’s decision not to prosecute, Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee stated that the Irish legal system operates independently, and it is crucial to respect that independence. She emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the legal system, even if some individuals disagreed with the outcome.
As the controversy surrounding McGregor continues to unfold, the removal of his wax figure from the museum and the boycotts of his products highlight the growing impact of the civil trial verdict on both McGregor’s public image and his business dealings. The case has sparked broader discussions about accountability, celebrity status, and the role of legal systems in addressing allegations of serious misconduct.
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