Conor McGregor with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt

Controversial Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor is due to hold a St Patrick’s Day meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC.

He appeared at the White House press briefing room lectern on Monday with press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed the meeting was scheduled for later in the day.

Ms Leavitt said she “couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St Patrick’s Day”.

Last week, during a meeting at the White House with Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin, the US president praised McGregor’s tattoos.

In 2024, a woman who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel won a claim against him for damages in a civil case.

A jury found that he had assaulted her and ordered him to pay more than €248,000 (£206,000).

On Monday, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the fighter said he planned to “raise the issues the people of Ireland face”.

McGregor has previously spoken out against Ireland’s policies on immigration and asylum seekers.

Posting on X about McGregor’s White House visit the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “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.”

The boxer also attended President Trump’s inauguration in January.