Independent Ireland election candidate who supported Conor McGregor in court quits party
Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Sr) sat between Dee Devlin and James Lawrence as he joined McGregor’s family in the courtroom to hear the verdict read out.
Sutcliffe was photographed accompanying McGregor into court on Friday alongside Devlin, McGregor’s mother Margaret, sister Aoife and father Tony.
A former boxer and two-time Olympian, he has coached McGregor in the past.
He defeated the outgoing Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, to take a seat in Dublin City Council for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh in June when he ran as an Independent Ireland candidate.
However, in a statement issued this afternoon, Independent Ireland said Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Snr) is no longer a member of the party.
“Following a meeting with a senior party official today, Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Snr) has tendered his resignation to the leadership of Independent Ireland,” the statement reads.
“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.”
In June, the newly-elected councillor thanked Conor McGregor’s beer brand for “sponsoring his campaign”.
In a post on social media, he said that his campaign had been “sponsored” by the MMA fighter’s beer brand.
“I also want to thank the mammies and daddies of Crumlin boxing club,” he said on a video on social media.
“I also want to thank Forge Stout for sponsoring me.” McGregor wrote under the video: “Hero.”
The 64-year-old who has twice represented Ireland at the Olympics in boxing and won two national titles coaches out of Crumlin Boxing club and has worked with McGregor throughout the years.
After Mr Sutcliffe announced that he was seeking election, McGregor said: “Coach Sutcliffe! Vote INDEPENDENT!”