Conor McGregor arrived at court in Dublin on Thursday after the judge had threatened to have him arrested earlier in the day when he failed to show.
Furious Judge Miriam Walsh made the order after the 29-year-old UFC champion was absent for the third time over a speeding charge, declaring that she was ‘getting nothing but the fingers from Mr McGregor.’
Had he refused to appear, the judge said, a bench warrant would have been passed to the Gardai to arrest him for the purpose of bringing him before the court.
Conor McGregor arrived at court on Thursday after a judge threatened to have him arrested after he failed to show up for a morning hearing
McGregor had failed to turn up to court on three previous occasions, and Judge Miriam Walsh accused him of showing ‘absolute disrespect’
The UFC champion had been due to appear for a speeding offence but once sent his business partner in his place, and today attempted to send his lawyer instead
He is charged with driving in excess of a 100kph (62mph) speed limit on the N7 Naas Road at Rathcoole, in Dublin, on March 31 last.
Yesterday morning, his solicitor Graham P. Kenny told Blanchardstown District Court that his client was pleading guilty – but that his client had some points to make in ‘mitigation’ before a final decision is made on any punishment.
Judge Walsh said that if McGregor wants to make any case in his defence, ‘he has to be here’.
The District Court judge pointed out this was the third time McGregor had failed to turn up in court – and that she was not prepared to tolerate any further ‘disrespect’.
She said: ‘I’m giving him one more opportunity to be here. If he isn’t here, I’m going to issue a bench warrant. I’m getting nothing but the fingers from Mr McGregor.’
McGregor’s lawyer Graham Kenny (second right) had attempted to convince the judge his client was unavailable, but she refused to take no for an answer
McGregor attempted to excuse his absence by saying he was pleading guilty to the speeding offence, but that did not sway the judge
The UFC champion covered his face from waiting journalists as he left the courtroom
When Mr Kenny offered to ‘make a phonecall and ask him [McGregor] to appear,’ the judge retorted: ‘This is like a broken record…He has to be here and I’ve said that from the get-go, from the very first day.’
When Mr Kenny again invited the judge to deal with the case in Mr McGregor’s absence on the basis that he was pleading guilty, the judge said: ‘Mr McGregor will have to be here. I’m sorry but this is absolute disrespect to the court.
‘I’m very annoyed with Mr McGregor, the same way I’m annoyed with any other defendant before the court…You can tell him there will be a bench warrant coming in his direction if he’s not here.’
And she added: ‘You can tell him about my ire in relation to the matter. This is simply a speeding matter.’
McGregor arrived at court in a BMW i8 sports car, thought to be worth around £200,000
The sports star made a hasty exit from the court after the brief hearing on Thursday morning
The court was then adjourned and at some point late in the morning McGregor was spotted rolling up to the courthouse in a BMW sports car.
He was wearing a matching pair of green Adidas jogging bottoms and sweatshirt along with white trainers.
Last time McGregor’s case was before the same court on November 24, his ‘business manager’ appeared in his place. On that date, Judge Walsh said McGregor must either appear in court himself – or send a legal represenative.
Under current Irish laws, speeding results in a fine of €80 (£70) with three penalty points. If that is not paid within 28 days, the fine increases to €120 (£105).