Conor McGregor vented his fury at coronavirus after paying tribute to his ‘lovely’ aunt in an emotional Instagram post.
The Irish UFC star received the news about his aunt, Anne Moore, over the phone shortly before he was due to go on television in Dublin to promote his ‘Proper No 12’ whiskey brand.
In the post announcing his aunt had passed away, McGregor wrote: ‘This stupid f****** virus. What the f*** is happening.’
It is not clear how Ms Moore passed away.
Conor McGregor, pictured, 31, paid tribute to his aunt, Anne Moore, in an emotional Instagram post. He received the news shortly before he was due to go on television in Dublin
The Irish UFC star vented his fury at coronavirus, posting: ‘This stupid f****** virus. What the f*** is happening’. He also praised Ireland’s containment of the virus
McGregor, 31, said he was no longer able to go on television and took his family to Bull Island, Dublin Bay, instead and ‘looked out at the sea’.
He posted a selection of photos, captioning: ‘I brought my family with me to the studio.
‘Sitting in the chair about to beam live to all the U.S morning talk shows, I get a phone call telling me that my lovely little auntie Anne had passed away.
‘I couldn’t go live anymore. My poor little friendly loving auntie. My mother’s sister. This stupid f****** virus. What the f*** is happening.
‘I took my family to Bull Island. Looked out at the sea. Took a deep breath. Thank f***! Lord thank you.
‘Stay tight people! We are all we got. Rest in Peace Anne Moore I love you.’
The Cage Warriors’ World Champion’s sister, Erin, also paid tribute to her aunt, posting: ‘Looking through all the photos thinking I’m so glad you took so many photos of us all together.
‘You to me are one of the strongest women I know. Nothing phased you and no matter what you just got on with it. I used to say “aunty ann you Moore ladies didn’t pass that gene on to me I’m a cry baby“ and you’d laugh.
McGregor posted photos with his daughter Croia, above, and a number of other family pictures. He was due to go on television to promote his ‘Proper No 12’ whiskey brand
‘You taught me what loyalty and love and strength between a family is all about.’
Earlier in his post, McGregor wrote about Ireland’s containment of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: ‘Ireland you amazing, amazing country. I believe we have this virus contained. And through this containment, we actually may have gone and contained them all.
‘The good habits we will have now gained from this wild Covid-19 attack will see us too strong in future. Hand hygiene. Touching of own face hygiene. Consistent thorough cleaning of handled areas hygiene.
‘What we should really be all doing anyway. I have always been on with my hand hygiene. But not enough. If I think of all the people approaching to shake hands and what not.
‘I often get people say to me please I don’t want a picture, just let me shake your hand. And I’m like yes friend thank you. As it’s more efficient than taking a full picture. But it’s too careless. And too frequent.
Conor’s sister, Erin McGregor, also posted a picture, above, with a tribute to her aunt, writing: ‘You to me are one of the strongest women I know’
‘Touching my own hand to my face as well. Too unaware of the frequency I’d do it. Until now. I’d train my a** off, to the point of low immunity. It’s inevitable with the intensity of the training.
‘The immune system will be tested. I would float around in this manner, and always end up catching little colds and flu’s. I feel bullet proof right now though! I’m switched on like a motherf***** now.’
The UK’s infection rate soared by more than 200 yesterday to around 800 with 11 fatalities in total.
In a major escalation of the crisis, ministers are preparing to introduce emergency legislation early next week to allow all mass gatherings and sports events to be banned from next weekend.
It comes after sports bodies confirmed the postponement of the Marathon, the suspension of football matches and the cancellation of the England cricket team’s Sri Lanka tour.