Fighter fined £861 after admitting assault on punter in Dublin bar

BY CATE McCURRY reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk before he was stopped by the two security men.

The policeman explained that McGregor spoke to a man sitting to Desmond’s right before punching Desmond with a closed fist on the left side of his face.

CCTV footage, which McGregor watched in court, showed him being removed by his security staff.

Mr O’Carroll confirmed that Desmond did not engage with McGregor and was looking the other way when he was hit.

Michael Staines, defending, told the court the victim had been given an apology.

A letter signed by Desmond and shown to the court confirmed he did not suffer any physical injury.

The court heard that McGregor has 18 previous convictions dating back 10 years, including one assault charge and a number of speeding and road traffic convictions.

Mr Staines said: “What happened was indeed wrong and inappropriate and he accepts that and has apologised to the injured party and, thankfully, (Mr Keogh) accepts it.”

Addressing the court, McGregor said: “What I did was very wrong and I would like to apologise again to the victim and to the court and I assure you nothing of this nature will happen again.”

Mr Staines asked the court to be lenient, saying that McGregor’s fights take place in the US and that his career could “be in jeopardy in the case of a conviction”, as it would be difficult to obtain a US visa.

McGregor also offered to give a substantial sum to the Peter McVerry Trust homeless charity.