POLICE are hunting an arsonist suspected of torching the pub owned by former MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
Detectives believe a person doused the Black Forge Inn with a “flammable liquid” at 3am this morning.
McGregor pictured in his pub, The Black Forge Inn[/caption]
Workmen repair damage this morning caused by a small fire overnight to Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn[/caption]
Conor McGregor has broken his silence following a pub blaze[/caption]
It’s understood the suspect used a flammable liquid at the front of the premises before setting it on fire and then fleeing the scene.
Gardai are examining CCTV from the area in a bid to identify the suspect.
Officers were also examining the scene of the arson attack in Crumlin, a suburb of the Irish capital, in a bid to gather evidence.
The blaze will be investigated as criminal damage caused by fire.
It’s understood Gardai intend to speak to McGregor about the fire.
But if he’s not available, detectives will attempt to speak to the bar’s management.
Gardai are also trying to establish a motive for the arson attack.
The former cage fighter is believed to be overseas but is aware of the attack.
A source said: “Some type of flammable liquid was used at the entrance to the pub before being set alight.
“There was a small fire at the door that was quickly brought under control.
“One individual was involved in the incident and quickly ran from the scene.
“Thankfully there was no one around at the time and nobody was injured.”
Investigators are now trying to establish a motive for the incident.
They are probing if the bar was targeted to intimidate McGregor or is linked to individuals who have socialised in the bar.
One local told us: “McGregor’s bar has been quiet recently but it’s no surprise to nearby residents this has happened.
“The homes near the pub were woken up by the sound of fire engines and sirens.
“The fire was extinguished pretty quickly and then the guards were back first thing to examine the pub.
“It’s hard to know who was behind this attack because he’s not popular with everyone in this community.”
This is the second time McGregor’s pub has been targeted in an arson attack.
In 2022, a petrol bomb was thrown at the bar but it failed to ignite.
Following that incident, McGregor also installed bullet proof windows in the pub.
The investigation into the latest attack is being led by officers from Crumlin Garda station.
Gardai confirmed an investigation was ongoing.
A spokesperson said: “Gardai attended the scene of an incident of criminal damage at a licenced premises on the Drimnagh Road, Crumlin that occurred at approximately 3am on Friday 25th July.
“The fire was extinguished by the Dublin Fire Brigade.
“No injuries have been reported.
“The scene is currently preserved and a technical examination will be conducted in due course. Investigations are ongoing.”
A spokesperson from Dublin Fire Brigade added: “Firefighters from Dolphin’s Barn were mobilised to the address and on arrival found a small fire at the front of the building.
“Using a high pressure hose reel, one fire engine dealt with the incident and no injuries were reported. The scene was handed over to Gardai.”
lips show emergency services battling the blaze at the venue on Drimnagh Road in Crumlin, a suburb of the Irish capital.
Reacting to the scenes today, McGregor defiantly posted a video on Instagram while holidaying with his family on a boat.
‘UNBEATABLE’
Before drinking from a can of Forge beer, he said: “The pub is open for business today folks.
“You wouldn’t get through it with a rocket launcher. She’s spotless.
“Up the forge!”
He later posted an aerial shot of the pub, captioned: “UNBEATABLE!”.
Pictures taken today have revealed the extent of the clear up from the fire, with workmen spotted repairing the exterior of the building.
The former UFC World Champion’s bar was previously targeted in January 2022.
Yobs armed with petrol bombs attacked the venue just hours after the fighter had been there.
At the time, cops said they were investigating attempted criminal damage.
He purchased the Irish pub for roughly £2million in 2019.
In a statement released after the “unprovoked” attack, The Black Forge Inn management team confirmed staff and customers had not been harmed.
It read: “After hours last night it appears that criminals made an unprovoked effort to inflict damage to the Black Forge Inn.
“There was no damage done to any patrons, employees or the Forge and Mr. McGregor was not on the premises at the time of the incident.
“The Gardai have opened an investigation into the event. We are open and busy as always.”
It comes as the star was embroiled in a cheating scandal earlier this month, after being spotted cosying up to a number of women.
The Sun revealed how McGregor had been seen with a mystery blonde in a Dublin nightclub – just days before he was spotted kissing another woman in Florida.
The former UFC champion was pictured smiling with his hands around a blonde woman’s waist.
A shocked fan snapped the pair on July 6 at Soho nightclub in the Irish capital.
Days later, McGregor was spotted kissing a bikini-clad mystery woman on a beach.
They were seen packing on the PDA in full sight of other beachgoers.
He then laid down a towel for the woman and wrapped an arm around her shoulders in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The athlete has been engaged to Dee Devlin since 2020 and they share four children together.
McGregor’s long-time fiancee appeared to brush it off as she took to social media to wish him a happy birthday.
Putting on a united front, she also posted a series of photos of herself and the fighter beaming together.
She seems to be staying loyal to her partner, even after he packed on the PDA with another woman.
The latest scandal comes as leaked nudes McGregor sent to Azealia Banks were posted online by the rapper.
She alleges the fighter sent her the photos on X unprompted – despite her not following him back.
The rapper claims the messages were sexual harassment, but also said that she sent the boxer nude pictures as well in a sexting-back and-forth since 2016.
Conor McGregor and a pint of his Forged Stout[/caption]
The fighter’s pub was targeted in 2022[/caption]
Putting on a united front, Dee posted a series of photos with her and McGregor[/caption]
