Overnight, Conor McGregor’s Dublin pub, valued at £2 million, was targeted in a violent attack involving petrol bombs. The incident occurred only hours after it was reported that the UFC star had been at the venue.
Police are investigating the attack – possibly carried out by two men on scooters – at the Black Forge Inn pub. They are also probing claims pipe bombs were left at the scene.
McGregor, 33, who is from Dublin, bought the venue on Drimnagh Road in Crumlin, a southern suburb of the Irish capital, in 2019.
Gardai today appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage recorded near the pub overnight but said there was no damage to the venue, which was closed.
Sources told Dublin Live two men were seen on scooters near the pub before the alleged attempted bombing.
It is possible the attackers thought McGregor, who held a taste testing event at the venue last night, was inside the stylish bar at the time.
Conor McGregor’s £2million Dublin pub, the Black Forge Inn, was attacked with petrol bombs overnight hours after the UFC star was at the venue, according to social media posts which showed him at the pub last night
Social media posts last night showed the Ultimate Fighting Champion posing with a young girl at the Black Forge Inn
Police are investigating the alleged attack by two men on scooters at the Black Forge Inn pub – and probing claims pipe bombs were left at the scene
Sources told the Irish outlet: ‘There was two people allegedly spotted on scooters who passed the establishment at the time and next thing they were being chased by two others who had come out of the property.
‘McGregor had been holding a taste testing menu in the pub at the same time so the alleged attackers may have assumed he was inside.’
It is not yet clear why the Black Forge Inn was targeted in last night’s alleged attack but it is possibly related to 2017 pub brawl involving McGregor and an associate of a major Irish crime gang.
McGregor punched the relative of Graham ‘The Wig’ Whelan who is a senior member of the feared Kinahan drugs cartel, sparking fears of recriminations.
The Kinahan mob are believed to be the biggest importers of cocaine in Ireland and have been involved in a vicious feud with members of the rival Hutch gang, which has so far claimed 11 lives.
Members of the Crumlin-based Kinahan mob have also been engaged in a separate feud involving another gang in Drimnagh which has claimed a further 16 lives.
The Black Forge Inn boasts on its website that it will ‘lead the way in entertainment in Dublin Twelve’ and that it will host iconic events at our premium venue’.
The swanky interior combines traditional pub with a restaurant – and a menu that includes a £15 beef burger and a prime Irish fillet steak for £30.
A spokesman for the pub said: ‘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.’
The mixed martial artist, who is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight double-champion, now has a burgeoning business portfolio.
As well as the Black Forge Inn, McGregor owns The Marble Arch in Drimnagh.
He also owns several other businesses including sports recovery spray Tidl, a fashion line with David August and fitness app ‘McGregor Fast’.
Mixed martial artist McGregor, who is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight double-champion, now has a burgeoning business portfolio that includes the Black Forge Inn and several other companies
McGregor owns the Black Forge alongside The Marble Arch in Drimnagh and several other businesses including sports recovery spray Tidl, a fashion line with David August and fitness app ‘McGregor Fast’
Police said the Black Forge Inn was not damaged in the alleged petrol bomb attack last night and appealed for witnesses and footage from the area for their investigation
A police spokesperson said: ‘Gardai are investigating an incident of attempted criminal damage at a licenced premises on the Drimnagh Road, Crumlin last night, Wednesday 12th January 2022.
‘No damage was done to the premises. Gardai are appealing for witnesses in relation to this incident is asked to contact Gardai.’
‘Gardai are particularly keen for anyone with camera footage from the area overnight to make this available to them.
‘Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crumlin Garda station on 01 666 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.’
