Irish actor nails Conor McGregor with brutal jibe in Greta Thunberg Gaza boat spat
The Game of Thrones actor and UFC fighter got into a war of words over the seizure of a Gaza aid flotilla intercepted by the Israeli Defence Forces
Irish acting legend Liam Cunningham has nailed UFC fighter Conor McGregor with a savage put-down in a spat over the seizure of the Gaza aid flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg.
The Swedish climate activist was onboard the Madleen yacht headed for Gaza with aid when it was intercepted by Israeli Defence Forces.
The incident comes as the aid flotilla and activists on board were raising awareness of the plight of Gazans who are starving and dying due to lack of adequate aid amid the Israel conflict.
Irish acting legend and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham took to X to label the seizure of the vessel as "reprehensible" before trading jibes with the MMA star.
Cunningham posted: "The Freedom flotilla was attacked during the night. The ship was rammed, boarded and the 12 volunteers kidnapped. This is more reprehensible behaviour from the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv."
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor replied: "I thought you were on this boat Liamo, what happened?” referring to the fact Cunningham was pictured a week earlier at the launch of the Madleen vessel in Sicily.
McGregor taunted: "You forgot your goggles? You get seasick off the gargle? Bottler.”
Within missing a beat, Cunningham retorted: "Didn’t know you could read and write, Conor. Thought you used your hands to tap out.”
The controversial fighter then shared a picture depicting Greta Thunberg, before another showing Cunningham at the launch event where the actor was pictured with two activists.
McGregor's said: “Tell us you’re plotting an Irish goodbye without telling us. Two bags full packed and ready to skid! Ah Liamo you little bottler!”
He later added: "For the record, Liam Cunningham is a virtue signaling bottler. He was right there and did not go. That is absolutely embarrassing.”
RTE had reported comments from Cunningham a week earlier, in which he said it was never planned for him to be on the vessel as it was a small boat.
At the launch of a new People Before Profit pamphlet “No To War – Defend Irish Neutrality”, Cunningham accused the Irish Government is "siding with warmongers."
McGregor later posted, seemingly sarcastically: "Bravo Greta, amazing awareness achieved. Enjoy the nice ride home. I admire your courage. My own lad just hadn’t got the stones, bless him. #bottledit Fair play, Greta."
The capture of the Madleen and its occupants has been widely condemned. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: "The activists forcefully kidnapped by Israel from aboard the Madleen must be immediately released. This represents yet another brazen violation of international law.
"Israel must be sanctioned by the EU. The Irish government must stop facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds.
"The brutal, dehumanising siege of Gaza must be brought to an end now. The genocide, the slaughter, the mass starvation must be stopped now."