The Irish UFC fighter Conor McGregor has clarified that his aunt did not die of coronavirus infection after he appeared to say in a previous social media post that she died of the infection.
Conor McGregor, 31, had taken to social media on Saturday to post photos of his family and a heartfelt tribute in which he vented anger about the coronavirus.
In a lengthy and emotional statement on Instagram, McGregor announced that while he was at a TV studio in Dublin preparing for an appearance on a morning talk show to promote his whiskey brand, Proper No 12, he got a call that his “lovely little auntie Anne had passed away.”
The news upset the mixed martial arts fighter so much that he launched into an angry tirade on Instagram, denouncing coronavirus:
“I couldn’t go live anymore. My poor little friendly loving auntie. My mother’s sister. This stupid f**king virus. What the f**k is happening… Thank f**k! Lord thank you. Stay tight people! We are all we got. Rest in Peace Anne Moore I love you.”
Read the full statement below:
McGregor later took to social media to say his aunt did not die of coronavirus
After the emotional outburst on Saturday, Conor McGregor later took to social media to say that his aunt did not die from coronavirus, but he did not confirm the cause of the death of his aunt, Anne Moore.
“I am grateful for the kind wishes and sympathy for my Auntie’s passing. I want to clear up that it has been confirmed she was not a victim of coronavirus. As we prepare for her funeral I know that many of us will confront the virus in the weeks ahead.”
The coronavirus outbreak in Ireland
McGregor’s emotional outburst on Instagram comes as the BBC reported that 129 cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland as of March 14, representing an increase of 39 cases in 24 hours. The first cases of community transmission of the infection were also reported on Friday in Northern Ireland.
After images emerged on social media showing people packed close together in Irish pubs and clubs, the government announced it was considering banning mass indoor gatherings of more than a hundred people.
Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people have already been banned. Schools were closed in Ireland on Thursday and will remain close until March 29, the Daily Mail reported.
Meanwhile, according to the latest stats from Worldometer, 162, 593 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide as of March 15, 14:35 GMT (10:35 a.m. ET), with 6,069 deaths. The U.S. has 3,083 confirmed cases and a total of 60 deaths.
You can learn how to protect yourself from coronavirus infection here.