TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said he was unaware that MMA fighter Conor McGregor would be marching alongside him in a St Patrick's Day parade in Chicago.
The Irish former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion wore a green sash with his own name emblazoned on it as he marched through the Windy City's streets.
McGregor was recently arrested and charged with robbery in Miami after allegedly stamping on a fan's mobile phone.
Mr Varadkar, who was also taking part in the parade on Saturday, confirmed he was not aware the mixed martial arts star was participating.
Asked if he thought it was appropriate to have McGregor officially taking part in the parade and "representing the country", Mr Varadkar said: "I think that's up to the organisers of the parade to decide who they want to march in the parade.
"I don't think he was representing the country, that's kind of what I was doing and that's why we are here."
The taoiseach was in Chicago on the fourth day of his annual St Patrick's Day tour to the US.
Mr Varadkar later boarded a boat for the Tourism Ireland cruise on the Chicago River.
In-keeping with tradition, the river was dyed green for the celebrations.
Speaking aboard the boat, Mr Varadkar said: "It's an enormous privilege for Ireland to have special access to the United States, the most important and most powerful country in the world, because of our diaspora of 30 million people here who claim Irish heritage."
He said that the strength of the Irish diaspora has been important to Ireland, particularly for the Good Friday Agreement.
"It's really important to us now as we face difficulties around Brexit, that the Irish voice and concerns are heard in the corridors of powers," he said.
On Friday, Mr Varadkar said US president Donald Trump could visit Ireland as early as June as part of his trip to Europe.
Mr Varadkar said "it would be most likely" that Mr Trump would visit Ireland when he travels to Europe for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings later this year.
Mr Trump confirmed he wanted to make the trip during a meeting with Mr Varadkar in the Oval Office in the White House on Thursday.
