Stout withdrawn from Irish pubs after rape case loss

JD Wetherspoon has joined a growing list of brands distancing themselves from Conor McGregor by removing alcoholic beverages from Irish pubs.

The pub chain has confirmed that Forged Irish Stout linked to the MMA fighter is no longer available at any of its seven locations in the Republic of Ireland.

Wetherspoon made a brief statement about the decision but did not provide a reason.

A representative stated: ‘Wetherspoon has made the decision to remove Forged Stout from its bars at ROI.’

The move follows the recent verdict of a civil jury that found McGregor, 36, responsible for the rape of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

Ms Hand, 35, was awarded compensation of approximately €250,000.

While McGregor announced his intention to appeal the decision, his fiancée Dee Devlin fiercely defended his accuser, attacking him online.

Devlin attacked Ms Hand on Instagram, saying: ‘My sons will be warned that there are women like you in the world.’

Earlier this week, it was reported that many of the UK’s leading retailers were planning to stop selling drinks linked to McGregor.

Retailers including Tesco, which has more than 3,400 stores in the UK, Asda, which has more than 1,200 locations, and Ocado, a major food delivery service, have confirmed they will no longer stock Proper 12 whiskey or Forged Irish Stout.

McGregor became the face of both brands, taking part in various advertising and promotional campaigns for Proper 12 whiskey, named after the Dublin postal district.

A spokesperson for Tesco told MailOnline: ‘Suitable No. ‘We can confirm that we have removed 12 Whiskey from sale in Tesco stores and online.’

An Asda spokesperson commented: ‘I can confirm that we have removed Forged Irish Stout from sale in store and online and have informed the supplier of this decision.’

Ocado also confirmed that beverages linked to McGregor had been removed from the platform but did not comment further.

This comes after Irish distributors confirmed they would stop selling both Proper 12 whiskey and Forged Irish Stout.