The Dublin riots of last year cast a long shadow. Last week, Gardai arrested nine people in connection with events on the night of November 23.
They have dozens of other suspects on their radar, and more arrests are expected soon. That week in November was one where Conor McGregor kept himself busy online.
He posted about going to war. He used gun and bomb emojis. He called for buildings that were ''taken over'' to be ''evaporated''. His X posts alone had views of over 10 million each. They led to both billionaire Elon Musk and one-time comedian Russell Brand talking him up as a future President of Ireland.
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That week in November was also the one featuring the build-up to Katie Taylor's rematch with Chantelle Cameron. McGregor's sponsorship of the fight - through his Forged Stout brand - became a bone of contention, given his online activity.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin described McGregor's comments as ''absolutely disgraceful''. Taylor v Cameron was under the umbrella of Matchroom, and its chief Eddie Hearn was on the defensive when asked about whether it was appropriate to have McGregor on board.
He shut down questions on the matter in the post-fight press conference, but they wouldn't go away. A week later, Hearn was in Belfast for another Matchroom card - one headlined by a fight between Michael Conlan and Jordan Gill. Again, the card was sponsored by McGregor via Forged Stout. Again, Hearn was asked if this was appropriate.
"We are Matchroom, and Conor McGregor has a brand that has backed our events and fighters. It has been massively pro-active in trying to help Katie Taylor, and is massively passionate about Irish boxers and giving opportunities to Irish fighters," said Hearn.
"And of course, the brand has backed a lot of our other fighters and events. I have probably met the bloke twice. I can't speak on behalf of his comments. One, I don't know enough about them and the situation, and I know it is very sensitive."
"As a business, we have to look across the response, and our association with people. I am not standing here saying we are considering our position - at all times, we have to do that. But at the same time I want to make sure people are aware of the help that he has been."
So what has happened in the months since then? Two weeks ago, McGregor was busy on social media again, posting videos of the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock on fire, and putting the boot into the government while calling for an election.
This week, he has been in court, appearing before Judge David McHugh on road traffic offences. McGregor drove into a bus lane, jumped a red light and nearly collided with another vehicle.
He was found guilty, banned for driving for two years, and was fined €5000. The court heard McGregor had 20 previous convictions, mostly for minor road traffic matters.
So what is the story now with McGregor and Matchroom? Well, the card headlined by Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis - fixed for later this month but now postponed - was sponsored by Forged Stout.
Next month, Dalton Smith will take on Jon Fernandez on another fight night in Sheffield. McGregor's Forged Stout are one of the sponsors. Rewind to last November when Hearn was asked by Elaine Crowley about McGregor on Ireland AM and he played down the Dubliner's role.
But, two days earlier, Hearn was in Crumlin boxing club - where McGregor started fighting - and a Matchroom video showed him talking of McGregor as a partner. This week, many have commented that Olympic champion swimmer Daniel Wiffen has a confidence and self-belief that you normally don't get with Irish sportspeople.
Have they forgotten how McGregor carried himself in his pomp? He loved to tell the world how good he was - maybe there's selective amnesia at play. McGregor has managed the remarkable feat of both being hugely popular and hugely unpopular.
There has never been a more divisive figure in Irish sport. We've seen him in court more times in recent years than in the octagon. Plenty who worshipped him have moved on, but he's still Matchroom's man.
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