Conor McGregor has called for the Irish government to bring in the military help enforce the country’s coronavirus lockdown. On Friday night, the Republic of Ireland told their citizens to stay at home for two weeks to help curb the spread of the rapidly-spreading COVID-19 virus.

Like in the UK, the Irish government have been having difficulty keeping members of the public indoors.

McGregor has already called for stronger action from the government and has now urged them to draft in the army to help enforce the lockdown rules.

In a four-minute-long video on Facebook, the former two-division UFC champion said: “Hello everyone, hello Ireland.

“We have now entered a more substantial lockdown and I am pleased to see it. You see, if you do not enter the game, you cannot win it.

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“The fate of our lives and the lives of our loved ones depends on it.

“Tonight our defence forces have been mentioned as a possibility in assisting our 15,000 gardai available – but only if necessary.

“However, it is necessary. I urge our government to utilise our defence forces alongside a garda Siochana and for full 24-hour patrol. We can not go by chance here.

“Any less than full adherence to these newly put forth methods by any members of our society will not only be a mockery of what we are attempting to do here, it will put the rest of our great nation in danger.”

McGregor’s latest message to the Irish government comes after it emerged he’s purchased €1milllion worth of protective equipment for staff at hospitals in the region of Leinster, which has borne the brunt of Ireland’s coronavirus outbreak.

The Dubliner, 31, made his long-awaited return to the UFC in January in the main event of UFC 246, where he locked horns with fellow fan favourite Donald Cerrone.

The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion demolished Cerrone in 40 seconds to pick up his first in over three years and become the first fighter in the promotion’s history to register stoppage victories in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions.

‘The Notorious’ is hoping to return to his active ways in 2020, setting his sights on two more Octagon outings.