Legal challenge launched to prevent Bob Vylan concert in Dublin
Tom Tuite
An Independent Ireland councillor has commenced legal proceedings aimed at halting a gig by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan in Dublin.
The outspoken UK band have sparked controversy in the wake of their Glastonbury performance during the summer, where they led chants of “death, death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Forces and the war in Gaza.
The pro-Palestine pair have announced a headline show at Vicar Street, Dublin, on November 26th as part of their We Won't Go Quietly tour.
However, Independent Ireland councillor, Linda de Courcy, told Dublin District Court on Monday that she and party colleague, TD Ken O’Flynn, would be objecting to Vicar Street's dance and music licence.
She added that it was due to serious concerns regarding the scheduled performance.
Clondalkin-based de Courcy, who was elected to South Dublin County Council in 2024, informed the licensing court's Judge Máire Conneely that Deputy O'Flynn had already written to the Thomas Street venue, but he had received no response.
Barrister Dorothy Collins, representing Liberty Venues Ltd, the operators of Vicar Street, told Judge Conneely she had no idea there would be any objections until now.
Judge Conneely notified councillor de Courcy that the objections must be set out in writing within three weeks, and the venue could then respond.
She remarked that Cork North Central TD should have been in court as he was an objector, but noted from councillor de Courcy that he could not attend on Monday because he was out of the country.
Judge Conneely adjourned the matter until November 17th and reiterated that formal objections must be sent to the respondent in writing within three weeks.
The BBC has partially upheld complaints regarding the act's contentious performance at Glastonbury.
The broadcaster's executive complaints unit (ECU) found that the live stream of the set violated editorial guidelines due to frontman Bobby Vylan's chant about the IDF and his use of pro-Palestine slogans.
The ECU also identified that abusive remarks made toward record company executives were antisemitic.
Although the performance was cleared of encouraging crime or breaching impartiality rules, the BBC removed the footage from its on-demand services. These events led to an announcement that it would no longer broadcast "high-risk" performances.
The band has also faced other consequences, including having their US visas revoked.
A Bob Vylan gig in the Netherlands was cancelled after frontman Bobby Vylan made comments about the murder of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, earlier this month.
