Bob Vylan launches defamation action against RTÉ

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Members of British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have filed defamation proceedings against national broadcaster RTÉ.

The group, which performed at Dublin’s Vicar Street last month, allege that RTÉ engaged in defamation by saying the lead singer led antisemitic chants during a Glastonbury performance.

The band gained significant attention when frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster led a chant of “death, death to the IDF” during a BBC livestreamed performance at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset in June.

Records in the High Court show documents were filed by Phoenix Law on behalf of Robinson-Foster and drummer Wade Laurence George on Monday.

The firm said: “The proceedings arise from a broadcast aired by RTÉ News following Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury Festival on June 28th 2025.

“During this broadcast, comments were made alleging that the lead singer of Bob Vylan led antisemitic chants. These allegations are categorically denied by our clients and are entirely untrue.”

Phoenix Law said Bob Vylan had made statements expressing support for Palestinian self-determination and criticising military actions by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).

It said the comments did not target Jewish people or express hatred towards any group.

“The comments made were politically charged but not antisemitic in nature.”

Solicitor Darragh Mackin said: “Our clients are no stranger to utilising their freedom of expression to speak out against the genocide in Gaza.

“There is however a fundamental distinction between speaking critically about the role of the Israeli state forces, and being antisemitic.

“The former is speech within the confines of political expression, whereas the latter is a form of hatred directed towards Jewish people.”

RTÉ said it does not comment on legal proceedings.