Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins has said he was “not happy at all” with a party councillor who has taken legal proceedings to try to stop a Dublin gig by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
Mr Collins said he will be speaking to Linda de Courcy because of her objection to the licence of Vicar Street, saying it cannot be done in Independent Ireland’s name. The TD said he could not stand over a business losing its licence and the threat that could pose to up to 100 people’s jobs.
Ms de Courcy, a South Dublin county councillor, told Dublin District Court on Monday that she was there on behalf of party TD Ken O’Flynn and would be objecting to Vicar Street’s dance and music licence. She added that it was due to serious concerns regarding the scheduled performance.
Bob Vylan sparked controversy at their Glastonbury performance in summer when they led chants of “death, death to the IDF” in reference to the Israel Defense Forces and the war in Gaza.
RM Block
The pro-Palestine duo are due to play a headline show at Vicar Street, Dublin, on November 26th as part of their We Won’t Go Quietly tour.
Mr Collins said that he only became aware of the legal bid when it was reported by the media on Monday evening.
“I certainly will be honest with you, I am not happy. Independent Ireland are not happy, and it can’t be done in our name,” Mr Collins said.
He said Ms de Courcy was an “excellent councillor” and he had “no issue” with her having an objection against the musician.
“But an objection against the licence of a business is something I do object to. And I’m fighting every day of the week for businesses to survive inside there,” Mr Collins said, gesturing towards Leinster House.
“And for that to be done, it’s not done in Independent Ireland’s name. And I will be speaking to Linda de Courcy to make sure that she understands that, because I am not at all happy about what I read.”
Mr Collins added that Ms de Courcy had “legitimate reasons” to object to Bob Vylan. “But the business, to object against it, where there could be up to 100 people who may lose their livelihoods, I certainly will not stand over it and I will not agree to that.”
Ms de Courcy had told Dublin District Court on Monday that Mr O’Flynn had already written to Vicar Street over the gig.
Mr Flynn told reporters on Tuesday that his concerns were with the protocol around the event and the possibility that it could attract protests.
Mr O’Flynn said he had found it “upsetting” when the act’s frontman Bobby Vylan made derogatory comments about US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk after he was killed.
“That upset me very much, and that’s why I put pen to paper,” Mr O’Flynn said, adding he believes Vicar Street should respond to him
Citing the 1879 Henrick Ibsen play A Doll’s House, Mr O’Flynn said he had a high regard for the arts and the way that it can change society. But he said he felt that Bob Vylan had made a career of “spreading hate.”
“I find it disgusting, but that’s my own opinion, and he’s entitled to say what he likes,” he said.
Mr O’Flynn added: “Certainly it’s not our intention to close down anybody. I believe everybody should have the free right to speech.”
