Latest news with #NaoiseOCaireallain
Metro
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Kneecap slam 'outrageous' ban ahead of major music festival
Kneecap has taken aim at the Hungarian government for its 'outrageous' decision to ban them from the country. In recent months the Belfast-based rap group – which consists of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – has come under the spotlight, notably for their vocal support of Palestine. Last month Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, faced Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged with a terror offence. The 27-year-old has been accused of displaying a flag representing Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation at a gig last November. He has denied the charges. Then after their Glastonbury performance, in which O Caireallain suggested fans 'start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance, Avon and Somerset Police launched a probe into their set. Although it was announced last week that police had dropped their investigation, the band are again facing another hurdle. Kneecap had been due to play at Sziget Festival in Budapest next month. But earlier today Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs revealed they'd been banned from the country for three years. He said that the decision was made due to Kneecap members 'repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' A few hours later the band released a statement condemning the move. 'To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you,' they began. 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'.' They went on to write that claim was 'f***ing outrageous', adding that the Prime Minister had 'welcomed wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu like a hero just a few weeks ago'. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices when we see it,' they continued. 'It's clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people. 'Much like the good people of Budapest, who defied their own President's ban on their 'Pride Parade' in June, we will fight for what is right.' Festival organisers said the decision was 'unnecessary and regrettable' and could serve to 'not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide'. 'Sziget Festival's values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer,' they wrote in a statement. 'Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.' Kneecap, who were scheduled to play a set at Sziget's closing day on August 11, have faced the cancellation of several of their shows in the past few months, including the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, the Eden Project in Cornwall, and Germany's Hurricane Festival and Southside Festival. The band have repeatedly shut down claims they support Hamas and have denied accusations of anti-Semitism. More Trending 'Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponise false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide,' they said. After the investigation into their Glastonbury set, Kneecap said they were being 'targeted' and faced 'state intimidation'. 'We will continue to fight. We will continue to win,' they added. Metro has contacted representatives for Kneecap for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Bob Vylan singer supports Kneecap in first appearance since Glastonbury investigation MORE: Fontaines D.C. fan told to 'put Palestinian t-shirt in the bin' at London gig MORE: Kneecap lead 45,000-strong crowd in anti-Keir Starmer chants after launch of Glastonbury probe
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Orban bans Kneecap from Hungary
Kneecap, the Irish rap trio, have been banned from entering Hungary. Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, has barred Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh, from the country. They had been scheduled to perform at Sziget Festival on Aug 11, and remain on the line-up on its website. Zoltan Kovacs, a government spokesman, wrote on X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because its 'members repeatedly engage in anti-Semitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. He said: 'Hungary has zero tolerance for anti-Semitism in any form.' Saying the performance posed a 'national security threat', the government has 'formally banned' Kneecap for three years, the spokesman added. 'If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' Kneecap responded with a statement on X saying the group would 'fight on for what is right'. It read: 'To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crimes in any country.' Kneecap has had several shows cancelled in recent months, including at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and the Eden Project in Cornwall. The band claims this is part of a smear campaign because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The trio were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. It comes after Mr O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group was being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting ' Up Hamas, up Hezbollah ' and 'Kill your local MP'. Kneecap apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. The rap trio were also investigated over their set at the Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that it would be taking no further action against the trio after one member urged the crowd to 'start up a riot' outside court next month. Police said footage of Kneecap's comments at Worthy Farm was 'insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence'. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told The Telegraph: 'This is another example of two-tier justice. One of the band said on stage, 'let's start a riot in court', referring to an upcoming court appearance on a different matter. This is clearly inciting violence, yet he's been let off scot free.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kneecap banned from entering Hungary ahead of music festival
Irish rap group Kneecap have been banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled appearance at a music festival. The group, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11 and remain on the line-up on its website. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to its 'members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. 'If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall. They claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The trio – comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and 'Kill your local MP'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Kneecap banned from entering Hungary ahead of music festival
Irish rap group Kneecap have been banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled appearance at a music festival. The group, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11 and remain on the line-up on its website. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to its 'members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. 'If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall. They claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The trio – comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and 'Kill your local MP'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap from entering ahead of festival performance
Naoise O Caireallain, left, and Liam Og of the hip hop trio Kneecap perform during the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP) BUDAPEST, Hungary — Members of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap were banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled performance at the popular Sziget Festival as authorities argued the musicians' presence in the country would constitute a risk to national security. The Belfast trio, scheduled to play on Sziget's closing day on Aug. 11, is known for anarchic energy, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, currently part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references and for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout Israel's war in Gaza and say they don't support Hezbollah and Hamas nor condone violence. Hungary's immigration authority, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, published decrees on Thursday declaring Kneecap members Naoise Ó Cairealláin, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh and Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh would be banned from Hungary's territory for three years since their 'entry and stay constitute a serious threat to national security.' Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács wrote on social platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to 'antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah.' Hungarian authorities and other groups had earlier pushed Sziget Festival to cancel the band's performance. Hungary's minister for European affairs, János Bóka, noted the government's 'zero-tolerance' policy toward antisemitism in a July 11 letter to the festival's organizers. Hundreds of figures from Hungary's music and cultural community also have signed a petition calling for Kneecap's performance to be cancelled. The group performed in April at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians enabled by the U.S. government. That sparked calls for the rappers' U.S. visas to be revoked and several Kneecap gigs have since been canceled as a result. Justin Spike, The Associated Press
