Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder shows support for Natasha O'Brien at Marlay Park gig

Pearl Jam. Picture: Danny Clinch

Eddie Vedder showed support for assault victim Natasha O'Brien on Saturday evening as Pearl Jam played Marlay Park on Saturday night.

Touring the release of their Dark Matter Album in April, the Seattle band took to the stage in Dublin at around 8pm.

Addressing the crowd about half way through their set, frontman Vedder raised the protests in Dublin, and across the country, which saw thousands of people gather in solidarity with Ms O'Brien who was viciously assaulted by a soldier in Limerick.

Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha O’Brien.

Protesters gather in Dublin in solidarity with Natasha O'Brien who was attacked by Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, who walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha O'Brien. Picture: Cate McCurry/PA Wire

"It's been brought to the forefront, which is a very positive thing," said Vedder.

"About women's rights, women's safety and some equality would be nice too."

Vedder said it was heartening to see so many men protesting in support of Ms O'Brien and called on the Irish judiciary to protect women.

"You know, there was lots of good men walking in the march too," he said.

"We gotta ask these judges too to protect our sisters, our daughters, our mothers, our wives.

"And it might be a good idea to have some more female judges too," Vedder added, before the band broke into their song Better Man.

Eddie Vedder of @PearlJam speaking out in support of assault victim Natasha O’Brien at their concert in Dublin ❤️🙏#justicefornatasha #ilovelimerick #pearljam pic.twitter.com/N4clCIUgz9

— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) June 22, 2024