Cork TD Ken O’Flynn distances himself from attempt to halt Bob Vylan gig

Bob Vylan are due to perform in Vicar Street in Dublin on November 26

(Left to right) Independent TD Michael Collins and Councillor Ken O'Flynn. Mr Collins he objected to Linda de Courcy objecting to Vicar Street's licence while Mr O'Flynn said: 'Being honest with you, I don't really care for this type of man's rhetoric.' Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has distanced himself from legal proceedings aimed at halting a gig by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan in Dublin.

The rap duo hit headlines earlier this year following their Glastonbury performance, where they chanted “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”. They are due to perform in Vicar Street in Dublin on November 26.

Independent Ireland councillor Linda de Courcy told Dublin District Court on Monday that she was there on behalf of party colleague Mr O’Flynn and would be objecting to Vicar Street’s dance and music licence.

However, Mr O’Flynn told reporters at Leinster House on Tuesday that the first he heard of it was when he read a report in The Journal. He acknowledged that he had contacted Vicar Street with concerns about how the event would be managed.

He also criticised comments made by Bob Vylan following US political activist Charlie Kirk’s death. They said: “If you chat shit, you will get banged. Rest in piss, Charlie Kirk”.

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“I think my name was used in the proceedings, but it wasn't myself or the party,” Mr O’Flynn said.

“It was a party member, a party councillor. Linda de Courcy is an absolutely magnificent councillor and very, very proud of her. [She] does fantastic work around her constituency and the greater Dublin area for Independent Ireland.

“I think the concerns that came to me from the general public, and the concerns that came to Linda, were about protocols around the event.

“The questions that I sent in the letter, initially — which hasn't been replied to by Vicar Street as of yet, which is about 10 days ago — was outlining my concerns about, is there a garda report? Is [sic] there procedures? Is there the rest of it?

Being honest with you, I don't really care for this type of man's rhetoric, the chanting of death chants, a day after a man is slain very publicly, with two young children and a young wife. 

"I found it very upsetting when I saw the video of ‘rest in urine’, which was a much worse word than urine.

“That upset me very much, and that's why I put pen to paper.” 

Mr O’Flynn stated that he found Bob Vylan’s comments about Mr Kirk “disgusting”. However, he insisted he is a defender of free speech.

He said that Bob Vylan is “entitled to say what he likes” but “there is a risk” of what he labelled “death chants” and suggested there was an “increase in xenophobia” following their statements.

He said his fear was for Vicar St and that a plan needed to be put in place in case there are protests. “Certainly, it's not our intention to close down anybody. I believe everybody should have the free right to speech.” 

Party leader Michael Collins stated he had no issue with Ms de Courcy objecting to the artist playing but that he objected to her objecting to the licence. He said he would be raising the complaint with Ms de Courcy.