Kneecap and 80s legend Paul Weller share a cuppa in Dublin

Irish Independent

3 days ago

The 'modfather' was pictured with two of the three band members at Phibsborough's Bang Bang Cafe on Thursday night.
Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí and the band's manager Daniel Lambert were reportedly celebrating with Paul after their Irish language film nabbed the top prize at the Celtic Media Awards.
Set in west Belfast, the film tells the story of how Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí and Móglaí Bap came together to 'change the sound of Irish music forever".
The self-titled movie was awarded the Spirit of the Festival at the celebration of media throughout the Celtic nations and regions.
Weller was one of 40 acts who signed an open letter opposing what they claim were efforts to censor the trio due to their political statements during performances.
Sharing the snap to Instagram, Bang Bang cafe received numerous messages of support for the musicians, with one writing: 'As if we don't already love Weller enough'.
'Not one bit jealous! Paul Weller is just the greatest!,' added another.
Rapper Mo Chara whose real name is Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh, was handed a terrorism charge by UK police late last month.
It follows allegations that a Hezbollah flag was displayed at one of the band's concerts at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, last November.
The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on June 18.
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In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.'
Counter-terrorism police previously also investigated Kneecap after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.
The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised', and also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK.
In response to the charge, the group said in a social media statement: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.
'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction.
'We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective?
'To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out.
'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification.
'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.'
The controversy has not stopped their rising popularity and they are set to play one of the biggest dates in their career to 12,500 fans at London's Wembley Arena next September 18.
Kneecap were cancelled from the TRNSMT concert line-up in Glasgow, which they were due to play in July, due to safety concerns from UK police according to the festival.
However, Glastonbury has confirmed band will not be cancelled from the festival and have put the group on a larger slot on the Saturday afternoon at West Holts Stage.