Kneecap: 'We're getting upper hand on British Empire'
DJ Próvaí of Belfast rap trio Kneecap has thanked fans who turned out to support them ahead of bandmate Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's court case in London for an alleged terrorism offence.
Speaking to RTÉ News ahead of their gig at Fairview Park in Dublin this evening, DJ Próvaí said that there was "great support there from a 1,000 people" and that fans had gathered because "they know we're going to win."
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in a London court on Wednesday and has been granted unconditional bail until his next hearing on 20 August.
DJ Próvaí, whose real name is JJ Ó Dochartaigh, said the band "dealt a good blow to the courts in Westminster," and added that "we have them on the back foot".
Asked about the impact that the court case has had on the band, he said that there was "a bit of relief" and that their court appearance on Wednesday went well "because it seems like we're getting the upper hand on the British Empire."
DJ Próvaí also addressed the high calibre of Kneecap's legal team, which includes some heavyweight names. "We have top class world class lawyers there including Gareth Pierce, Darragh Mackin, Blinne, all of them top class," he said.
He also addressed the atmosphere outside the court yesterday in London, saying that there was even a stage outside but he said "he was not surprised at all" at the level of support with the crowd chanting messages of support for free speech and for a free Palestine.
Looking forward to tonight's gig in Fairview, DJ Próvaí said that Kneecap were "buzzing for it" as they have not played in Ireland for a while so "it's brilliant to be back".
"The crowd will be giving it stacks and we want it to be one of the special nights of the year."
He added: "We haven't been in Dublin in a good while and there's nowhere better than Fairview to do it!"
Standing outside of the venue, a large crowd holding a mixture of Irish and international flags gathered this evening, with some saying they were attending the gig because of Kneecap's commitment to the Irish language, and others citing their pro-Palestinian political views as the reason they like them.
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