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

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Kevin Prendergast dead: Ruby Walsh leads tributes to ‘trailblazer' Irish horse racing trainer
RUBY Walsh is among many prominent horse racing figures to pay tribute to Kevin Prendergast after his death at the age of 92. The son of the legendary Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast, he carried on the family business by establishing himself as a hugely successful flat trainer. Having been an amateur jockey early on in life, he obtained his trainer's licence in 1963 and embarked upon a glittering career with over 2000 winners. Speaking on today's ITV coverage from Royal Ascot, Walsh hailed Prendergast on a personal as well as professional level. Walsh emphasized: "He followed in the footsteps of his father Darky, and he trailed for long enough to compete against the great Vincent O'Brien and Aidan O'Brien, and he was a trailblazer. "His horses always looked impeccable. He was a brilliant racehorse trainer. Read More On Irish Sport "He was a legend in the sport, but he was a massive character, and he will be sadly missed." His final winner came in August when Chris Hayes rode Copie Conforme to victory at Bellewstown. More to follow... Moment Royal Ascot racegoers hurl punches in vicious brawl in front of shocked punters 1 He's been hailed as 'a brilliant racehorse trainer'

The Journal
40 minutes ago
- The Journal
Cannabis worth almost €3m seized in Limerick and sources say it was destined for foreign shores
ALMOST €3 MILLION worth of cannabis seized in Limerick yesterday was destined for foreign shores, Garda sources suspect. The drugs were seized by Revenue's Customs Service, in a 'controlled delivery', supported by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit. The drug haul was delivered to a premises based at the Delta Retail Park, Ballysimon, Crossagalla, Limerick. No arrests were made, however the seizure has provided Revenue and Garda officers with further intelligence into how drugs are being transported to and from Ireland and onto other parts of the world. Sources said Gardai and Revenue Customs officers are in regular contact with international police agencies tracking deliveries of cocaine and cannabis through Ireland that are being transported off the island for foreign shores. Advertisement Some drug shipments from Brazil, Mexico and Spain, that land in Ireland are being transported onto the UK, Australia and back into mainland Europe, are also being returned to Irish shores for sale here. Thursday's seizure of cannabis, which was made under an intelligence-led operation, saw an estimated €2,940,000 worth of the illegal drug seized. According to a statement by Revenue, the massive seizure saw 147 kilograms of cannabis recovered. 'This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing joint investigations involving organised crime groups and the importation, sale, and supply of illegal drugs,' a Revenue spokesperson said. 'If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.' According to Revenue, investigations into the major seizure are still 'ongoing'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Kneecap fans charged €30 for balaclavas and ‘free Mo Chara' tshirts at Dublin gig
Fans who did buy them at official merchandising stalls may feel they got a bit of a bargain as the same items are fetching over €110 online. KNEECAP fans are not only lapping up their music but also their imaginative merchandising. Woolen Irish tricolour balaclavas, as famously sported by band member DJ Provai, were on sale at last night's gig in Dublin's Fairview Park for €30. Many fans took delight wearing them, with security signs on nearby entrances earlier anticipating the craze by signalling: 'Balaclavas may be worn but please show your face if asked by security staff'. Kneecap News in 90 Seconds - June 20th Fans who did buy them at official merchandising stalls may feel they got a bit of a bargain as the same items are fetching over €110 online. Kneecap t-shirts, primarily in black, were also generally priced at €30. The most popular one being snapped up had 'Free Mo Chara' on its front, in obvious reference to band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's current court case in London. Tshirts on sale at the gig This was the group's first show since Liam's appearance at a magistrates court in London on Wednesday on alleged incitement of terrorism charges (for displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig in the British capital several months ago), with his case being put back until August while he's released on unconditional bail. Other t-shirts read 'Kneecap: England get out of Ireland' and 'Take these yokes and we'll go for a dance'. A Kneecap hoodie was on sale for €70 and shorts for €40. There was also a separate stall selling pro-Palestinian items. Much of the marketing ideas are originated by the band's enterprising Dubliner manager Daniel Lambert. Daniel is also the C.E.O. of Bohemians FC, where he has had a phenomenal success of bringing sales of merchandising of replica jerseys from just over €100,000 a year to an estimated €2 million. A sign on display at the gig The jerseys, many of which are bought online from abroad, have already have themes such as Bob Marley (who played in Dalymount Park in 1980), 'Refugees Welcome' and 'Fontaines DC'. Environmentalist Greta Thunberg was spotted wearing a Bohs' Fontaines DC on her recent attempted boat trip to Gaza. 'I'm a free man', announced Liam as he took to the stage last night, to whoops of support from the sold-out crowd of 8500 who packed out a giant marquee. Free Mo Chara tshirts were on sale Liam also later wryly stressed that 'I'm not the first lad from west Belfast' that ended up in a British court. The band also highlighted that while their fans got to enjoy an exhilarating show they should also contemplate about Palestinians being slaughtered in Gaza and the West Bank. Balaclavas on sale online The group too paid a touching tribute to their late lightning designer Conor Biddle, offering sympathy to his family and husband Sean. Kneecap will play Glastonbury on Saturday of next weekend, where they're expected to have one of the biggest crowds of the famous festival given not just the curiosity, they're attracting for being perhaps the most high-profile anti-establishment act at the moment but also because their catchy and thought-provoking music is attracting a growing army of fans.