Bob Vylan Issues Defamation Proceedings Against RTÉ Following Its Reporting of their Glastonbury Performance

9^th December 2025 – For Immediate Release

Phoenix Law Solicitors confirm that we act on behalf of punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, who have today lodged defamation proceedings in Dublin against RTÉ.

The proceedings arise from a broadcast aired by RTÉ News following Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury Festival on 28 June 2025. During this broadcast, comments were made alleging that the lead singer of Bob Vylan led antisemitic chants. These allegations are categorically denied by our clients and are entirely untrue.

At their Glastonbury performance, Bob Vylan made statements expressing support for Palestinian self-determination and criticising military actions by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). At no point did their comments target Jewish people or express hatred towards any group. In fact, our client has stated: “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people.” The comments made were politically charged but not antisemitic in nature.

Despite requests for a retraction and apology, RTÉ has failed to address the harm caused. As a result, High Court proceedings have now been issued to seek redress for the significant reputational and emotional damage suffered by our clients. The broadcast was widely disseminated to a national and online audience, aggravating the impact on Bob Vylan’s reputation and professional standing.

Our Darragh Mackin & Megan Burns act.

Darragh Mackin, Solicitor at Phoenix Law said:

“Our clients are no stranger to utilising their freedom of expression to speak out against the genocide in Gaza.  There is however a fundamental distinction between speaking critically about the role of the Israeli state forces, and being antisemitic.  The former is speech within the confines of political expression, whereas the latter is a form of hatred directed towards Jewish people.  

At no stage have our clients ever engaged in conduct that is remotely antisemitic and to that end, have had no option but to seek the formal correction of same via the remedies available within this litigation.”

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For all enquries, please contact our Mr Darragh Mackin on darragh@phoenix-law.org or +447704034143.