The controversy surrounding the Irish rap trio Kneecap and their recent ban from entering Canada has ignited a firestorm of debate, confusion, and political finger-pointing. In a saga that has played out across both sides of the Atlantic, questions linger: Who made the decision to bar the group, and was it justified? The answers, it seems, are as complex as the band’s own provocative lyrics.
On September 19, 2025, Canadian Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime Vince Gasparro made headlines by announcing that Kneecap was officially banned from entering Canada. According to BBC News, Gasparro cited terror offence charges against band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh—better known to fans as Mo Chara—stating that the group had “amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.” In a video statement posted to X, Gasparro declared, “These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique. They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate.” He continued, “On behalf of the government of Canada I am announcing that on the advice of our officials, we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country.”
The announcement sent shockwaves through the music world and the Irish diaspora, particularly as Kneecap was slated to perform in Toronto and Vancouver the following month. The group, known for their Irish-language rap and unflinching political commentary, responded with characteristic defiance. In a post on X, they called Gasparro’s statements “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” and announced their intention to pursue legal action. “We have today instructed our lawyers to initiate legal action against you,” the trio wrote. They later added, “We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to a genocide being committed by Israel. When we beat you in court, which we will, we will donate every cent to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza.”
The roots of the ban trace back to an incident in November 2024, when Ó hAnnaidh was charged in the UK with a terrorism offence after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a London gig. The UK considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, and the charge prompted widespread media attention. Yet, on September 26, 2025, just days after the Canadian ban was announced, the case against Ó hAnnaidh was thrown out due to a technical error in the way the charge was brought. The Crown Prosecution Service quickly confirmed its intention to appeal the dismissal, but for the moment, the legal cloud appeared to lift from the rapper’s head.
Despite the dismissal, the ban on Kneecap’s entry to Canada remained in place. The story took another twist on November 24, 2025, when new documents tabled in the Canadian House of Commons revealed that neither the office of Prime Minister Mark Carney nor the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) had been involved or consulted in Gasparro’s announcement. According to the BBC, the Prime Minister’s Office stated it was “not involved in the decision” for Gasparro to make the announcement, while the CBSA confirmed it was not “implicated in the authorisation of the announcement,” did not “provide advice,” and was not “consulted.”
So, why are Kneecap still not allowed into Canada? It turns out the answer is less dramatic than the headlines might suggest. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarified that in August 2025, Ó hAnnaidh’s electronic travel authorization was cancelled due to “inadmissibility for omitting to disclose complete and accurate information on his application.” The IRCC explained, “The applicant was notified of the reasons for this decision. He remains eligible to submit a new application, which will be assessed on its own merits. Inadmissibility for non-compliance generally ends once a client is no longer in a state of non-compliance.”
As for Kneecap’s other members, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, their applications to enter Canada are “currently under review.” The IRCC stated that in September 2025, they were told not to travel to Canada until further communication from immigration authorities. The band’s planned Canadian shows were thus cancelled, disappointing fans and fueling further speculation about the real reasons behind the ban.
This wasn’t the first time Kneecap found themselves at the center of political controversy. The trio—formed in 2017 and known for their incendiary lyrics and unapologetic political stance—had previously faced backlash for displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at the Coachella festival in April 2025. In November 2024, they won a legal battle against the UK government after then-minister Kemi Badenoch withdrew an arts grant. Their rise to prominence even inspired a semi-fictionalized film starring Michael Fassbender, which won a British Academy of Film Award (BAFTA) in February 2025.
Supporters of the ban, including some Canadian Jewish organizations, had reportedly been lobbying the government to deny Kneecap entry since June 2025. According to NME, these groups argued that the band’s statements ran “contrary to Canadian values” and “caused deep alarm.” Meanwhile, Kneecap has consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah and insists they do not incite or condone violence. “We have played in Canada many times with zero issues and a message of solidarity and love,” the group wrote to their Canadian fans. “We are sorry we cannot be with you next month but we will not be silenced and will always oppose genocide. Use your voices in Canada – stand up and speak out.”
The legal wrangling hasn’t slowed the group’s momentum. As reported by NME, Kneecap is currently on a UK tour, with their biggest headline show yet announced for London’s Crystal Palace Park next summer. They’ve also secured slots at major festivals like Primavera Sound Barcelona, Primavera Sound Porto, and Boomtown. Their latest single, ‘No Comment’ featuring Sub Focus, tackles the theme of harassment by the British State—yet another example of the band’s willingness to confront controversial issues head-on.
For now, the path forward remains uncertain. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration has made it clear that Ó hAnnaidh can reapply for entry, and the review process continues for the other members. The legal appeals in the UK are also ongoing, with both sides digging in for what could be a protracted battle.
In the end, the Kneecap saga is a vivid illustration of how art, politics, and bureaucracy can collide in unexpected ways. The group’s defiant stance, the government’s shifting explanations, and the passionate reactions from fans and critics alike ensure that this story is far from over.
