The Irish hip-hop group Kneecap says it has begun legal motion against Vince Gasparro, the Liberal parliamentary secretary who posted a video on social media announcing an apparent ban on the group entering Canada that their lawyer says caused “substantial” harm.
Lawyer Darragh Mackin told Global News that a defamation case is being pursued in Ireland against Gasparro, who Mackin said was served with a notice of claim over the weekend.
“Our clients have been subject to serious and unfounded assertions by the use of a public video posted on a private social media account which has caused substantial reputational harm,” Mackin said in a press release from Belfast human rights law firm Phoenix Law on Saturday.
“The statements made by Mr. Gasparro were wholly inaccurate and defamatory with none reason or justification. … Kneecap, similar to every private citizen, are entitled to fairness and the protection of their good name and popularity. These proceedings have been initiated to vindicate those rights.”
The legal motion comes days after government documents tabled within the House of Commons revealed the Prime Minister’s Office and the Canada Border Services Agency weren’t “involved” or “consulted” in Gasparro’s announcement — despite Gasparro saying in September the choice was taken “on the recommendation of our officials” and “on behalf of the Government of Canada.”
The federal government’s stated reasons for denying or delaying approval of the band members’ travel permits also appeared to contradict Gasparro’s public statement, by which he accused the group of “advocating for political violence” and “glorifying terrorist organizations.”
The documents said just one band member’s travel permit was cancelled “for omitting to reveal complete and accurate information on his application,” but that the cancellation “doesn’t preclude him from applying again.”
“In September we said you made comments about us that were wholly unfaithful and deeply malicious. You probably did,” Kneecap said in a social media statement Friday. “It now transpires you furthermore mght lied by telling the world you were acting on ‘behalf of the Government of Canada.’ This was one other lie. You weren’t. Your personal government has made this clear.
“Today we’re serving legal motion against you,” the statement continued, adding the band “shall be relentless in defending ourselves against outrageous and baseless accusations.”
Mackin said the band is looking for “immediate correction and clarification” of Gasparro’s comments.
Gasparro’s office has not responded to repeated requests for comment.
Announcement under scrutiny
Gasparro, the parliamentary secretary for combating crime, said in a video posted to X on Sept. 19 that “on behalf of the Government of Canada, I’m announcing that on the recommendation of our officials, now we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country.”
The video stays online.
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In a response tabled last week within the House of Commons to an order paper query by NDP MP Jenny Kwan in regards to the handling of the case, federal officials said they weren’t involved, and it stays unclear which advice from officials Gasparro was citing in his post.
“It’s unprecedented for a government minister without consultation with the prime minister or the respective department to take to matters into their very own hands via their very own social media channel,” Mackin said. “Such clickbait tactics haven’t any place in a contemporary democracy.”
In their very own written response to Kwan’s request for documents, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) was cancelled for inadmissibility in August — a month before Gasparro’s announcement — and that he was notified of the choice.
It made no mention of the since-dropped criminal charge against Óg Ó hAnnaidh within the U.K. that accused him of flying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last yr, which Gasparro specifically cited as a reason for the apparent entry ban.
The department added the eTA applications of Kneecap’s other two members, John James Ó Dochartaigh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin, “are currently under review” and that they were informed in September “to not travel to Canada until receiving further communication” from IRCC.
Kneecap said Friday it’s “working to resolve the ‘compliance issues’ which were communicated” by IRCC, confirming for the primary time since September that it has received notice from the department.
Phoenix Law said it has been “in direct correspondence” with IRCC about each band member’s case.
“We stay up for visiting Canada again in 2026 and playing to sold out shows across your land as now we have done so previously,” the band said, addressing its Canadian fans.
Kneecap had been scheduled to play shows in Toronto and Vancouver in October before the apparent entry ban was announced.
Kwan demands answers from Carney, immigration minister
Kwan, the NDP’s immigration critic, sent letters to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Immigration Minister Lena Diab on Friday demanding answers to questions she said weren’t addressed in the federal government’s written response.
The letter to Carney asks him to direct Diab to make clear the IRCC’s statements in regards to the status of Kneecap’s eTA applications, and the explanations behind cancelling Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s travel permit, as outlined in Kwan’s letter to the minister.
Kwan also asks Carney to make clear “who throughout the Government of Canada advised or authorized MP Gasparro’s public announcement,” confirm what steps the federal government will take to make sure proper communication of immigration decisions and “provide a definitive statement on the admissibility status of Kneecap’s members.”
“Canadians deserve an immigration system that’s transparent, fair, and shielded from political interference,” the letter to Carney says.
“The intense inconsistencies between departmental statements and the general public assertions made by an elected official demand urgent attention. Without clarity, the looks of arbitrary or politicized decision-making will proceed to undermine public trust.”
Conservatives have previously called for a parliamentary investigation into Gasparro’s actions and whether he overstepped his authority in making his announcement.
Kneecap — who’ve been vocal supporters of Palestinians and critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza — has said it doesn’t promote Hamas, Hezbollah or every other terrorist group or advocate for violence against Jewish people.
The band said Friday it intends to donate “every cent” of any financial penalties it might win within the lawsuit against Gasparro to “assist the hundreds of kid amputees in Gaza.”
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