Sinn Féin has accused Independent Ireland of attempting to censor Bob Vylan after one of its councillors initiated legal proceedings aimed at halting a gig by the punk-rap duo in Dublin.
The pro-Palestine band has announced a headline show at Vicar Street on 26 November as part of their 'We Won't Go Quietly' tour.
The outspoken UK band sparked controversy in the wake of a performance at Glastonbury over the summer, where they led chants of "death, death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Forces and the war in Gaza.
She told Dublin District Court that she was taking the action on behalf of her Independent Ireland colleague TD Ken O’Flynn, and that it was due to serious concerns regarding the scheduled performance at the venue.
The move has sparked a row within the Oireachtas, with Sinn Féin's Spokesperson for Arts and Culture Aengus Ó Snodaigh saying Independent Ireland appeared "to be jumping on the bandwagon of trying to shut up artists who speak truth to power".
The TD for Dublin South Central said: "This summer at Glastonbury, musical group Bob Vylan gave full-throated voice to the cause of ending Israel’s well-documented genocide in Palestine. And the Irish people overwhelmingly agree with them.
"Sinn Féin stands steadfast in support of freedom of expression, and in defence of cultural spaces which are vital to artists, audiences, and employment in the community," he added.
Sinn Féin TD Máire Devine also criticised the move, describing Cllr de Courcy's objection as "petty".
She said: "Absolutely no prior behaviour by members of Bob Vylan indicates possible 'incitement’ or ‘risk to public order’.
"Hypocritically, Independent Ireland’s own website proclaims its ‘commitment to protecting free speech, even for opinions the party does not agree with’.
"Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I fully support Vicar Street’s licence and Bob Vylan’s upcoming sold-out performance. We encourage Cllr de Courcy to withdraw her petty objection and simply change her radio station."
The move by Cllr de Courcy also caused a stir within her own party, with Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins also criticising the legal proceedings.
He said that while he had no problem with her objection to the band, he did have a problem with the move objecting to the venue’s licence.
Speaking outside Leinster House, he said: "I am not happy, and Independent Ireland are not happy. It cannot be done in our name.
"The bottom line is she had an objection against the musician playing, I have no issue with that. But an objection against a license of a business is something I do object to.
"To object where there could be up to 100 people who may lose their livelihoods, I certainly object to that. I will not agree to that.
"I'm fighting every day of the week to help businesses to survive and for that to be done, it will not be done in Independent Ireland’s name, and I will be speaking to her to make sure she understands that because I am not at all happy."
Mr O’Flynn also distanced himself from the proceedings, but said he had contacted Vicar Street with concerns about protocols around the concert.
He also criticised comments made by Bob Vylan about the death of US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, which led to a concert in the Netherlands being cancelled earlier this month.
Mr O'Flynn told reporters: "I think my name was used in the proceedings, but it wasn't myself or the party.
"It was a party member, a party councillor. Linda de Courcy is an absolutely magnificent councillor and very, very proud of her.
"I think the concerns that came to me from the general public, and the concerns that came to Linda, were about protocols around the event.
"The questions that I sent in the letter, initially, which hasn't been replied to by the administration of Vicar Street as of yet, about ten days ago, was outlining my concerns - is there a garda report? Is there procedure?
"Being honest with you, I don't really care for this type of man's rhetoric, the chanting of death chants, a day after a man is slain very publicly, with two young children and a young wife."
Mr O'Flynn said a plan needed to be put in place at Vicar Street in case there were protests.
"Certainly it's not our intention to close anybody down, I believe everybody should have the right to free speech," he added.
