Darragh Mackin

Lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster, known as Bobby Vylan, was accused in an RTÉ News broadcast of leading antisemitic chants at the festival, which he denies.

Lawyers for the duo say their performance, which drew attention to Israel’s conduct in Gaza, was “politically charged but not antisemitic in nature”.

The decision to issue High Court proceedings follows requests for a retraction and an apology from RTÉ.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin 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.”