The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation into the Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap, following the emergence of videos from their concerts that allegedly contain inflammatory statements. The footage, believed to be from performances in London in November 2023 and November 2024, reportedly shows members of the group making remarks about Members of Parliament and expressing support for organizations designated as terrorist groups in the UK.

One of the videos from November 2023 appears to feature a member of Kneecap stating, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Another clip from a November 2024 concert allegedly shows the group shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' both of which are banned under UK terrorism laws. The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit assessed the videos and found sufficient grounds for a deeper investigation into potential offenses.

Kneecap has responded to the allegations by issuing an apology to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox, stating they never intended to cause hurt or incite violence. The group has also denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, claiming the footage has been 'exploited and weaponised' against them. Their manager has suggested that the band is being unfairly targeted by a coordinated campaign.

The investigation underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in monitoring and addressing potentially extremist content in the arts and entertainment sectors. As the inquiry continues, the case has sparked a broader debate about the boundaries of free expression and the responsibilities of performers in avoiding language that could be construed as incitement to violence.

Police in Newry are investigating a violent altercation that occurred outside the Buttercrane Shopping Centre on Francis Street on Saturday evening. The incident, which involved a group of young males, took place at approximately 5:40 pm on October 18, prompting emergency services to respond to the scene.

Three teenagers were arrested in connection with the disturbance, including two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old. Law enforcement officials confirmed the arrests were made on suspicion of multiple offenses, including attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Two of the detained males, aged 16 and 17, have been released on bail pending further police inquiries, while the other 17-year-old was released unconditionally. The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation that began at the shopping center and continued onto the adjacent street.

Authorities are particularly concerned about a male youth believed to have been assaulted during the incident who left the scene before officers arrived. Inspector Ritchie stated that police have concerns for the individual's wellbeing and are urging him to come forward. Witnesses or anyone with dash-cam or CCTV footage are asked to contact Ardmore police station quoting reference number 1120 of 18/10/25.