The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have stated that they were not involved in the announcement regarding the denial of entry to Irish language band Kneecap into the country.
In September, a Canadian Member of Parliament declared the ban “on behalf” of the government, citing terror offence charges previously leveled against a member of the group.
However, in response to inquiries submitted to the Canadian House of Commons concerning the handling of this case, federal officials have indicated that they were not consulted regarding the aforementioned announcement.
Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has since had a terrorism-related charge dismissed due to a technical error in the manner in which the charge was brought against him.
When announcing the ban on September 19, Canadian Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime Vince Gasparro cited terror offence charges brought against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh in the UK in May.
It was alleged that Óg Ó hAnnaidh had displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group considered a terrorist organization by the UK, at a London performance the previous year.
However, the case against the 28-year-old was dismissed on September 26 following a technical error in the way the charge was brought.
Gasparro stated in a video posted on X that the group had “amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas”.
He continued, “These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique.”
“They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate.”
He added that “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 group responded to Gasparro’s statements in a post on X, asserting that his claims are “wholly untrue and deeply malicious”.
“We have today instructed our lawyers to initiate legal action against you,” the group stated at the time.
On Monday, new documents surfaced in response to a query from New Democratic Party MP Jenny Kwan, with the Prime Minister’s Office affirming that they were “not involved in the decision” for Gasparro to make the announcement.
The CSBA likewise confirmed that it was not “implicated in the authorisation of the announcement”, nor did it “provide advice” or was it “consulted” on the announcement.
In essence, the band is currently barred from entering Canada, although seemingly not for the reasons cited by Gasparro in September.
In response to a query, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration indicated the existence of compliance issues pertaining to Ó hAnnaidh’s application.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that in August 2025, Ó hAnnaidh’s “electronic travel authorization was cancelled for inadmissibility for omitting to disclose complete and accurate information on his application”.
“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,” the IRCC added.
“Inadmissibility for non-compliance generally ends once a client is no longer in a state of non-compliance.”
Applications for Kneecap’s other members, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, are “currently under review”.
“In September 2025, they were informed not to travel to Canada until receiving further communication from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.”
Kneecap have been approached for comment.
Kneecap is an Irish-speaking rap trio known for their controversial lyrics and merchandise.
The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who perform under the stage names Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí.
Their rise to prominence inspired a semi-fictionalized film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.
The film received a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
In April, the group garnered criticism after displaying messages regarding the war in Gaza during their performance at the US music festival Coachella.
In November 2024, the group prevailed in their legal case against the UK government over a decision made by Kemi Badenoch, in her capacity as a minister, to withdraw an arts grant.
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