Kneecap’s charity run cheered on by Irish president

Moglai Bap of the hip hop trio Kneecap took part in a charity run through Dublin, along with more than 200 runners, with the Irish president cheering them on.

The 10km (6.2 miles) event was organised by the Belfast rap group to raise funds for the Gaza Food and Play project, which provides emergency food, water and crucial psychosocial support for children in Gaza.

Many of the runners carried Palestinian flags, wore Bohs jerseys, and chanted “Free Palestine” along the route.

As the group approached the presidential residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, they paused near a gap in the surrounding hedge to cheer and clap for president Catherine Connolly as she offered words of encouragement.

Addressing Moglai Bap, whose real name is Naoise Ó Cairealláin, in Irish, Ms Connolly told him to keep going.

The runners briefly stopped to snap selfies across the boundary separating the public park from the presidential grounds, with some calling out encouragement like “good on you” and “fair play.”

Climate activist Greta Thunberg also took part in the event.

The charity run took place as Kneecap got ready to play the second night of their two sold-out shows at Dublin’s 3Arena on Wednesday.

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Kneecap have attracted controversy for their provocative lyrics and outspoken political views.

Their explicit style and vocal support for Palestine have divided opinion, with supporters praising their defiance and critics accusing them of courting controversy.

Last year, Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK government after then business secretary Kemi Badenoch attempted to block the band from receiving a £14,250 funding award.