Ireland’s Health Minister Sues Van Morrison Over Covid-19 Criticisms

It Might Go To Court In Early 2022

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has sued Van Morrison for defamation over the rocker’s “bizarre and irresponsible” public Covid-19 chant.

It has been a year since Morrison used his music to protest against the government’s anti-lockdown restrictions. He previously believed Swan’s handling of the restrictions was “very dangerous.” He released anti-lockdown songs and called social distancing “pseudo-science”.

“Proceedings have been issued and are ongoing against Van Morrison,” Swann’s lawyer, Paul Tweed, told the Belfast Telegraph’s Sunday Life. “We are aiming for a trial in February.”

Morrison’s lawyer, Joe Rice, told the Associated Press they they plan to argue “that the words used by him related to a matter of public interest and constituted fair comment.”

Swann and Morrison have been clashing for months. But it all came to a head in June when Morrison’s event at Europa Hotel in Belfast was suddenly canceled because of Covid-19 restrictions.

“Robin Swann has all the power,” the singer told the crowd. “So I say Robin Swann is very dangerous.” Morrison proceeded to lead the group of 140 people in a “Robin Swann is very dangerous” chant.

Swann hit back at Morrison with an op-ed on Rolling Stone magazine.

“His words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists,” he wrote. “The tinfoil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines and think this is all a huge global plot to remove freedoms.”