Eddie Vedder spoke out in support of assault victim Natasha O’Brien last Saturday (June 22) during a Pearl Jam gig in Dublin.
Halfway through their set at Marlay Park, Vedder acknowledged the recent protests that have taken place in four cities across the Republic of Ireland, after a serving soldier of the Defence Forces was given a suspended sentence for attacking O’Brien.
It was reported that Cathal Crotty punched O’Brien six times after she asked him to stop shouting homophobic abuse. Her injuries included a broken nose, and she joined protestors on Limerick’s Bedford Row to say “I chose to speak up because I couldn’t imagine the impact on other victims.”
WATCH Hundreds turn out to protest in solidarity with assault victim Natasha O’Brien ❤️💔#limerick #limerickcity #lovelimerick #ilovelimerick #limerickandproud #justicefornatasha pic.twitter.com/62iPM0c2HY
— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) June 22, 2024
During Saturday’s performance, Vedder said of the protests: “It’s been brought to the forefront, which is a very positive thing,” adding: “Women’s safety and some equality would be nice too.”
The ‘Even Flow’ singer stood in support of O’Brien, and called on judges to better protect women.
“You know, there was lots of good men walking in the march too,” he told the crowd. “We gotta ask these judges too to protect our sisters, our daughters, our mothers, our wives”
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Before launching into ‘Better Man’, he added: “And it might be a good idea to have some more female judges too.”
You can check out fan-shot footage below, together with the full setlist.
It was so special seeing @PearlJam with my daughter tonight at Marlay Park, Dublin. I adored this band growing up & they really meant so much when I had tough times. Eddie Vedder also made a supportive statement for Natasha O’Brien & all women. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/srAqLJTNRI
— Laura Lynott (@Ly211) June 22, 2024
Eddie Vedder of @PearlJam speaking out in support of assault victim Natasha O’Brien at their concert in Dublin ❤️🙏#justicefornatasha #ilovelimerick #pearljam pic.twitter.com/N4clCIUgz9
— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) June 22, 2024
Pearl Jam setlist
‘Release’
‘Low Light’
‘Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town’
‘Corduroy’
‘Given to Fly’
‘Scared of Fear’
‘Eruption’
‘React, Respond
‘Wreckage’
‘Wishlist’
‘Even Flow’
‘Dark Matter’
‘Daughter’
‘Jeremy’
‘Upper Hand’
‘Better Man’
‘Black’
‘Porch’
Encore
‘Keep Me in Your Heart’
‘Not for You’
‘Why Go’
‘Do the Evolution’
‘Setting Sun’
‘Alive’
‘Rockin’ in the Free World’
Elsewhere, Pearl Jam shared a touching tribute to late NBA legend Bill Walton, who died earlier this week, with Vedder saying: “Goddamnit Bill, we miss you already. I just want to state our love for you in public. Thanks for all of the good energy. Wish us luck down here. I know you’re fine.”
The band also covered Nine Inch Nails‘ ‘Hurt’ while performing in Seattle.