Damien Dempsey, Kíla and more to play 'Sallins Inquiry Now!' benefit show in Vicar Street

Marking the 50th anniversary of infamous Sallins mail train robbery case, and the miscarriages of justice that followed, a 'Sallins Inquiry Now!' benefit gig has been announced for Dublin's Vicar Street. Taking place on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the evening will feature performances from some of Ireland's leading musicians, poets and writers –  including Damien Dempsey, Kíla, John Spillane, Pauline Scanlon, Theo Dorgan, Paula Meehan and Colm Mac Con Iomaire.

The benefit show will also feature appearances from journalists Gene Kerrigan, Peter Murtagh, Justine McCarthy and Patsy McGarry, as well as Osgur Breatnach and Nicky Kelly – the men who, alongside Brian McNally, were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for the Sallins train robbery. The three men were all later acquitted or pardoned. In 1980, the Provisional IRA claimed responsibility for the robbery.

There has been an ongoing campaign calling for an independent public inquiry into the case.

"Despite overwhelming evidence of brutality and injustice, the State has never issued an apology, never held an inquiry, and never explained how three men were imprisoned on coerced statements alone," the upcoming event's descriptions reads. "Their story is Ireland’s own Birmingham Six — but unlike the UK, we have yet to face it."

Tickets are available now here.

 

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