Singer-songwriter David Keenan has performed a new song, ‘Republic of Muteness’, inspired by last November’s Dublin riots.

In a performance at the James Joyce centre in Dublin, the Dundalk native debuted the song, supported by Conal Duffy on tin whistle and uilleann pipes.

Posting a clip of the song on social media, Keenan explained he wrote the song in the aftermath of the riots, saying “as a certain mood lingers across the land, there’s cause for a song.”

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The Dublin riots followed the Parnell Street attack, in which a 5 year old was stabbed. Far right agitators online used the stabbing to stir up anti-immigration violence, which resulted in assaults on Gardaí and the public, as well as destruction and looting.

9 people were arrested this morning in relation to the riots, bringing the total number of arrests since November to 49.

In a statement, Keenan said the song “explores social discord and a lack of expression that becomes destructive violence and calls on people to harness music / creativity as a unifying thing used as a force for good that opposes discrimination and bigotry.”

Releasing his latest single ‘Radiate a Smile’ in June, Keenan is currently working on his 4th studio album, set to be released this year.

His 2020 debut album, A Beginner’s Guide to Bravery earned him critical acclaim as well as commercial success, reaching #1 in the independent charts.

Watch the full performance here: