Northern Ireland

Jon Bon Jovi gives Orangemen a bad name

Jon Bon Jovi claimed Bono had Orangemen 'walking through his neighbourhood'. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
Jon Bon Jovi claimed Bono had Orangemen 'walking through his neighbourhood'. Picture by Cliff Donaldson Jon Bon Jovi claimed Bono had Orangemen 'walking through his neighbourhood'. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

ROCK singer Jon Bon Jovi has caused a Twitter storm with claims that Bono had 'Orangemen going through his neighbourhood' and lived in fear of being beaten up in sectarian attacks.

The claims are made during a one-hour interview on Armchair Podcast, hosted by California-based Dax Shepard.

U2 frontman Bono – real name Paul Hewson – was raised on Dublin's Northside in the suburb of Finglas. His mother was Church of Ireland and his father a Catholic.

The young Bono, now 60, was educated at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, which operates under the patronage of the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin.

While the Orange Order marched in Dublin in 2006, an event that was accompanied by serious rioting, the loyal order had previously not been seen parading in the capital since 1937.

Jon Bon Jovi (58), whose band name was adopted in 1990s Belfast as rhyming slang for 'Provie', made his unsubstantiated claim as he spoke in the podcast about music and politics.

"So Bono's probably right at my age – he's a couple of months older I think," said the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter.

"His upbringing was obviously very different from mine – I never had Orangemen going through my neighbourhood and saying 'Get the Catholic kid and beat him up'."

Listen: Armchair Expert podcast

The Bon Jovi frontman said that he "didn't experience that kind of turmoil in suburban New Jersey".

However fans took to Twitter to point out some errors in Bon Jovi's assessment.

Among the many comments one user sarcastically replied: "That definitely happened to Bono. What with him living in Finglas. And being raised Church Of Ireland."

Another said: "JBJ knows more about Ireland than more British MPs" while another Twitter user urged Jon Bon Jovi to fact check his comments.

"I don’t think #Bono experienced that. Perhaps #BonJovi should have asked him about it, first?," he said.

Bono was raised on Dublin's Northside and was the product of a mixed marriage. Picture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/PA Wire
Bono was raised on Dublin's Northside and was the product of a mixed marriage. Picture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/PA Wire Bono was raised on Dublin's Northside and was the product of a mixed marriage. Picture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/PA Wire