Christy Dignam's daughter says dad didn't speak to Aslan bandmates before death

Late Aslan star Christy Dignam's daughter Kiera Dignam has released a statement condemning online abuse she says she has received after it was confirmed the surviving members of Aslan would not be part of a celebration concert for their former frontman next year.

Christy Dignam: A Celebration, organised by his family, will be held at Vicar Street on Friday, May 3, 2024 and will feature a variety of top Irish artists performing songs Christy sang throughout his career, up to his final album, including Crazy World.

Aslan released a statement on Friday to say they would not be performing at the show but did not give a specific reason.

The band added that while they could never replace Christy, they will be announced a new singer soon and continue to perform as Aslan in the future.

Now, Christy's daughter Kiera has moved to clarify the situation and stress that the remaining members of the band were not prevented from taking part because she wasn't going to be chosen as Aslan's new singer. She also admitted her Dad and the surviving members of the band hadn't spoken to one another in the final months of his life.

She said: "As you may have seen, my family and I have been putting together a gig in celebration of my Dad. We plan to have performances of his music from his solo album, his work with Aslan, Dignam and Goff and music he loved. This has received amazing support and a generally positive reception but has also drawn some negativity and speculation around why Aslan will not be part of this gig.

"I would like to address people’s questions, but I also want to address the abuse I’ve received, and the disgusting lies that have been written online in the past few days about me and the situation at hand. What I’ve been put through the last couple of days is nothing short of disgraceful, unwarranted and has almost pushed me to the edge.

"Firstly, Joe, Alan and Billy have announced that they will continue playing as Aslan which we fully support. The lads are musicians and music is their livelihood. They have to continue to work, and I fully support them going forward. The music is theirs as much as my Dad’s so they have every right to continue.

"Some ridiculous comments have speculated that the reason Aslan were not invited was because I was not allowed to front Aslan. I have had my own band and my own music for years now and I have never had any desire to be a part of Aslan.

"My dad didn’t speak to the other members of Aslan for the last seven months of his life and there are a number of reasons why the band will not have a part to play in this concert, reasons which they are aware of. Although I feel that it is necessary for me to address this due to the needless bullying I've endured, I do not feel that it is right to air dirty laundry publicly and I will not go into detail about these reasons.

"So, in response to those who have felt it necessary to hurl abuse in my direction and claim that I should 'think of what Christy would want' I can assure you all that Aslan having any involvement with this gig is not what he would have wanted. I would ask of you all to please reserve judgement when you have no idea what happened.

"I shouldn’t have to write something like this, but my character has been called into question and I have received unbelievable amounts of abuse. When people sit back and allow their family members and groups of fans to use their platform to abuse me, a platform which my dad has helped build, it is only fair that I defend myself.

"I will not be speaking any more about this, it’s done. I must look after myself, my kids and my family. For all who support us, thank you," Kiera concluded.

Tickets for Christy Dignam: A Celebration went on sale on Monday.