Former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan says he will hand back his Eurovision trophy from 1994, in protest of Israel\u2019s ongoing participation in the song contest.<\/p>\n
The Ballyshannon native won the competition along with Paul Harrington, singing Rock n\u2019 Roll Kids.<\/p>\n
He made the decision after the 2024 winner, Nemo, decided they would return their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union in a similar protest.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s ongoing genocide in Gaza has seen several countries, including Ireland, to decide to pull out from the next edition of the competition as a result.<\/p>\n
In a video posted by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign on social media, Charlie announced his reasoning for handing back his winner\u2019s trophy \u2013 once he finds it.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night just before I went to sleep, I received an Instagram message from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest winner, someone called Nemo,\u201d Charlie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were saying that in protest against the inclusion of Israel in the 2026 contest, they returned their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came across as a very sincere and a very intelligent person, and stated their case really well. I therefore, in support of Nemo, would like to return my trophy to the EBU as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately our win was way back in 1994 and I can\u2019t get my hands on whatever trophy we received back then, but if I do find it, I will return my trophy as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan to hand back trophy in Israel protest was last modified: December 13th, 2025 by Daniel Brennan<\/p>\n
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