UnBono

Bono has long irritated me. I know he's good in some of the stuff he does: all the drop the debt, AIDS, more development aid campaigns,... I even own a U2 record (although I seem to recall it always gave me a headache). It was after then when he started to come across so smug and irritating, wearing those ridiculous sunglasses like someone's dad dressing up as a rockstar.

Now it's been announced that the band are moving their assets out of Ireland to avoid paying more tax. Isn't this really hypocritical, or am I missing something?

The rock band U2 came under criticism yesterday after reports that it has moved a portion of its multi-million-pound business empire out of Ireland for tax reasons.

The band, fronted by Bono, the anti-poverty campaigner, has reportedly transferred some of its publishing company to Holland.

Based in Dublin, U2 have long benefited from the artists' tax exemption introduced by Charles Haughey, the late prime minister. It is reported that the band's move has been made in response to a £170,000 cap on the tax-free incomes introduced in the last Irish budget.