Reactions pour in as UK government warns Sally Rooney could face arrest under Terrorism Act
The UK government has warned that Sally Rooney could face arrest under the UK Terrorism Act after she pledged to use proceeds from her work to support Palestine Action.
In a piece published in the Irish Times on Saturday, the Normal People and Intermezzo author said she will continue to support Palestine Action 'in whatever way I can,' including residuals from BBC adaptations of her books.
'If this makes me a 'supporter of terror' under UK law, so be it,' Rooney wrote.
'I intend to use these proceeds of my work, as well as my public platform generally, to go on supporting Palestine Action… If the British state considers this 'terrorism', then perhaps it should investigate the shady organisations that continue to promote my work and fund my activities, such as WH Smith and the BBC.'
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July. Proscription made showing support for the direct action network a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Following Rooney's remarks, a spokesperson of the British Prime Minister warned that financially supporting Palestine Action is an offence under the Terrorism Act.
'There is a difference between showing support for a proscribed organisation, which is an offence under the Terrorism Act, and legitimate protest in support of a cause,' said the spokesperson without directly mentioning Rooney.
'Support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act and obviously the police will…implement the law.'
Lawyer and writer Sadakat Kadri confirmed to The Guardian that Rooney is at risk of being charged with terrorism if she uses proceeds received in the UK to fund a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
'Receiving money with the intention of using it to support terrorism is an offence under section 15 of the 2000 act,' Kadri said, adding, 'That means Rooney could be arrested without a warrant as a 'terrorist.''
When asked if Roney could face legal repercussions for public appearances in the UK, Kadri said 'there's certainly a risk she'd fall foul' of the law, and that if she were to express views 'in terms of condemning the war crimes being committed in Gaza' then 'an arguable case for prosecution could be made out.'
British pro-Israel organisation Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) announced on X yesterday that it reported Rooney to the UK Counter Terrorism Police.
However, some social media users questioned the validity of the legal threats.
While she could have been investigated by Counter Terrorism Police in the UK if she had made her statements there, her comments were written and published in Ireland. Rooney is also a citizen of Ireland, not the UK, and Palestine Action has not been proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Ireland.
One social media user expressed shock at the prospect of UK police arresting the Irish author, writing on X, 'Remind me how well it went the last time the British imposed their laws on the Irish in terms of stopping political violence?'
BREAKING: Downing Street has warned Sally Rooney risks committing a terrorist offence if she funds Palestine Action
It comes after the author said she would continue to support the group financially pic.twitter.com/507p3wTu3Z
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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
'The British state is on edge': Kneecap's second day in court sees police action and legal wrangling
Rónán Duffy Reports from Westminster Magistrates' Court IF MO CHARA'S last appearance before a British court was marked by a party-like atmosphere today's was a more serious affair, if still just as loud. This vibe shift was clear both inside and outside the courtroom with Met Police confirming that a man was arrested outside on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. Protests outside ahead of Mo Chara's court appearance. Rónán Duffy / The Journal Rónán Duffy / The Journal / The Journal The newly proscribed organisation has become a lightning rod for the debate around pro-Palestine activism in the UK, with hundreds arrested since it became listed as a terror organisation on 5 July, putting it on a par with organisations like Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Police had signalled that a tougher approach was being used for this court appearance last night when they said that Public Order Act conditions were being put in place. In reality that meant that protesters were confined to a particular section of the thoroughfare, and operationally it meant that there were many more police present. Numerous Kneecap balaclavas were on display among the protesters. Rónán Duffy / The Journal Rónán Duffy / The Journal / The Journal It didn't stop hundreds turning out to chant 'Free Mo Chara', blare music, hold placards and hand out flyers for the next protest. Unlike the last time though, police were quicker to intervene to direct people where to go and the entire event wound down more quickly once Mo Chara had finished in court. Mo Chara spoke when he left the court building, as did bandmate Móglaí Bap, but their speeches were shorter and contained none of the bombast heard in June about Glastonbury gigs to come. Mo Chara speaks to the crowd outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Instead there was almost a sense of frustration that the same slogans were being repeated when the situation in Gaza has become so much worse. 'Obviously it's great to see the support out here. Obviously we know that the story is more than just about me, more than about Kneecap,' Mo Chara told the crowd. This is a story about Palestine and us as a distraction from the real story. We know unfortunately this story will end up in the media today while Israel commits genocide at the same time. 'So everybody continue to speak about Palestine, Free Palestine, thank you for coming and tiocfaidh ár lá.' Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was speaking after a three-hour court hearing that was heavy with legal argument that will determine if he has to face a full trial for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. There was no ruling today but Judge Paul Goldspring has set 26 September as the date on which he'll deliver his ruling on that question. Brenda Campbell KC, for Ó hAnnaidh, and prosecutor Michael Bisgrove both made their cases citing case law about when exactly a charge against a person is legally recognised for the purposes of determining if it is inside or outside the time limit. The dense legalese caused some in the packed public gallery to leave before it was finished but Ó hAnnaidh was engaged throughout and was frequently seen looking through documentation with the Irish language interpreter he was provided with. The other members of Kneecap and their manager Daniel Lambert were also seated in court. Unlike the previous occasion when they giggled in the public gallery about whether Kneecap's DJ Provaí could be an interpreter, there were no light-hearted moments here. Advertisement If there was any such merriment in advance, it was quickly dampened by the legal arguments anyway. Time limit The date of the alleged offence is 21 November 2024 and the six-month limit for prosecuting therefore runs until 21 May 2025. Campbell told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21. She said consent was given the following day, but that meant the charge falls outside of the six-month time frame in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought. Ó hAnnaidh was not arrested before being charged and was instead charged by way of a postal requisition. This method means that an individual is informed of a charge they face by post and Campbell argued that the timing of the requisition has a bearing on when proceedings are instituted. Police closed off Marylebone Road for a period today due to the scale of the protest. Rónán Duffy / TheJournal Rónán Duffy / TheJournal / TheJournal Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove argued in court that the charge was issued by police on the day of the deadline, 21 May. He said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance and that permission did not need to be sought in order to bring a criminal charge. The judge asked various questions of both lawyers during their submissions but more questions were asked of Campbell. Ending today's proceedings, the judge noted that everyone was keen on a 'speedy resolution' to the legal questions but he asked that people grant him some time to make a decision. He therefore set 26 September as the date on which he would issue a ruling, stressing in case anyone was confused that this was his decision on the time-limit question alone and not on the merits of the case. Cat handing out UK communist newspaper Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! The Journal The Journal Back outside, the protesters waited for Mo Chara's appearance. Among them were some of the same faces present back in June. London student Sarah Cotte ,who is originally from France, is herself facing two charges similar to Mo Chara for allegedly of expressing support for Hamas in a speech at a London university. Speaking on stage to the crowd she said that terror legislation in the UK is primarily used against immigrant communities. Speaking afterwards to The Journal , Cotte said that terror label is so politically charged that it restricts debate. 'The reality is that it's people's rights of free speech, people's right to protest which are being restricted, which are being infringed upon,' she said. And if we can't get past the terrorism label, then I'm not sure what else, you know, there is for us to do. The reality is that that label is so politically charged and so racially charged as well. 'Terrorism legislation has always been used, since its first inception, to terrorise communities fighting back against British imperialism, whether that be the Irish, whether that be immigrant communities, whether that be people standing up for Palestinian liberation. So it's never been about keeping us safe. It's always been about keeping those in power safe.' Cotte's case is back in court for a hearing in the Old Bailey on 24 October and she urged supporters to join a protest on that date. Related Reads Police corral hundreds of protesters as Kneecap's Mo Chara returns to court to face UK terror charge Opinion: The British political class has it in for Kneecap - they just don't get it Kneecap: What's the terror charge 'Mo Chara' is facing, what's the defence and the sentence? Others who made a return trip to London today to support Mo Chara included Northern Ireland-based Irish-language coalition An Dream Dearg. Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin of the group pointed to the 'hypocrisy' of Mo Chara facing charges as people openly support proscribed organisations in Northern Ireland. 'There's stark hypocrisy in terms of how that's being conducted, because we're from a part of this jurisdiction, if you like, within the UK, where people regularly wear t-shirts, wave flags, carry the emblems or prescribed organisations, many times this is facilitated by this by the State in the form of marches, through certain areas,' he told The Journal . Mac Giolla Bhéin also referred to the arrest that took place today of the protester for allegedly supporting Palestine Action. 'It's authoritarianism and it's important for everyone, whether or not you agree with the stance on Palestine Action, that anyone who believes in living in a free and democratic society, must challenge it and to call it out.' Another protester who commented on the increased police presence was Cat from Communist newspaper Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!. 'I think the clear popularity of what Kneecap is saying and linking really strongly to the historic struggle in Ireland against British colonisation and the occupation in Palestine has put the British state on edge,' she said. 'They're able to speak the truth very clearly about this continued pattern of Britain supporting occupation, repression and genocide. And I think it puts a British state on edge and I expect that's why there are more police now. Cat added that she felt there is now a 'groundswell of support against British collusion with genocide' and what she said is the use of the Terrorism Act against non-violent organisations. Connolly's book store in Dublin Gráinne Ferris and Rache Gerrard at the protest in Dublin today, Andrew Walsh / TheJournal Andrew Walsh / TheJournal / TheJournal In Dublin, around 200 people also gathered at Connolly Books in Temple Bar this afternoon for a 'Solidarity Seisiún' for Mo Chara, with musicians including Irish-Palestinian singer Róisín El Cherif performing. Outside, protesters voiced their support for Mo Chara in his ongoing court case. Protestors Gráinne Ferris and Rachel Gerrard spoke highly of Kneecap, as well as other Irish acts that have been vocally supportive of Palestine. 'At the moment, [Mo Chara] is speaking loud and clear, supporting Palestine, as well as the likes of Hozier and Christie Moore,' Ferris said. It's vital, because they have huge international fan bases, and hopefully they'll continue to do so in the face of a genocide. Outside the bookshop, Scotland native Angela Doyle handed out mock postcards in support of Palestine Action. She likened Ó hAnnaidh's case to the ongoing crackdown on UK protests in support of Palestine Action . 'We know that laws like this spread – we just wanted to do something small to make a difference,' Doyle said. - With reporting by Andrew Walsh in Dublin Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
'Over the top' police precautions as protestors gather to support Kneecap's Liam Óg
A feeling that British authorities are policing pro-Palestine protests more strictly than others had been fomenting amongst some Irish in London before Wednesday's protest in support of Kneecap. Hundreds gathered to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara with rap trio Kneecap, as he entered Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on terrorism charges. Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London. His case was adjourned until September 26. The Metropolitan Police imposed restrictions on where the demonstration outside the court could take place to 'prevent serious disruption'. Kneecap criticised the police restrictions as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'. Filmmaker Sonya O'Donoghue, originally from Clare but living in London, said restrictions on Kneecap's supporters seemed particularly restrictive. The police had cordoned off an area for people supporting Kneecap to protest today at his court appearance. And it felt a bit over the top, as if it was going to be very aggressive. 'But from what I've seen there was a lot of singing, it was very pro-Palestinian freedom, there were a lot of Irish flags, but I haven't seen aggression." Ms O'Donoghue commended the bravery of people such as Kneecap in speaking out against the war in Gaza. 'They're articulate young men and they have a lot to lose by speaking out. They've had gigs cancelled, they're being targeted, but they're putting their neck out.' Ms O'Donoghue attends the monthly protests in London for Palestine. The British government's proscribing of protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in June, with the same status as ISIS or al-Quaeda, has shocked not just regular protestors, but many across Britain, she said. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made the announcement after Palestine Action activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, spraying planes with red paint and damaging them with crowbars, allegedly causing some £7m in damage. Hundreds of people have been arrested since for showing support for the group. Author Sally Rooney has recently pledged to support Palestine Action. The Mayo-born author of novels including Normal People wrote in the Irish Times that she now intends to use proceeds from her work to support Palestine Action. One of the 532 people arrested at a Palestine rally in London this month was arrested for wearing a t-shirt saying 'Plasticine Action' with a similar logo to the 'Palestine Action' group's. Engineer Miles Pickering told The Guardian that it was designed to be an easy mistake to make, appearing to look like the logo of Palestine Action. But text underneath the logo reads: 'We oppose AI-generated animation". Inside the letter 'o' was an image of the stop-motion character Morph giving two thumbs up. Sales of the t-shirt have rocketed since. Mr Pickering added: It's like we are just going to mock you for your ridiculous decision to proscribe a protest group. It's just so important that our rights to protest do not get diminished. The mass arrests at the August protest in London has prompted a sea change in public opinion across Britain, Ms O'Donoghue said. 'That was incredibly over-the-top. So many people arrested for peaceful protest. I think the mass arrests have touched everybody. 'There's a feeling that police are being extra-tough on any pro-Palestinian protests here. It feels very autocratic." Carla McGlynn, an Irish actor living in London, said that she would have been at today's protest in support of Mo Chara but she is currently home in Ireland. UK authorities have been 'really restrictive' in where people can protest for Palestine, Ms McGlynn said. 'Police really monitor any groups with signs or wearing Keffiyehs [Palestinian scarves]. 'I know someone whose friend was arrested. She was kept overnight but was then released without charge. 'All of this is making people more determined to have their voices heard, more determined not to be silenced.'
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hundreds attend music session in solidarity with Kneecap after court appearance
Hundreds of people attended a music session in Dublin in solidarity with Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh after he appeared in court on Wednesday. Kneecap flags and logos hung from the windows in Connolly Books, which dubs itself Ireland's oldest radical bookshop, in solidarity with O hAnnaidh, Kneecap and the people of Palestine. Pro-Palestine supporters criticised the decision by British authorities to bring a charge against the performer instead of focusing on the Israeli government's actions against the Palestinian people. O hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, speaks to supporters as he leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he was charged with a terrorism offence (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire) Hundreds of Kneecap supporters greeted O hAnnaidh as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday morning, alongside fellow Kneecap rappers Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. During the hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. The case has been adjourned until September 26, when the judge will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case. At the protest session at Connolly Books on Wednesday afternoon, several artists played Irish traditional music in solidarity with the rappers and Palestine. People attending the music session in Connolly Books (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire) Musician Ru O'Shea, who performed at the demonstration, said charging O hAnnaidh had turned him into 'a hero'. 'I think it's been a huge misstep by the powers that be to go after him in the first place,' he told the PA news agency. 'I reckon that they don't have a thing on him and I think they are turning him into a hero and I think we need a hero. 'What's happening in Palestine right now, it's gotten to such an extreme that it's waking a lot of people up, including the British who might not have ever seen it otherwise and stayed in that bubble forever.' Palestinian flags flown outside Connolly Books in Dublin's Temple Bar, where a music session took place to show solidarity for Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh after he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, in London, charged with a terrorism offence (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire) O'Shea's friend John Feehan said: 'I think people are maybe starting to look up a little bit in Britain and I think things like what's happening with Kneecap is a catalyst for people to be like 'Oh, wait a minute, what's actually happening here?'. So I hope there's momentum, but I really don't know.' Dubliner Aoife Powell, 19, said she came out to protest because she is 'angry' at the decision to charge an artist rather than focus on what is happening to the people of Gaza. 'I'm here because it just worries me that the fact that governments are focused on artists expressing themselves rather than the actual problem, which is obviously the genocide in Gaza,' she told PA. 'It's a little bit disheartening to see there's so much pressure being put on these artists to stop saying what they truly think and to stop standing on the right side of history. 'I feel like it's a distraction from what's actually happening. A 'Free Mo Chara' t-shirt and 'Make Palestine Great Again' cap at the music session to show solidarity for Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire) 'When a government tries to silence people, they should learn that they can never silence people. I feel like the public would get more angry at that.' Sean O'Grady is from Coleraine in Northern Ireland but has lived in Dublin for almost 70 years. 'I'm delighted with them (Kneecap), that they've done what they're doing and they're getting plenty of publicity. 'The British government are crazy, I mean, what are they at? 'They're supplying a lot of the bombs and a lot of the arms and ammunition to Israel to do what they're doing. So they should be ashamed of themselves instead of bringing in these people (to court) for stupid reasons. 'It's getting good publicity over there for the cause of the Palestinians.' Dubliner Dermot Nolan said he attended his first Palestine protest in 1967, and while he remembers horrific events such as the Vietnam War, the scale of death and injuries in Gaza is the worst he has ever lived through. 'I'm here because it's important to for two reasons – first of all, to show our intolerance of the genocide and slaughter that's being carried out by the US, Nato and Israel. 'The second reason is the question of civil rights. We're protesting about the indictment of a member of the Irish group Kneecap. 'It is a sign of creeping authoritarianism which is happening in all the western countries and most clearly in Britain.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
