Explained: The legal 'blunder' at the centre of Kneecap star's argument as judgement reserved in terror charge case
Follow our blog below for live updates from Westminster Magistrates Court
Judgement has been reserved in the case against Kneecap star Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is charged with supporting a proscribed terror group.
At Westminster Magistrates Court today, Judge Paul Goldspring said he is 'conscious and anxious' that a 'speedy resolution' will be wanted – not just for defendant.
However he added: 'I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks'..
The next hearing is to be held on Friday, September 26 at 10am.
The defendant's legal team argued that the terror charge against the 27-year-old was brought outside the time limit and should therefore be thrown out.
Defence lawyers said it was brought a day after the six-month limit for such charges. However prosecutors claim the charge was brought exactly within the time limit.
Ó hAnnaidh arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court in London for his second appearance earlier this morning and was greeted by hundreds of supporters.
The west Belfast native, who makes up one third of the Irish language rap group Kneecap, is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November.
Ó hAnnaidh – known by his stage name Mo Chara, which means 'my friend' in Irish – has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Follow along on our live blog:
19 minutes ago
'Free Palestine and Tiocfaidh ár lá': Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh thanks supporters outside court
The Kneecap rapper addressed activists after he was released on unconditional bail following a second appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Niamh Campbell on Twitter / X
Mo Chara, Moglaí Bap, and Kneecap's manager Dan Lambert address the crowd after leaving court "Keep talking about Palestine, this is just a distraction" Dan asks for everyone support come 26 Sep when they believe their jurisdiction point "will stand" @BelTel pic.twitter.com/NBa6XwJBZl— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
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31 minutes ago
Loud cheers as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaves court
The 27-year-old defendant, who is accused of supporting a proscribed terror group, was cheered as he left Westminster Magistrates' Court. The rapper was released on unconditional bail after the judgement was reserved in the case. Activists waved Palestine flags and Irish tricolours as he made his way out of the courthouse.
Today 11:54 AM
Judgement reserved after several hours of legal argument over technical 'blunder'
The judge says he is 'conscious and anxious' that a 'speedy resolution' will be wanted, and not just for defendant
'I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks,' he said.
The next hearing is to be held on Friday, September 26 at 10am.
Today 11:44 AM
Irish interpreters appointed to court as Kneecap member faces terror charge
Liam O hAnnaidh requested an Irish language interpreter for today's proceedings at his first appearance back in June.
It was among the first issues to be dealt with this morning.
The defendant was allowed to exit the dock to sit beside his interpreter (a blonde-haired woman) in the courtroom.
The interpreter has been formally permitted by the judge.
Conradh na Gaeilge ⭕️ on Twitter / X
Cás i gcoinne Liam Óig tosaithe anseo i Londain & ateangaire ceadaithe ag an Bhreitheamh. Case against Liam Óg underway here in Westminster Magistrate's Court. An interpreter has been formally appointed into the proceedings by the judge. Seasaimid le Liam Óg. pic.twitter.com/ABkVP4DUHv— Conradh na Gaeilge ⭕️ (@CnaG) August 20, 2025
Today 11:36 AM
Niamh Campbell breaks down Mo Chara's legal argument over 'blunder'
Barrister Ní Ghrálaigh says that 'in context of the Terrorism Act… proceedings were instituted when the written charge and requisition was issued'.
This means the criminal case officially began (was 'instituted') at the moment the written charge and court summons (called a 'requisition') was issued.
So under the Terrorism Act, the case isn't considered to have started when the police first arrested or questioned someone; it starts legally when the formal paperwork (the written charge and requisition to attend court) is issued.
The law gives prosecutors six months from the date of the alleged offence (or sometimes from when it came to light) to start proceedings.
O hAnnaidh's lawyers are arguing that the first notice on May 21 didn't count, because the Attorney General hadn't yet given the required permission for the prosecution.
If that's true, then the case only really 'started' on May 22 — which they say was one day too late, outside the six-month time limit.
The Crown Prosecution Service disagrees, saying either the Attorney General's consent wasn't legally required, so May 21 counts, or that even if it was, the re-issued charge on May 22 is still valid.
So the whole dispute boils down to: Did the prosecution start in time, or was it a day too late and therefore invalid?
Today 11:09 AM
Prosecutors oppose defence application to have case thrown out over 'technical blunder'.
Liam O hAnnaidh's lawyers launched an application for the charge to be dismissed because of the way it was first brought.
They argue the consent of the Attorney General a day after the Kneecap member was charged with supporting a proscribed terror group which was outside the six month deadline.
Mayo-born Barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh leads the defence.
She says the Crown Prosecution Service 'now seeks to rely on a written 'charge' issued by the Metropolitan Police on the previous day, May 21 (2025).
Court documents show that the Metropolitan Police issued a 'notice of criminal charge' to O hAnnaidh on May 21, accusing him of supporting a banned terrorist group in November 2024.
The notice ordered him to appear in court at 10am on June 18.
The following evening, however, a CPS terrorism prosecutor informed O hAnnaidh's solicitor by email that the charge was being reissued. A new notice, dated May 22, was attached.
But Michael Bisgrove, for the CPS, opposes the application.
'The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge', he said
Today 10:42 AM
Official Attorney General consent to terror charge came too late, defence claims
Liam O hAnnaidh's legal team has told Westminster Magistrates' Court that Attorney General Richard Hermer did not officially grant approval when police charged the 27-year-old with a terrorism-related offence on May 21.
They said consent was given the following day and are arguing that this was too late as it falls outside a six-month deadline.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service is contesting that the Attorney General's approval is not necessary in order to initiate such a charge.
Today 10:18 AM
Terror charge 'outside time limit', Kneecap member's defence team tells court
Liam Ó hAnnaidh's legal team are arguing that the charge of supporting a proscribed terror group was brought too late and should be thrown out.
The defendant was charged on May 22 this year – a day after the six-month limit for such charges.
Prosecutors claim the charge was brought on May 21, exactly within the time limit.
Judge Paul Goldspring is expected to issue a ruling later today.
Today 09:58 AM
Lots of signage outside Westminster Magistrates' Court
Hundreds of supporters greeted Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh with loud cheers as he exited a silver people-carrier and made his way inside the courthouse this morning.
Fans held placards reading 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags.
Chants of 'free, free, Mo Chara' echoed out of a megaphone which was repeated by the crowd.
The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
But prosecutors said the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November was a 'wholly different thing'.
O hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge of supporting a proscribed terror organisation.
Our reporter Niamh Campbell is in London for today's proceedings.
Niamh Campbell on Twitter / X
Still reporting on all the signage (and there's a lot of it) outside Westminster Magistrates Court today for #mochara #kneecap pic.twitter.com/lYvDOIThAf— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
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Today 09:27 AM
Kneecap shares image of road signs outside Westminster Magistrates' Court
The band shared an image of road signs which read "ethnic cleansing in Palestine" shortly before they arrived at the courthouse.
The social media post applauds activists.
It comes after the rappers urged protesters to comply with the law.
KNEECAP on Twitter / X
To whoever did this 👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/8TnIFAYcF6— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 20, 2025
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Today 09:21 AM
Gerry Carroll addresses crowds outside court
MLA Gerry Carroll addresses the crowds outside the courthouse, condemning "racist protests" in Northern Ireland and criticising the police for going after Kneecap and pro-Palestine groups instead of "racist bigots".
Today 09:15 AM
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh receives another rockstar welcome at court
Following similar scenes at his previous court appearance in June, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrived at court this morning and was once again supported by fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh.
The Met Police imposed restrictions on protesters to avoid chaos outside the court. Kneecap described the strict conditions on protesters as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'.
However the band had appealed to supporters "to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'.
Niamh Campbell on Twitter / X
The other side you don't see - the media side! #mochara #london pic.twitter.com/pvxAWwQJoF— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
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Today 08:53 AM
Liam Og O hAnnaidh swamped by photographers as he arrives at court alongside fellow band member
It took the 27-year-old more than a minute to enter Westminster Magistrates' Court as security officers attempted to usher him through the front entrance.
Hundreds of supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people-carrier to the building, alongside fellow band member Naoise Ó Caireallain (Móglaí Bap).
The third member of the Kneecap trio, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí) has also arrived at the courthouse.
Today 08:41 AM
Mo Chara arrives at court
This was the scene as Mo Chara arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court shortly after 9.30am. The crowd chanted 'Free Mo Chara', matching signs which were held aloft alongside Irish and Palestinian flags.
Today 08:28 AM
Sinn Fein MP among protesters outside court
John Finucane is addressing activists ahead of Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's court appearance. The North Belfast representative has joined pro-Palestine campaigners outside the courthouse.
"We will be here tomorrow, we will be here next week, we will be here next month," he said. "We will be here as long as is necessary, with one clear voice and one clear message, free Palestine, free Mo Chara, tiochfaidh ar lá"
Today 08:21 AM
'I love their music and the fact that they want to free Palestine'
Arul Joseph from London believes Kneecap are massively popular outside of Ireland and has been following them for a year.
Today 08:11 AM
Rush hour commuters express support for Kneecap member facing terror charge
Drivers passing a protest zone outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London have been honking their horns in support of activists.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear before a judge this morning accused of supporting the proscribed terror group Hezbollah.
Our reporter Niamh Campbell is there.
Niamh Campbell on Twitter / X
Westminster Magistrates is packed - people keep beeping their horns as they drive past #kneecap #mochara @BelTel pic.twitter.com/hEPmLJCXlB— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
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Today 08:07 AM
'I'm pro Kneecap'
Niamh Campbell talks to Louise Kelleher, who is originally from Co Cork but lives in London, about why she is supporting Mo Chara today.
Crowd grows ahead of Kneecap member's court appearance
Our reporter Niamh Campbell is outside court:
"Protesters have been gathering outside Westminster Magistrates Court since 8am this morning.
"Some of them are waving Palestine flags with one activist from NI wearing a massive papier-mâché head imitating DJ Provaí.
"A small stage has been set up in a restriction zone with hundreds of cars driving past during rush hour beeping their horns in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh.
"One woman is holding a sign with a message to the Prime Minister.
"It reads: "Catch yourself on Keir". "
Today 07:52 AM
'I felt I had to be here to support Kneecap and Mo Chara'
Niamh Campbell talks to a supporter from Co Tyrone outside the court, who is wearing a massive paper maché head of Kneecap member DJ Provaí
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