Chaos outside court as Kneecap member arrives ahead of appearance on terror charge
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Police officers are seen among supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. Credit: PA
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh who performs under the name Mo Chara of Irish group Kneecap appears outside Westminster Magistrates' Court.
There are chaotic scenes outside a court today where a member of Kneecap is appearing charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, is due at Westminster Magistrates Court accused of displaying a flag in support of a proscribed organisation.
Shortly after 10am, Mr Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh arrived to a scrum of hundreds of their supporters who cheered as their vehicle pulled up.
Some in the crowd are holding Irish Tricolours and Palestinian flags.
Sinn Fein MPs Paul Maskey and John Finucane are present. Mr Maskey has addressed the crowd.
The 27-year-old from west Belfast has been charged over the alleged display of the flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November.
The band have previously said they will 'vehemently defend ourselves'.
Follow our live coverage below:
Key updates
Kneecap members leave court
Kneecap member released on bail until next hearing
Kneecap court proceedings underway
Kneecap members arrive at court
Police remove pro-Israel protestor
Flavia Gouveia Protest concludes with music and clean up effort
Following the protest, musicians performed and people chanted while organisers picked up litter and discarded placards.
Speaking after the protest, Linsy Damashek, 22, said: 'It was incredible. It was very diverse; I loved hearing the people speak about their history.
'I'm Irish as well so it's a shared history of colonialism. That's why people are out here – we know what colonialism looks like and genocide.'
Ms Damashek, who lives in south London, attended as a member of Jews Against Genocide UK. She added: 'From my Jewish side, we know what a genocide looks like and what's going on in Palestine is a genocide.
'Everything is interconnected.'
Mark Edwards
More images of Kneecap rapper leaving court
Liam Og O hAnnaidh leaving court.
PA wires
Liam Og O hAnnaidh leaving court.
PA wire
Liam Og O hAnnaidh
.
PA wire
Mark Edwards Kneecap members leave court
The members of the band Kneecap have left Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh left the court to loud cheers and chants of "Free Palestine" from hundreds of their supporters who remained outside during the hearing.
O hAnnaidh was wearing sunglasses and a keffiyeh as he left the court.
Before they emerged, supporters gave speeches about Palestine and Ireland.
The area outside Westminster Magistrates Court was crammed with fans waving flags, playing drums and a smoke canister was set off.
Supporters followed the band to a side road where a dark people carrier waited for them, chanting pro Palestine slogans as they were asked to clear the road by police.
Kneecap members leaving court.
PA wire
Mark Edwards Kneecap member released on bail until next hearing
Liam Og O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20 when legal argument will be dealt with.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him he must attend court on that day.
He received a round of applause outside the courtroom after the short hearing.
Hundreds of fans along with journalists crammed against the doors of the court building as they waited for the performer to leave.
He went into a side room to speak with lawyers after the hearing.
Supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh wait outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London
.
PA wire
Mark Edwards Prosecutor comments on case against Kneecap rapper
Kneecap rapper Liam O hAnnaidh, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, 27, from Belfast, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig on November 21 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: "This case is not about Mr hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel."
He told the court O hAnnaidh is "well within his rights" to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians.
It is alleged that O hAnnaidh, who appeared on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, displayed a Hezbollah flag and said "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at the gig.
Wearing a dark zip up jacket and trousers, he spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing.
Claire Williamson Irish interpreter sought for proceedings
Allison Morris reports: The judge has asked if Liam Og O hAnnaidh would prefer an Irish interpreter.
One couldn't be found that was available for today - defence has said if one is available for the trial that would be helpful.
Mark Edwards
Footage of Kneecap members arriving at court
Claire Williamson Kneecap court proceedings underway
Allison Morris reports: The defendant has confirmed his name - in Irish - to the judge
Adrian Rutherford Court delays amid chaos
Allison Morris reports the court case has yet to start. "There are too many people and not enough spaces, along with thousands of supporters outside," she says. "Inside there are representatives of the Irish language lobby and politicians John Finucane and Paul Maskey."
Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh (centre, in scarf) arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London
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PA wire
Kneecap band member, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Getty Images
Claire Williamson 'Fields of Athenry' playing outside court
Bemused defendants who had shown up for their day in court tried to push through the crowds with an Irish band playing the Fields of Athenry
Claire Williamson Kneecap in court
Allison Morris reports there were chaotic scenes as Kneecap arrived in court with security struggling to contain the crowds gathered outside.
Kneecap's Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London
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PA wire
Claire Williamson Speeches underway
Sinn Fein MPs Paul Maskey and John Finucane are currently addressing the crowd
Mark Edwards Kneecap members arrive at court
The members of Kneecap have arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh arrived to a scrum of hundreds of their supporters who cheered as their vehicle pulled up.
The band were wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts as they arrived at the central London court - Mo Chara being the stage name of Og O hAnnaidh.
The members of Kneecap walked up the stairs of the court and looked over the balcony, smiling and giving a thumbs up to their hundreds of supporters gathered outside.
A crowd of supporters had surged around the entrance of the court as the band arrived, with some also entering the lobby.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh
.
Getty Images
Claire Williamson Kneecap arrival expected imminently
We are inside court awaiting proceedings to start - Kneecap expected to arrive any minute
Mark Edwards Police remove pro-Israel protestor
Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd outside court wearing an Israeli flag which provoked boos, swearing and shouts of "free Palestine".
The crowd became animated and shouted "Israel is a terrorist state" and "take him out for his own safety" as he made gestures and argued with protesters.
Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed.
Police officers remove a counter-protesters from the middle of the supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh
.
PA wire
Claire Williamson 'Chaotic scenes'
Allison Morris reports: There are chaotic scenes at Westminster court as police try and keep order in a crowd that's grown to several thousands. They are chanting 'Free Free Mo Chara'
Claire Williamson Allison Morris in London
Crime Correspondent Allison Morris is in London for the Belfast Telegraph and will be bringing us live coverage as the day's proceedings unfold.
There is a large media presence currently gathered for the case.
Mark Edwards
Thousands of supporters now outside court
Kneecap reporter outside court
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PA wire
Mark Edwards Kneecap 'on the right side of history', claims Sinn Fein MP
Sinn Féin MPs Paul Maskey and John Finucane will this morning address a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh.
West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said: 'While Benjamin Netanyahu, his rogue regime, and an out-of-control military continue to violate international law and commit war crimes, it is Kneecap — not the war criminals — who are being dragged before the courts.
'This is the same British justice system that stays silent on the British government's complicity in Israel's brutal and relentless assault on the defenceless people of Gaza.
'Today, I'll be speaking out against these glaring double standards and standing in solidarity with Liam Óg.
'Kneecap's courage in calling out Israel's genocide in Palestine, despite the full weight of the western establishment against them, deserves recognition and support. They are on the right side of history.'
Mark Edwards Supporters now chanting outside court
Protesters of all ages, both individuals and groups, gathered outside the court building before Liam Og O hAnnaidh's hearing.
Many carried placards of support as well as Palestinian and Irish flags and set up banners on the railings positioned by the court.
Groups including Love Music Hate Racism set up tables distributing placards, stickers, posters and T-shirts.
Charles Parker, 35, said protesting was important to him because he believed in "freedom of speech".
The composite engineer from Northamptonshire said: "I believe in freedom for Palestine.
"I come from an Irish Republican background and Palestine helped us in the 1990s.
"We stand by those who stand by us.
"I have been a fan of Kneecap since I saw them in Belfast about five years ago.
"I'm open to whatever may happen. If the Metropolitan Police do anything, you've got to be ready for anything."
Supporters outside the court in London
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Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh who performs under the name Mo Chara of Irish group Kneecap appears outside Westminster Magistrates' Court.
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