John Downing: French film that exposed wartime shame has chilling relevance for today's political climate
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The Journal
25 minutes ago
- The Journal
Kneecap's Mo Chara returns to court to face terror charge as UK police warn protesters outside
KNEECAP'S LIAM ÓG Ó hAannaidh returns to court in London today when a judge is set to hear legal argument that will decide if a full trial is likely to go ahead. As was the case when Ó hAnnaidh last appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court in June , protests are expected outside the court building and are being organised by a number of pro-Palestine groups. Unlike the last occasion, however, UK police have issued a warning to anyone planning on protesting, saying that protesters must remain in a defined area and that 'Public Order Act conditions' are in place. 'We've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow,' Met Police said on social media. 'Protest in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area.' In response to this on social media, Kneecap said that it 'massively appreciates the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is'. Advertisement 'It is a distraction from war crimes that the British state support,' added the statement. Ó hAnnaidh is one-third of Belfast rap trip Kneecap and performs under the stage name 'Mo Chara. He is facing charges of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, during a gig in the O2 Forum, Kentish Town last November. During the last court appearance, Ó hAnnaidh's legal team argued that the charge being issued in May 2025 was brought outside the six-month limit from when the offence was alleged to have been committed on 21 November 2024. Barristers for the Crown Prosecution Service have disputed this but the previous hearing was adjourned to allow for substantive arguments the matter to be heard today. Should the judge agree with Ó hAnnaidh's legal team, the prosecution would fall and Ó hAnnaidh would not have to enter a plea or face a trial. If the judge sides with prosecutors, then Ó hAnnaidh would have to enter a plea. In pre-trial public statements, the rap group have indicated that Ó hAnnaidh would plead not guilty. During the June hearing, the allegations against Ó hAnnaidh were summarised by prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, who said that the case was 'not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.' Instead, he said it 'deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.' Related Reads Inside and outside the Kneecap courtroom: Film directors, The Fields of Athenry, and a few police Kneecap erect large billboards in London as band member Mo Chara due in court on terror charge Kneecap: What's the terror charge 'Mo Chara' is facing, what's the defence and the sentence? Ó hAnnaidh has recruited a team of high-profile lawyers with experience of UK courts to administer his defence. The legal team includes Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, who represented families of the Stardust fire and Brenda Campbell KC, who acted in the recent inquests in the Stardust case. Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in June, Mackin framed the case as one about freedom of expression. 'Oppression fears the freedom of expression, but the reality is Kneecap will stand up for freedom of expression and defend not only their rights but the rights of artists all around the world,' he said. During the June hearing, the judge had said that unsuccessful attempts were made to have an Irish language interpreter present in court but that efforts would be made to secure one for the next hearing. Unlike the previous court appearance when the accused's named was listed as 'O'Hanna', an online listing for today's court appearance contains several special characters, suggesting that the Irish language version of his name was entered into a computer system. Should the matter go to trial, there will not be a jury determining the verdict but a district judge instead. 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 Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Nato military chiefs to hold meeting today as Donald Trump rules out putting US troops on ground in Ukraine
Ukraine and its European allies have been buoyed by US president Donald Trump's promise of security guarantees to help end the war during a summit on Monday, but face many unanswered questions. As military planners start to work on what options might exist for security guarantees, Mr Trump ruled out sending US troops into Ukraine but suggested that Washington could provide some type of air support. US air force general Alexus Grynkewich, who also oversees all Nato operations in Europe, will brief the chiefs of defence on the results of the Alaska meeting between Mr Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin last week. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of the Nato military committee, said there would be a video conference today. Officials said the meeting was taking place during unique circumstances and expected topics such as the security guarantee to be discussed. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US general Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected to attend the meeting, but plans could change. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The British government said what is known as the Coalition of the Willing, which met virtually yesterday, had agreed that its planning teams would meet US counterparts in the coming days to advance plans for security guarantees for Ukraine. We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air Earlier yesterday, Mr Trump ruled out placing American soldiers in Ukraine and gave no specifics about the security guarantees he has previously said Washington could offer Kyiv under any post-war settlement. But in the same interview with Fox News, he suggested Washington could provide air support to Ukraine. 'When it comes to security, [Europeans] are willing to put people on the ground, we're willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have, really they don't have,' Mr Trump said. He did not provide any further details. Officials have told Reuters the Pentagon is carrying out planning exercises on the type of support Washington could offer that goes beyond simply providing weapons. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said after his meeting with Mr Trump and European leaders that security guarantees for Kyiv will probably be worked out within 10 days.
The Journal
8 hours ago
- The Journal
Met Police issues warning to protesters ahead of Kneecap member's court appearance in London
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE has issued a warning to anyone planning on protesting outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow in support of Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. The 27-year-old rapper, whose stage name is Mo Chara, appeared in the court in June charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in Britain, during a gig in the O2 Forum, Kentish Town last November. Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing , which will take place tomorrow, when legal argument will be dealt with. Ó hAnnaidh and his fellow bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J J Ó Dochartaigh left the court in June to loud cheers and chants of 'Free Palestine' from hundreds of their supporters who remained outside during the hearing. Before they emerged, supporters gave speeches about Palestine and Ireland. Advertisement Throughout the morning, supporters of the group held placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap' along with tricolours, Palestinian flags and Kneecap flags, with musicians also performing. The UK's Stop The War Coalition was among those organising the protest, calling on people to 'picket' the court building. In a statement this evening, the Met Police said it has imposed 'Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow'. These conditions can be imposed when police deem it necessary to prevent public disorder such as damage to property, disruption to the community or excessive noise. The Met has set out an area in which protests in support of Ó hAnnaidh and 'aligned causes must remain'. In response to this on social media, Kneecap said that it 'massively appreciates the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is'. 'It is a distraction from war crimes that the British state support,' added the statement. Related Reads Opinion: The British political class has it in for Kneecap - they just don't get it Kneecap complain of 'political policing' after this gig ad was blocked on London Tube Inside and outside the Kneecap courtroom: Film directors, The Fields of Athenry, and a few police We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is. It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support. In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as… — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 19, 2025 'In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome. 'It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara's court appearance. 'There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity, with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media. 'We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful.' 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
