Kneecap member arrive at court to face terrorism charge
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 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.
The 27-year-old arrived at court on Wednesday with the other two members of the Belfast trio – Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh.
Kneecap said London had been 'plastered' with messages of support before the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, with a billboard displaying the words 'more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara' seen in the Lambeth area.
(Image: Jonathan Browning/PA Wire)
READ MORE: Kneecap dropped from TRNSMT lineup following 'Police Scotland concerns'
Og O hAnnaidh is due to appear in court following an alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London.
The charge Og O hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' – namely, Hezbollah.
Kneecap described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' in a post on X on Tuesday evening.
A huge scrum of their hundreds of supporters greeted them as they slowly made their way to the entrance of the court building.
(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
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The band were wearing 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts.
Supporters gathered outside the court building from early in the morning, holding placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap'.
A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara'.
(Image: PA) Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support, said: 'I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.'
Copywriter Victoria Ashworth travelled from her home in Brighton with her daughter Lily to attend the protest.
Ms Ashworth, 53, said: 'I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.'
Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which prompted 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 removing the protestor (Image: PA)
READ MORE: Kneecap correct BBC headline after TRNSMT show cancelled
Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed.
The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online.
In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth.
The Met previously said Kneecap were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.
The rap trio said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
READ MORE: TRNSMT: Kneecap removed from Glasgow TRNSMT lineup
The group were removed from Glasgow's TRNSMT lineup after "concerns expressed by police."
The Glasgow Times previously reported that the group posted a statement reading: "Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, July 11.
"We thank fans for their understanding."
Liam Og O Hannaidh arriving at court(Image: PA)In April, the Glasgow Times reported that First Minister John Swinney supported calls for Kneecap's removal from the TRNSMT lineup after a video clip from a 2023 performance showed a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
Mr Swinney said the comments "crossed a line" and were unacceptable.
He added: "It would be unacceptable for me for the band to perform on such a stage given the fact that their comments are so beyond the pale.
"I think TRNSMT have got to respond to that."
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.
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