Kneecap member's legal team includes barrister who freed Birmingham Six
Kneecap member Mo Chara- who was formally charged with terrorism offences at a London court on Wednesday – has hired a crack defence team.
His legal reps include the barrister who successfully defended the wrongfully convicted Birmingham Six bombers; a solicitor who acted for Paddy Jackson in the notorious 'rugby trial' and an international rights lawyer who argued on behalf of South Africa in the 'genocide' case against the state of Israel.
The Northern Irish rapper's souped-up defence team can be considered as somewhat of an indicator of the gravity of the charges levelled against him which could carry a hefty term behind bars. Kneecap band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court. Pic: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock
Four weeks ago, the Metropolitan Police announced that the 27-year-old performer had been charged under his real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh under the Terrorism Act on May 21 for 'displaying a flag in support of Hizballah, a proscribed organisation'.
Subsequent to the charges, Kneecap announced that they would vehemently defend the charges.
And with the conscription of the crack defence panel, it would appear that they intend to mount a robust defence in an effort to stave off jail time.
The biggest hitter of the defence team is Guildford Four and Birmingham Six lawyer Gareth Peirce. Gareth Peirce (centre) at Westminster Magistrates' Court ahead of the court appearance of Kneecap band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara. Pic:Ms Peirce is often described as one of the UK's leading human rights lawyers. She represented the Guildford Four as they fought to prove their wrongful convictions over the IRA's 1974 Guildford pub bombings.
The case was made into a film in 'In the Name of the Father', with Emma Thompson playing the lawyer.
Ms Peirce, who also went on to represent WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, is joined on Mo Chara's legal team by Belfast-based Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law. Darragh Mackin (right) with Kneecap band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (left), who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning. Pic: Benjamin Cremel/AFP via Getty Images
Belfast-based solicitor Mr Mackin hit the headlines when he took on the case of former Irish rugby international star Paddy Jackson in the infamous trial that gripped the nation both North and South of the border.
A one time star of the rugby world in 2017 Mr Jackson was charged with rape for which he was subsequently tried and cleared with a not guilty verdict after a protracted legal case in 2018. Paddy Jackson outside court in Belfast in February 2018. Pic:And beefing up the star-studded defence bench are three highly accomplished female members of the U.K. bar association.
Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC have been drafted into what is set to be a highly contentious case. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January 2024. Pic: Selman Aksunger/Anadolu via Getty Images
Perhaps the most high-profile of the aforementioned legal bigwigs is Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC, who last year was tasked by South Africa with presenting its 'genocide' case against Israel in the International Court of Human Rights.
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