Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh terror charge 'outside time limit', defence team tells court
Follow our live blog of today's proceedings below
A member of rap group Kneecap is appearing in court for allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation.
Liam Óg Ó 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.
Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place on Wednesday, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'.
See our live blog, courtesy of our sister publication the Belfast Telegraph, below:
2 minutes ago
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.
25 minutes ago
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.
46 minutes ago
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.
#mochara #kneecap pic.twitter.com/lYvDOIThAf
— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
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.
To whoever did this 👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/8TnIFAYcF6
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 20, 2025
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'.
The other side you don't see - the media side! #mochara #london pic.twitter.com/pvxAWwQJoF
— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
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.
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
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.
Today 07:58 AM
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 07:39 AM
Significant police presence outside Westminster Magistrates' Court
The Met Police introduced a restriction zone for protesters who have already started gathering outside the courthouse.
Plenty of Met Police ready to go ahead of Mo Chara appearing in court today... @BelTel pic.twitter.com/NXhYieHSWe
— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
Today 07:20 AM
Catch up podcast: The first court appearance
Today 07:12 AM
What's been said
During a recent Féile an Phobail event earlier this month, Kneecap's band manager, Dublin native Daniel Lambert, said that Óg hAnnaidh 'knows that he's right'.
Speaking at the 'West Belfast Talks Back' initiative, he stated: 'I don't want to speak for Liam Óg, but I think there's a great sense of conviction that comes when you know that you're right... and you haven't done anything wrong.
'You walk into any room, and there's a group of people against you, but you're clear on what you've done and that you've done the right thing, and that kind of counts for a lot. That's the way he kind of feels about it.'
Today 07:12 AM
What's happening today?
Legal argument is set to be dealt with in the court today.
London's Metropolitan Police Service have also imposed conditions on planned protests due to take place today, as Ó hAnnaidh arrives.
The Met Police confirmed it will enforce strict conditions to 'prevent serious disruption' outside the courthouse.
We've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
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 pic.twitter.com/A4cPFGe7xi
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 19, 2025
Today 07:10 AM
What happened during Mo Chara's last court appearance?
As Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrived wearing a keffiyeh (a traditionally Palestinian scarf), thousands of supporters gathered outside the court, with many holding signs stating 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Free Palestine'.
In that first sitting, Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his name to the judge in Irish, and an interpreter has been sought for today's proceedings, with the judge stating that one had not been available for June's court session.
It is not yet known whether an Irish interpreter has been found for today's hearing.
Court talk of Irish interpreter prompts giggles - is this life imitating art for Kneecap?
It was expected to be hundreds but in the end it was thousands who stood outside Westminster magistrates court for the first appearance of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, AKA Mo Chara.
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