Kneecap recruits prominent Irish lawyers ahead of band member's alleged terror offences trial
RAP GROUP KNEECAP has recruited
a team of prominent human rights and criminal defence lawyers
ahead of a trial in which one of its members accused of alleged terror offences.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged over the alleged display of a flag in support of militant group Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November last year.
The 27-year-old Belfast native is to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. Ó hAnnaidh has not spoken individually since the charge was confirmed,
but Kneecap as a band
has said they will contest the charges.
'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves,' a statement said last month. 'This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction.'
Posting online today, the band said Ó hAnnaidh will be represented by Darragh Mackin, of Pheonix Law, who represented
families of the Stardust fire
in a recent inquiry into the event and previously
represented the band in a funding dispute case
.
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Mackin is also joined by barristers Brenda Campbell, KC, who also
represented families in the Stardust inquiry
and
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh
, KC, an international law expert with a specialism in protest law.
Ní Ghrálaigh, a Co Mayo native, appeared before the International Court of Justice last year on behalf of South Africa in its genocide case against Israel.
Fellow freedom of speech and human rights barrister Jude Bunting, KC, Just Stop Oil solicitor Rosalind Comyn and criminal defence expert Gareth Peirce, who
represented the Birimingham 6
and Guilford 4, also join the defence team.
In a post, the band said: 'We will fight you in your court. We will win.'
Ó hAnnaidh is accused of committed an offence under the UK's Terrorism Act, Section 13 (1) which says:
'A person in a public place commits an offence if he a) wears an item of clothing or b) wears, carries or displays an article, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.'
The band have come to international prominence for their outspokenness on Israel's ongoing bombing and siege of Gaza which has killed over 50,000 people and
has brought the enclave to the brink of famine
.
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8 hours ago
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Support swells for Kneecap's Mo Chara as fundraiser surges ahead of court appearance
A fundraiser for Kneecap member Mo Chara has garnered a whopping £13,656 as support floods in for the Belfast rapper. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah during a show last year. If convicted, Mr Ó hAnnaidh could face up to six months in prison and a fine. A fundraiser for Kneecap member Mo Chara has garnered a whopping £13,656 as mass amounts of support flood in for the Belfast rapper. Pic: Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock It would also lead to extreme difficulties for the group's busy tour schedule as he may not be allowed to enter some countries if he receives a conviction under the UK's Terrorism Act. Now, 'fans and friends of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap' have set up a Crowd Justice fundraiser page to support him amid the legal battle. The campaign synopsis reads: 'Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Liam Og Hanna), known for his powerful lyrics and dynamic performances as part of the iconic Irish Rap group Kneecap, is currently facing charges that have raised significant concerns about artistic freedom and expression. We believe that these charges, classified under 'terrorism,' are not only unfounded but also pose a dangerous threat to the freedom of expression everywhere who dare to voice their perspectives and challenge societal norms. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah during a show last year. 'This crowdfunding initiative has been set up to support Liam Og Hanna and Kneecap in the wider battle that is about much more than one artist—it's about safeguarding the right to freedom of expression. 'Kneecap's music and performances are premised on satire and absurdity. They are by their very existence bold and provocative, prompting necessary conversations around political and social issues. The charges brought against him could set a chilling precedent that stifles creative freedom and dissuades artists from speaking out. Your support will help cover legal fees and experts skilled in handling complex cases sensitive to artistic and free speech rights,' they added. 'By contributing, you are standing up for more than Kneecap; you are defending the artistic community at large.' The crowdfunding page has already garnered 553 pledges and £13,656 has been donated towards their £30,000 target. Elsewhere, the rap group announced the members of their six-person legal team earlier this week, including law experts who have worked on some of the most high-profile court cases in recent Irish and UK history.
Extra.ie
11 hours ago
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Kneecap unveil legal 'dream team' for UK case
Kneecap have unveiled the legal 'dream team' who will defend one of their members fighting a terrorism charge in UK court, including an Irish lawyer at the forefront of the case accusing of Israel of genocide in Gaza. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah during a show last year. If convicted, Mr Ó hAnnaidh could face up to six months in prison and a fine. Kneecap have unveiled the legal 'dream team' who will defend one of their members fighting a terrorism charge in UK court, including an Irish lawyer at the forefront of the case accusing of Israel of genocide in Gaza. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire It would also lead to extreme difficulties for the group's busy tour schedule as he may not be allowed to enter some countries if he receives a conviction under the UK's Terrorism Act. The rap group announced the members of their six-person legal team yesterday evening, including law experts who have worked on some of the most high-profile court cases in recent Irish and UK history. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, who specialises in human rights law, appeared in the International Court of Justice last year on behalf of South Africa, who had accused Israel of committing genocide. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah during a show last year. Pic: Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock The list also includes Darragh Mackin, who previously acted for the group in a case against the UK government in which they successfully challenged a decision to withhold arts funding for the group. He also represented the families of Stardust blaze victims at the inquests. Also on the legal team will be Gareth Peirce, solicitor and human rights activist. Ms Peirce, now 85, is a familiar name to many due to her legal challenges to the incarceration of the Birmingham Six, who were ultimately exonerated after being wrongfully convicted of the pub bombings in 1975. Ms Peirce also represented the wrongly convicted Guildford Four. More recently, she acted as solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition. Kneecap described another lawyer, Brenda Campbell, as a specialist 'regularly appearing in cases relating to terrorism and protest law'. Kneecap will have Rosalind Comyn , who previously represented Just Stop Oil protesters who threw soup on the protective frame of Van Gogh's famous Sunflowers painting in London's National Gallery. Rounding out the team is Jude Bunting, who the rap trio have called 'an expert in freedom of expression'.
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Kneecap recruits prominent Irish lawyers ahead of band member's alleged terror offences trial
RAP GROUP KNEECAP has recruited a team of prominent human rights and criminal defence lawyers ahead of a trial in which one of its members accused of alleged terror offences. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged over the alleged display of a flag in support of militant group Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November last year. The 27-year-old Belfast native is to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. Ó hAnnaidh has not spoken individually since the charge was confirmed, but Kneecap as a band has said they will contest the charges. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves,' a statement said last month. 'This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction.' Posting online today, the band said Ó hAnnaidh will be represented by Darragh Mackin, of Pheonix Law, who represented families of the Stardust fire in a recent inquiry into the event and previously represented the band in a funding dispute case . Advertisement Mackin is also joined by barristers Brenda Campbell, KC, who also represented families in the Stardust inquiry and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh , KC, an international law expert with a specialism in protest law. Ní Ghrálaigh, a Co Mayo native, appeared before the International Court of Justice last year on behalf of South Africa in its genocide case against Israel. Fellow freedom of speech and human rights barrister Jude Bunting, KC, Just Stop Oil solicitor Rosalind Comyn and criminal defence expert Gareth Peirce, who represented the Birimingham 6 and Guilford 4, also join the defence team. In a post, the band said: 'We will fight you in your court. We will win.' Ó hAnnaidh is accused of committed an offence under the UK's Terrorism Act, Section 13 (1) which says: 'A person in a public place commits an offence if he a) wears an item of clothing or b) wears, carries or displays an article, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.' The band have come to international prominence for their outspokenness on Israel's ongoing bombing and siege of Gaza which has killed over 50,000 people and has brought the enclave to the brink of famine . 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
