Kneecap's Mo Chara faces month-long wait over whether terror charge is thrown out

Irish Independent

a day ago

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A member of rap trio Kneecap faces a month-long wait to find out whether his terrorism charge will be thrown out.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was once again greeted by hundreds of fans as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for a three-hour hearing.
Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year.
During Wednesday's hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.
Brenda Campbell KC told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21.
She said consent was given the following day, but that meant the charge falls outside of the six-month time frame in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance and that permission did not need to be sought in order to bring a criminal charge.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring adjourned the case until September 26, when he will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case.
Hundreds of Kneecap supporters waving flags and holding banners greeted O hAnnaidh as he arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh.
Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside the court building in London, as well as in Dublin.
The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court could take place, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'.
A man was detained by police outside the court building because of a placard he was holding following the hearing.
Surrounded by officers, he told reporters his hand-made sign made no reference to any proscribed organisations.
O hAnnaidh was swamped by photographers as he arrived, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building.
Supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people carrier to the building.
Fans held signs which read 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival at court.
Chants of 'Free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd.
Mr O Caireallain and Mr O Dochartaigh sat at the back of the courtroom with three others as O hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of the hearing.
In response to the Met imposing conditions on the protest, Kneecap described the move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'.
The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum was a 'wholly different thing'.
O hAnnaidh, of Belfast, is yet to enter a plea to the charge and is on unconditional bail.
41 minutes ago
'Free Palestine and Tiocfaidh ár lá': Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh thanks supporters outside court
The Kneecap rapper addressed activists after he was released on unconditional bail following a second appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Mo Chara, Moglaí Bap, and Kneecap's manager Dan Lambert address the crowd after leaving court
"Keep talking about Palestine, this is just a distraction"
Dan asks for everyone support come 26 Sep when they believe their jurisdiction point "will stand" @BelTel pic.twitter.com/NBa6XwJBZl
— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
53 minutes ago
Loud cheers as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaves court
The 27-year-old defendant, who is accused of supporting a proscribed terror group, was cheered as he left Westminster Magistrates' Court. The rapper was released on unconditional bail after the judgement was reserved in the case. Activists waved Palestine flags and Irish tricolours as he made his way out of the courthouse.
Today 07:54 AM
Judgement reserved after several hours of legal argument over technical 'blunder'
The judge says he is 'conscious and anxious' that a 'speedy resolution' will be wanted, and not just for defendant
'I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks,' he said.
The next hearing is to be held on Friday, September 26 at 10am.
Today 07:44 AM
Irish interpreters appointed to court as Kneecap member faces terror charge
Liam O hAnnaidh requested an Irish language interpreter for today's proceedings at his first appearance back in June.
It was among the first issues to be dealt with this morning.
The defendant was allowed to exit the dock to sit beside his interpreter (a blonde-haired woman) in the courtroom.
The interpreter has been formally permitted by the judge.
Cás i gcoinne Liam Óig tosaithe anseo i Londain & ateangaire ceadaithe ag an Bhreitheamh.
Case against Liam Óg underway here in Westminster Magistrate's Court. An interpreter has been formally appointed into the proceedings by the judge.
Seasaimid le Liam Óg. pic.twitter.com/ABkVP4DUHv
— Conradh na Gaeilge ⭕️ (@CnaG) August 20, 2025
Today 07:36 AM
Niamh Campbell breaks down Mo Chara's legal argument over 'blunder'
Barrister Ní Ghrálaigh says that 'in context of the Terrorism Act… proceedings were instituted when the written charge and requisition was issued'.
This means the criminal case officially began (was 'instituted') at the moment the written charge and court summons (called a 'requisition') was issued.
So under the Terrorism Act, the case isn't considered to have started when the police first arrested or questioned someone; it starts legally when the formal paperwork (the written charge and requisition to attend court) is issued.
The law gives prosecutors six months from the date of the alleged offence (or sometimes from when it came to light) to start proceedings.
O hAnnaidh's lawyers are arguing that the first notice on May 21 didn't count, because the Attorney General hadn't yet given the required permission for the prosecution.
If that's true, then the case only really 'started' on May 22 — which they say was one day too late, outside the six-month time limit.
The Crown Prosecution Service disagrees, saying either the Attorney General's consent wasn't legally required, so May 21 counts, or that even if it was, the re-issued charge on May 22 is still valid.
So the whole dispute boils down to: Did the prosecution start in time, or was it a day too late and therefore invalid?
Today 07:09 AM
Prosecutors oppose defence application to have case thrown out over 'technical blunder'.
Liam O hAnnaidh's lawyers launched an application for the charge to be dismissed because of the way it was first brought.
They argue the consent of the Attorney General a day after the Kneecap member was charged with supporting a proscribed terror group which was outside the six month deadline.
Mayo-born Barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh leads the defence.
She says the Crown Prosecution Service 'now seeks to rely on a written 'charge' issued by the Metropolitan Police on the previous day, May 21 (2025).
Court documents show that the Metropolitan Police issued a 'notice of criminal charge' to O hAnnaidh on May 21, accusing him of supporting a banned terrorist group in November 2024.
The notice ordered him to appear in court at 10am on June 18.
The following evening, however, a CPS terrorism prosecutor informed O hAnnaidh's solicitor by email that the charge was being reissued. A new notice, dated May 22, was attached.
But Michael Bisgrove, for the CPS, opposes the application.
'The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge', he said
Today 06:42 AM
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.
Today 06:18 AM
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.
Today 05:58 AM
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.
Still reporting on all the signage (and there's a lot of it) outside Westminster Magistrates Court today for #mochara #kneecap pic.twitter.com/lYvDOIThAf
— Niamh Campbell (@niamh_journo) August 20, 2025
Today 05:27 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 05:21 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 05:15 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 04:41 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 04:28 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 04:21 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 04:07 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 03:58 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". "