Latest news with #TerrorismAct
The Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
'In the belly of the beast': Kneecap announce biggest English show to date at London arena
IRISH RAP GROUP Kneecap have announced details of a huge headline show in London – which they claim will be their biggest concert outside of Ireland yet. The new concert will see them perform at the 12,500-capacity venue, the Wembley Arena, on Thursday 18 September. The group shared the news on social media this morning, adding: 'The belly of the beast – let's go!' All London heads...💥 Our biggest ever headline show outside of Ireland will take place on September 18th at the OVO Wembley Arena. 🔥 - Pre-sale is tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am in our WhatsApp channel. - General sale is 10am this Friday. The belly of the beast - let's go! — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) June 3, 2025 Tickets go on pre-sale via the group's WhatsApp channel from 10am on Wednesday, with general sale on Friday. The announcement comes on the back of the band's headline performance at Wide Awake festival in London last month, which received stellar reviews despite the band's recent controversies . Advertisement Kneecap were also confirmed to be playing at Glastonbury today when the full lineup was announced . Their performance at the UK's biggest festival was in doubt after the group were pulled from Scotland's TRNSMT festival last week. Police Scotland claimed that making the set safe would require a significant operation on its part, which Kneecap questioned, stating that they have played Glasgow 'many many times with no issues – ever'. The group made headlines last month when member Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was formally charged under the UK's Terrorism Act in relation to an alleged incident at a London gig in 2023 . Ó hAnnaidh was charged in connection with allegedly displaying a flag supporting Hezbollah during a gig in November 2023, according to UK police. He is scheduled to appear in court on 18 June. Kneecap have explicitly denied ever supporting Hezbollah or Hamas since the concert video resurfaced. The trio have a number of Irish gigs coming up later this year, including a sold-out show in Fairview Park on 19 June – just one day after Mo Chara's upcoming court appearance. They are also scheduled for two nights at the 3Arena in December. 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
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Fourth man arrested over ‘arson attack' at homes linked to Sir Keir Starmer after cops swoop on Stansted airport
A FOURTH man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer in North London. Cops say a 48-year-old man was detained today at London Stansted Airport following the 6 A forensics officer after a fire in Kentish Town, north London, last month Credit: PA 6 A 4x4 was also allegedly set alight Credit: PA 6 The properties are all linked to Sir Keir Starmer Credit: EPA He was initially stopped by officers under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, 2000, before being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest is connected to an investigation into a fire involving the PM's former Toyota Rav4 on May 8, a property where he once lived on May 11, and his family's former house on May 12. The man has been taken to a London police station, where he currently remains in police custody. Police have already charged Roman Lavrynovych, 21, a Ukrainian national, with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life; Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, a Romanian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life; Petro Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The three men have been remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, (June 6). Carpiuc and Lavrynovych, also a roofer, both advertised themselves as male models on the internet. On website Carpiuc said he wanted to be the 'top male model in the world'. On Monday, police raided a two-bed North London flat said to have been previously shared by Pochynok and Carpiuc, his dad and brother until about six months ago. Most read in The Sun Pochynok is said to have last visited the property three weeks ago. Six officers were seen carrying evidence bags out after spending about four hours inside. Carpiuc was arrested on Saturday at Luton Airport as he prepared to catch a Wizz Air flight to He studied business at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, and is awaiting his results. The investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command due to the fires all having connections to a high-profile public figure. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May. Enquiries remain ongoing. 6 Petro Pochynok is the third man to appear in court charged over an alleged plot to torch two homes and a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer 6 Model Roman Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, has also been charged Credit: Pixel8000 6 Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, is also charged with plotting arsons between April 17 and May 13
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Fourth man arrested over ‘arson attack' at homes linked to Sir Keir Starmer after cops swoop on Stansted airport
A FOURTH man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer in North London. Cops say a 48-year-old man was detained today at London Stansted Airport following the suspected arson attacks last month. 2 A forensics officer after a fire in Kentish Town, north London, last month Credit: PA 2 A 4x4 was also allegedly set alight Credit: PA He was initially stopped by officers under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, 2000, before being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest is connected to an investigation into a fire involving the PM's former Toyota Rav4 on May 8, a property where he once lived on May 11, and his family's former house on May 12. The man has been taken to a London police station, where he currently remains in police custody. Police have already charged Roman Lavrynovych, 21, a Ukrainian national, with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life; Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, a Romanian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life; Petro Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The three men have been remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, (June 6). The investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command due to the fires all having connections to a high-profile public figure. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May. Enquiries remain ongoing.
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
The contrast between Kneecap charges and flag-festooned Northern Ireland is absurd
Under the UK 's main counter-terrorism legislation, the Terrorism Act 2000, it is an offence to arrange, assist or attend a meeting with knowledge that it will be addressed by a member of a proscribed organisation. This is a serious offence, punishable by up to 14 years in jail. The maximum sentence was raised from 10 years in 2021, so it is supposedly becoming more serious. Yet scarcely a week goes by in Northern Ireland when this law is not apparently broken by civic leaders, public officials, elected representatives and police officers as they pursue what is delicately termed 'community engagement' or 'paramilitary transition'. While some of these meetings are furtive, others will be reported as routine news. Some meetings will be condemned but others will be praised as courageous, or at worst as a regrettable necessity. Almost none will be described as a crime because that would criminalise peace-processing itself, along with all the great and the good, and the not-so-good, who participate. READ MORE Ironically, the Terrorism Act was passed in the wake of the Belfast Agreement to create consistent law across the UK. It was believed the end of the Troubles should mean the end of emergency laws that applied only to Northern Ireland. Instead, the UK has acquired counter-terrorism laws that are uniquely ignored in Northern Ireland because the authorities consider enforcement impossible or unwise. As the illegality of peace-processing is too awful to contemplate, it has taken a lesser absurdity to bring the inconsistency into focus. Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly holding up a Hizbullah flag during a performance in London. The specific offence under the Terrorism Act is displaying an item that arouses reasonable suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. The contrast with flag-festooned Northern Ireland is absurd. The PSNI has made just 13 arrests for the same offence in the past 24 years, despite the charge also covering paramilitary-linked clothing and publication of images. Many people have immediately asked why this law is applied differently on either side of the Irish Sea. A question so naive is rarely sincere. The PSNI cannot play flag whack-a-mole around thousands of lamp-posts, putting its officers in danger to little or no end. [ Kneecap review: Mo Chara tells 20,000-strong crowd 'you have no idea how close we were to being pulled off this gig' Opens in new window ] A strong case can be made for taking a stand against egregious breaches of the law, such as flying paramilitary flags beside mixed housing, but using a catch-all terrorism offence may not be the best approach. It might only highlight inconsistency, as the law would still be unenforced everywhere else. Many of those complaining about the charge against Kneecap are republicans comparing it to official indulgence of the Orange marching season or of loyalist paramilitarism. Not everyone seems to appreciate the Terrorism Act also criminalises showing support for the Provisional IRA , potentially including most forms of commemoration. Amendments to the Act in 2006 outlawed 'glorification' of terrorism, 'whether in the past, in the future or generally', where this is intended to encourage support for terrorism today. The realistic route to consistency is to admit a single UK-wide approach has been prematurely applied to Northern Ireland Republicans do not accept this relates to them because loyalist paramilitaries remain active while the IRA has 'gone away'. That is not quite how the law sees it, however: all groups are equally proscribed. Complaints of one-sided treatment may often be insincere, simplistic or partisan, but that only underscores the corrosive effect of inconsistent application of the law. One way to resolve this would be to de-proscribe the Provisional IRA. Unlike Ireland, the UK bases its terrorism laws around a list of banned organisations. There is a statutory process to request removal from the list. A loyalist group attempted this unsuccessfully in 2017 and lawyers in London are seeking the same for Hamas ; among their arguments is a comparison of Hamas to Sinn Féin . Any hint of legalising the Provisional IRA would be enormously contentious, to an extent that could prove counterproductive for political stability. Although de-proscription appears unfeasible for the time being, it is a genuine mystery why the prospect has not been suggested by republicanism. Perhaps acknowledging the IRA's continued existence is too awkward, or seeking British permission for its existence is intolerable. [ EU-UK deal is a gift to unionists. Shame they can't all see it Opens in new window ] The realistic route to consistency is to admit a single UK-wide approach has been prematurely applied to Northern Ireland. The region still requires special treatment, although this is a positive opportunity to craft laws and approaches to the law that reflect present circumstances and help the move away from paramilitarism. That might involve recognising steps towards lawfulness rather than the binary nature of the banned list. Unenforceable offences could be narrowed down to achievable goals – removal of all murals glorifying violence, for example. During the Troubles, counter-terrorism legislation was enacted as temporary and had to be renewed every year. Parts of contemporary law may need to be temporarily suspended until Northern Ireland is ready for them.
The Journal
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
'In the belly of the beast': Here's what the British press thought of Kneecap's London gig
'THEY TRIED TO stop this gig,' Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (aka Mo Chara) proclaimed at the start of Kneecap's festival set in London on Friday night. 'Honestly lads, you've no idea how close we were to being pulled off this gig. Has anybody been watching the news?' You've likely heard the news that the Belfast rapper is referring to – last week, Ó hAnnaidh was formally charged under the UK's Terrorism Act and is scheduled to appear in court on 18 June. Ó hAnnaidh was charged in connection with allegedly displaying a flag supporting Hezbollah during a gig in London last November, according to UK police. The charge follows the circulation of a video of Kneecap's performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. The video drew media attention last month and was later reviewed by police, leading to the launch of a formal investigation and a charge against Ó hAnnaidh. Kneecap have explicitly denied ever supporting Hezbollah or Hamas since the concert video resurfaced. Just days after the charge was announced, Kneecap fans turned out in force on Friday to support the Irish-language hip-hop trio at their biggest ever festival headline gig. Kneecap played on the main stage at Wide Awake Festival in Brockwell Park in London, despite calls from several leading UK politicians for the festival to not allow the Belfast trio to take to the stage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wide Awake (@wideawakeldn) To their critics (of which Kneecap have many in the UK), they're reckless agitators who have finally crossed the line – during Friday's gig, the band joked about appearing 'in the belly of the beast'. Advertisement Despite the widespread criticism that the trio face in the UK, the gig received rave reviews. 'What a craic' The band received four out of five stars in The Guardian's review of the Wide Awake gig. In the review, Kneecap's activism on Gaza was hailed as 'patently heartfelt rather than posturing radical chic'. Despite missing several fadas in the band members' names and ending the review with the line 'what a craic' (just terrible), the Guardian looked fondly on Northern Irish band's activism – and ketamine references – saying that Kneecap are still performing 'loud and proud'. The Telegraph, who previously described Kneecap as 'the pop provacateurs who went too far' and 'bona fide media folk devils', similarly gave the band four out of five stars in their review of the Friday gig. Their review described how Kneecap 'presided over a 90-minute carnival of mayhem, defiance and controversy' in London, adding that the audience was 'one big party'. 'Who would have thought it? The controversies only seem to have fired up Kneecap's supporters,' The Telegraph's James Hall wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) He made sure to separate the art from the artist however, adding: 'I can't defend Kneecap. There's reclaiming your culture and there's saying stupid things, and in trying to do the former they've done a lot of the latter.' The London Evening Standard also awarded the gig four stars, hailing the group as 'irreverent, ambitious and irrefutably themselves'. Describing how the band encouraged the crowd to belt out the chorus to Your Sniffer Dogs are Shite, the review claimed: 'that's ballsy, and those weren't even the most eyebrow-raising lyrics'. Kneecap once again earned four stars from The Times, with the paper's chief rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson stating that the band created an 'historic moment' in front of 20,000 adoring fans on Friday. Highlighting that Kneecap had donated the entirety of their fee from the festival to Médecins Sans Frontières, who have a number of staff aiding people across Gaza, Hodgkinson also described the gig as 'seriously good'. 'Exciting, funny and anarchic, with a rebellious edge that has not been seen in rock or rap for years,' he wrote. 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
