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Sunday World
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Kneecap rapper Mo Chara can make history at London court hearing
Kneecap rapper's possible use of interpreter would be a first for UK The issue was raised when the Belfast rapper, accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig, appeared at Westminster Magistrate's Court in June. The presiding magistrate said the court couldn't find an Irish language translator, which led to laughter in the courtroom as bandmate DJ Próvaí acts as an interpreter in the band's Bafta-winning semi-autobiographical movie. Mo Chara (27) – real name Liam Ó hAnnaidh – has indicated he'll ask for a translator at his next court appearance, and Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) director Daniel Holder says it could make legal history. Kneecap Irish is recognised in UK law as a minority language, and the rapper could argue he wants to use Irish as his right to freedom of expression without discrimination. 'If you have a case where someone is charged with a criminal offence and they do not understand English it is part of their right to a fair trial that they have an interpreter,' says Daniel. Clearly 'Now that is clearly not the circumstance here because Mo Chara does speak and understand English. 'However, the question would arise, as this is an Irish-speaking artist who does all his stuff through Irish which is probably the home language, there is a fairly strong argument that in order for Mo Chara as a defendant to have freedom of expression without discrimination on the basis of language that he should be allowed to address the court in Irish. 'The issue is whether the court will permit that or not. That's what I don't think has been decided yet.' In Wales, cases can be heard in Welsh and in UK courts its commonplace for defendants to be provided with an interpreter if they don't speak English. But Mo Chara's case could be the first time an Irish language interpreter has been allowed by a court. Daniel Holder 'It would be very significant. Certainly I've never heard of another case whereby Irish is allowed to be spoken through an interpreter,' says Daniel. 'In terms of an English court I'm not aware of any other case where this has happened.' The human rights expert says appointing an interpreter could also make the court appearance less stressful for the Belfast performer. 'I know these are very high-profile artists but appearing in court is quite an emotive, highly-charged situation in all circumstances so speaking in your indigenous language that you're most comfortable in is something the court would hopefully consider and through an interpreter would ensure that everyone understood what was going on.' He says the translation service in courts is formalised and professional. 'If it was an interpreter it couldn't be someone's mate. 'In London there are bound to be qualified Irish language interpreters. They just won't be used to doing court work as the situation probably doesn't arise very often,' says Daniel. In Northern Ireland the use of Irish in courts and in court documents was banned under a 1737 law. The Language and Identity Act, brought in by Westminster in 2022, makes statutory provision to repeal the ban, but this has not yet been triggered. In a CAJ-backed tribunal last year, members of Conradh na Gaeilge and several witnesses introduced themselves to the hearing in Irish, the first time it had been spoken in a courtroom since Northern Ireland was founded. 'Obviously, there will have been occasions in the past where people have said things in Irish in court without being granted permission to do so, but on this occasion a member of Conradh na Gaeilge was the first person since the establishment of Northern Ireland to address the court in Irish, and for the first time possibly since the ban,' says Daniel. And if Mo Chara chooses to use an interpreter it will not influence his case. 'There is no prejudice to the court in doing it. Other than the short additional time it takes to do interpreting, which is routine in cases where someone doesn't speak English. 'It remains to be seen whether the court will permit it or not,' he says. Mo Chara, who was accompanied to court by band members Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, has been released on unconditional bail. His next court hearing is on August 20. Mo Chara is back before the judge next month News in 90 Seconds - Monday July 14th
ITV News
17-05-2025
- ITV News
Three Iranian men living in London charged with National Security Act offences
Three Iranian men living in London have been charged with offences under the National Security Act following an investigation by counter terror police. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John's Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrate's Court on Saturday. They were arrested on May 3 under Section 27 of the National Security Act and all three were charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025. Sepahvand was also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK. Manesh and Noori have also been charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others. Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'These are extremely serious charges under the National Security Act, which have come about following what has been a very complex and fast-moving investigation. "Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the CPS to reach this point. "We have been in contact with the individuals directly affected, and we continue to provide them with support. "Now that these men have been charged I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.' A fourth man, arrested on May 9 as part of the investigation, was released without charge on Thursday, May 15.
Al Bawaba
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Russell Brand out on bail: Faces rape and assault charges from four women
ALBAWABA - Russell Brand appears in court, granted bail amid ongoing legal proceedings. Following the charges of rape and sexual assault that were brought against him a month ago, the British comedian and actor Russell Brand was granted conditional bail during a court hearing, which took place on Friday. Brand, who is 49 years old, faced a total of four counts of sexual assault, one offense of rape, one count of indecent assault, and one count of oral rape. They also brought two counts of sexual assault against him. The allegations pertain to four different women in all. It is believed that the incidents occurred between the years 1999 and 2005. The claims have been refuted by him. The hearing, which took place before Westminster Magistrate's Court in London, provided additional information regarding the claims that Brand is currently facing. Brand's primary purpose in speaking was to verify his identity, date of birth, and residence, as well as to ensure that he was aware of the terms of his bond. TOPSHOT - British actor and comedian Russell Brand (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP) The date of his appearance at the Old Bailey court in the capital of the United Kingdom is now set for May 30. During the announcement of the charges in April, the Metropolitan Police stated that Brand makes his home in the southern region of England. On the other hand, the British news agency PA Media has claimed in the past that it is currently believed that he resides in the United States. Detectives began their investigation into the comedian in September 2023 after receiving claims from a collaborative investigation led by three British media outlets—The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4's "Dispatches." The comic has recently recast himself as a social critic. According to the Metropolitan Police, it is alleged that one woman was sexually assaulted in the year 1999 in Bournemouth, which is located in southern England; one woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of London in the year 2001; one woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in Westminster in the year 2004; and one woman was sexually assaulted between the years 2004 and 2005, also in Westminster. In addition to hosting radio and television shows in the United Kingdom, Brand has made appearances in a number of films produced in Hollywood. Katy Perry, a popular singer from the United States, was his wife from 2010 to 2012.
