Kneecap’s Mo Chara’s court case adjourned after argument over ‘technical blunder’

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Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, will have to wait for his judgement on an alleged terror offence.

The rapper, 27, is one of the founding members of the West Belfast hip hop group, which has found itself in the spotlight in recent months.

In May, O’ hAnnaidh was charged over an incident at a gig in the O2, where he’s been accused of displaying a flag in support of the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party, Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK.

The next month, he appeared in the Westminster Magistrate’s Court for the first time, only speaking briefly to confirm his name before being released on bail.

After several hours in court today it was announced that the judge would not be announcing his judgement, despite saying he was ‘conscious and anxious’ that a ‘speedy resolution’ is wanted.

‘I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks,’ he told the court.

The next hearing is to be held on Friday, September 26 at 10am. 

Mo Chara, second right, spoke to supporters as he departed Westminster Magistrates Court (Picture: AP) Kneecap’s Liam Og O hAnnaidh has arrived at court after being charged with a terror offence (Picture: Hannah McKay/ Reuters) He was surrounded by press and supporters (Picture: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)

As he arrived at court, the crowd of supporters clapped and cheered the musician, with many also chanting ‘Free, Free Mo Chara’.

However, he then struggled to make it into the building as security held back a wave of people surrounding O’ hAnnaidh. He was then left stuck in the crowd for a minute as guards tried to get him inside.

His bandmates Naoise Ó Caireallain and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh were also there to show support.

They 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.

He was joined by bandmate Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Picture: Jordan Peck/ Getty Images) DJ Próvaí (J. J. Ó Dochartaigh) was also spotted in the crowd (Picture: Victoria Jones/ Shutterstock) Supporters of the musician gathered outside the court hours before his hearing (Picture: Hannah McKay/ Reuters) Many turned up holding signs declaring ‘Free Mo Chara’ (Picture: James Veysey/ Shutterstock) This supporter made a fun reference to the song Get Your Brits Out (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/ PA Wire)

O ‘hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge.

However, his legal team are arguing that the charge was brought too late and should be thrown out. 

The musician was charged on May 22 this year – just one day after the six-month limit for such charges.

However, 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, as reported by the Belfast Telegraph.

The publication also reported that O ‘hAnnaidh’s legal team told the courtAttorney General Richard Hermer did not officially grant approval when police charged O ‘hAnnaidh with the terrorism-related offence on May 21. 

They argued that consent was given the following day and have been arguing that this was too late, as per the six-month deadline. However, the Crown Prosecution Service is disputing this, instead maintaining the Attorney General’s approval is not required in order to pursue such a charge.

Bands even played in the lead-up to Kneecap arriving (Picture: Justin Tallis/ AFP via Getty Images) The Met Police issued a warning to those attending last night (Picture: James Veysey/ Shutterstock)

In court, prosecutors opposed the defence application to have the case thrown out over a ‘technical blunder’.

Michael Bisgrove, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge.’

It was reported that inside the courtroom, O ‘hAnnaidh sat next to an Irish language interpreter. This was a request made in June, and one of the first issues addressed this morning.

Those in the courtroom reported that he exited the dock and sat next to the interpreter throughout the proceedings.

Before his hearing, the London Irish Brigade had organised a ‘Fenian Fleadh’, during which speakers and artists appeared to ‘keep the craic going while we raise our voices in solidarity with Liam Óg’ outside the court.

Last night, the Metropolitan Police issued a warning to those planning to be in the vicinity of the court this morning.

Kneecap has called the charge a ‘farce’ (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/ PA Wire)

Sharing a map showing designated areas, it explained: ‘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.’

Soon after the band re-shared the post, calling the move a ‘distraction’.

‘We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is,’ they wrote.

‘It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support. In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome.

‘It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara’s court appearance. There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right-wing media. We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful. Free Palestine.’

The band have been cut from festivals in recent months (Picture: Andy Ryan/ EPA)

On the same night, the band were supported by their local community in West Belfast, with a mural unveiled showing support for O’ hAnnaidh, Kneecap and Palestine.

‘West Belfast knows political policing. West Belfast knows colonialism. West Belfast knows solidarity,’ the band captioned their post sharing an image of the artwork.

At the time of Ó hAnnaidh’s arrest, the band issued a statement which said they would ‘vehemently defend ourselves’ and claimed they were being targeted with ‘political policing’.

‘Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it,’ it continued.

‘We stand proudly with the people. You stand complicit with the war criminals. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in court. We will win. Free Palestine.’

After the band performed at Glastonbury Festival in June, they became the subjects of a police investigation into statements made during their set, however soon after the probe was dropped.

They were then recently banned from entering Hungary for three years (Picture: Yui Mok/ PA Wire)

Despite this they’ve continued to face backlash, including being banned from Hungary for three years, which was announced just weeks before they’d been due to play Sziget Festival in Budapest.

Responding to the ban, the band said it was ‘outrageous’ and ‘no legal basis for the action’.

‘It’s clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.

The band have repeatedly shut down claims they support Hamas and have denied accusations of anti-Semitism.

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