Kneecap member Mo Chara – real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – was greeted by hundreds of fans and supporters as he arrived for his second court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.
Fans held signs which read “Free Mo Chara”, while others waved Palestine and Irish flags and chanted “Free, free Mo Chara.”
He was also joined by his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh.
Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year.
During the three-hour hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error. Defence counsel Brenda Campbell KC told the court that 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 21 May. However, Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance.
Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said the case was adjourned.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has yet to enter a plea but denied wrongdoing. He has once again been released on unconditional bail (similarly to his first court appearance in June) and now faces a month-long wait to find out whether his terrorism charge will be thrown out.
He will appear in court again on 26 September.
Speaking outside the courts today, Mo Chara thanked supporters for coming and said: “We know this story is more than just about me. It’s more than Kneecap; this is a story about Palestine and us as a distraction from the real story."
He added: “We know, unfortunately, this story will end up in the media today, while Israel commits genocide at the same time. So, everybody, continue to speak about Palestine. Free Palestine.”
On Tuesday evening, the Metropolitan Police issued Public Order Act conditions for today’s court date.
The conditions were being enacted to “prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest” outside the court, stated the Metropolitan Police.
Kneecap reacted to these Public Order Act conditions, writing on X: “We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is. It is a 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.”
Their post continued: “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.”
