A Kneecap rapper accused of waving a Hezbollah flag at a gig has appeared in court, aided by an Irish language interpreter.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of the terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
He was charged with a terrorism offence following the alleged incident during the concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town ‘in such a way or in such a circumstance as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation’.
He arrived wearing a keffiyeh and an all-black outfit. In court, he removed a cap and sunglasses before sitting beside an interpreter outside the dock.
Mr Ó hAnnaidh had requested to have an interpreter present, which was approved by the judge.
He spoke – during the hearing in English – to confirm his name, date of birth and address, while the public gallery was filled with dozens of the band’s supporters.
During the hearing, Kneecap’s defence lawyers argued that the terror charge against rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh should be thrown out due to a technical error.
Speaking at Westminster Magistrates Court they claim that the Attorney General Richard Hermer did not officially grant formal approval when police charged Mr Ó hAnnaidh with a terrorism-related offence on May 21.
Instead, they say his consent was given the next day – one day outside of a six-month deadline to bring about a criminal charge.
They say this means the court cannot lawfully assume jurisdiction over the proceedings.
Speaking to the court, KC Brenda Campbell said: ‘Rather than accept their failings, what we are witnessing [from the prosecution] this morning is a last-ditch attempt to bend the limit of statute – it is egregious.
‘It does not stand up to scrutiny.’
But Michael Bisgrove, for the Crown Prosecution Service, opposes the application – claiming that the charge was brought exactly within the time limit and that the Attorney General’s consent is not required to bring about a criminal charge.
Michael Bisgrove said: ‘The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge’
Magistrate Judge Paul Goldspring told Mr Ó hAnnaidh he must return to court on September 26, alongside his Irish language interpreter, where he will rule whether he has jurisdiction to actually hear the case.
The defendant was granted unconditional bail in the meantime.
Before the hearing, the rap band urged their admirers to ‘show up for Kneecap’ outside Westminster Magistrates Court.
As the band arrived at the court just after 9.30am, the crowd erupted into cheers and shouts as some of the members concealed their faces with red, black and white Keffiyeh scarves on their way in.
The 27-year-old entered the court building as security officers attempted to usher him through the front entrance.
In a series of Instagram infographics, the band said: ‘The attack on Mo Chara of Kneecap is part of a broader crackdown on solidarity with Palestine.
‘British terrorism legislation was first brought in against the Irish liberation struggle.
‘Today it is being used to repress and censor all those who stand with Palestine, against British support for Zionism.
‘Defend the right to defend Palestine.’
Fans who gathered outside the courts were seen waving Irish and Palestinian flags while holding signs stating: ‘Free Mo Chara’, ‘F*** you Netanyahu’ and ‘Kneecap: Rap for what is right’.
Many protesters were also draped in keffiyehs, while others were seen sporting high-vis vests.
At the centre of the demonstration, campaigners erected a stage for performances of music as well as speeches.
Meanwhile, dozens of police officers arrived outside the courtroom at around 9am while the crowds chanted ‘free, free Palestine’ and ‘free, free Mo Chara’.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place, saying they are needed to ‘prevent serious disruption’.
In response, Kneecap described this move as a ‘calculated political decision’ that was ‘designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome’.
But it added: ‘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.’