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| Kneecap: Rapper released on unconditional bail over terror charge | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known as Mo Chara, leaving Westminster court in central London | |
| A Kneecap rapper has been released on unconditional bail after appearing in a London court on a terror charge. | |
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, is accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, is accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. |
| The 27-year-old, who performs under the name Mo Chara, arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). | The 27-year-old, who performs under the name Mo Chara, arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). |
| Supporters of the Irish language hip-hop group offered a round of applause outside a court in London on Wednesday, after the appearance. | |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh will appear at court for the next hearing on 20 August. | |
| The Chief Magistrate told him he must attend court on that day. | |
| The judge asked whether or not Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh needed an Irish interpreter to be present in court. | |
| The judge said: "We were going to have one today, but I will be blunt. We couldn't find one." | |
| In court, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: "This case is not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh, support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel." | |
| He told the court Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is "well within his rights" to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians. | |
| Defence lawyer Brenda Campbell KC said: "This is a simple issue. This court has no jurisdiction." | |
| The court room was full and court staff had to bring in more seats for journalists. | |
| Inside the court were representatives of the Irish language lobby and politicians John Finucane and Paul Maskey. | |
| One of the people protesting outside Westminster court ahead of the hearing of Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh | One of the people protesting outside Westminster court ahead of the hearing of Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh |
| In a statement, posted on social media in May, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." | |
| The band arrived at court on Wednesday wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts. | The band arrived at court on Wednesday wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts. |
| Musicians, supporters, and activists crowded outside court. | |
| Large green flags saying "Free Speech, Free Palestine" are also on display. | Large green flags saying "Free Speech, Free Palestine" are also on display. |
| A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after a van drove past displaying the slogan "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara". | A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after a van drove past displaying the slogan "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara". |
| The slogan is a spin on a well-known discriminatory phrase found outside some UK boarding houses from the 1950s. | |
| Kneecap said it had "plastered" London with messages of support for its band member. | Kneecap said it had "plastered" London with messages of support for its band member. |
| Fellow band member Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) | Fellow band member Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) |
| A large crowd outside the court in London on Wednesday | A large crowd outside the court in London on Wednesday |
| Who are Kneecap? | Who are Kneecap? |
| Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. | Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. |
| The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. | The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. |
| Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. | Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. |
| The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí | The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí |
| The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025. | The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025. |
| In April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella. | In April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella. |
| In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant. | In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant. |