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| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh: Kneecap rapper appears in court on terror charge | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh: Kneecap rapper appears in court on terror charge |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrives in court | Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrives in court |
| A member of rap group Kneecap is appearing in court in London for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a London gig last year. | A member of rap group Kneecap is appearing in court in London for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a London gig last year. |
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was met by a large crowd of supporters - many with Palestinian flags - as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was met by a large crowd of supporters - many with Palestinian flags - as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. |
| The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denies the charge and claims the case is "political" and intended to silence Kneecap. | The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denies the charge and claims the case is "political" and intended to silence Kneecap. |
| It was brought after the Metropolitan Police studied video footage. | It was brought after the Metropolitan Police studied video footage. |
| A large crowd of people arrived to support Mr Ó hAnnaidh, with signs saying "free Mo Chara" and Seaseann Muid Le Liam Óg (We stand with Liam Óg) | |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of proceedings. | |
| He is sitting in court beside an Irish language interpreter. | |
| The hearing has been dealing with legal arguments. | |
| He has been on unconditional bail since his first court appearance in June. | |
| A large crowd has gathered outside court, with supporters holding signs which read "Free Mo Chara" while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival. | A large crowd has gathered outside court, with supporters holding signs which read "Free Mo Chara" while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival. |
| Band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) and the band's manager accompanied him. | Band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) and the band's manager accompanied him. |
| On Tuesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said they "imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest" outside the court. | On Tuesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said they "imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest" outside the court. |
| Any protest in support of Mr Ó hAnnaidh and "aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area" they said in a post on social media. | Any protest in support of Mr Ó hAnnaidh and "aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area" they said in a post on social media. |
| In a social media post, the band said the "police action is designed to try to portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome". | In a social media post, the band said the "police action is designed to try to portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome". |
| It thanked supporters and urged them to comply "with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful". | It thanked supporters and urged them to comply "with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful". |
| 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 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. |