This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c939v4kw2l4o
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh: Kneecap rapper bailed on terror charge | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh: Kneecap rapper bailed on terror charge |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arriving in court on Wednesday morning | Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arriving in court on Wednesday morning |
| A decision over whether a member of rap group Kneecap will stand trial for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, at a London gig last year, has been postponed. | A decision over whether a member of rap group Kneecap will stand trial for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, at a London gig last year, has been postponed. |
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was met by a large crowd of supporters - many with Palestinian flags. | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was met by a large crowd of supporters - many with Palestinian flags. |
| 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. |
| He told the gathered crowd after the appearance, that the case was a "distraction" from what was happening in Gaza. | He told the gathered crowd after the appearance, that the case was a "distraction" from what was happening in Gaza. |
| "We know this story is more than just about me and more than Kneecap – this is a story about Palestine and us as a distraction from the real story," he added. | |
| The chief magistrate said he would make a decision on whether Mr Ó hAnnaidh would stand trial on 26 September. | The chief magistrate said he would make a decision on whether Mr Ó hAnnaidh would stand trial on 26 September. |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of proceedings and sat beside an Irish language interpreter. | Mr Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of proceedings and sat beside an Irish language interpreter. |
| The court heard three hours of legal arguments around whether the charge was brought within the six month time limit. | The court heard three hours of legal arguments around whether the charge was brought within the six month time limit. |
| His defence team are seeking to throw the case out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. | His defence team are seeking to throw the case out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. |
| 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) | 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) |
| Brenda Campbell KC told the court 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. | Brenda Campbell KC told the court 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. |
| Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance. | Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance. |
| Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said he would make a ruling on the matter in a number of weeks' time. | Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said he would make a ruling on the matter in a number of weeks' time. |
| The case was adjourned and the defendant was released on continuing unconditional bail. | The case was adjourned and the defendant was released on continuing unconditional bail. |
| He has been on unconditional bail since his first court appearance in June. | He has been on unconditional bail since his first court appearance in June. |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh (middle) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance | Mr Ó hAnnaidh (middle) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance |
| As the rapper arrived at court large crowd gathered outside, with supporters holding signs which read "Free Mo Chara" while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival. | As the rapper arrived at court large crowd gathered outside, 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, referring to a map showing a designated area 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, referring to a map showing a designated area outside the court. |
| 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. |