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| Kneecap rapper Mo Chara's terror case thrown out | Kneecap rapper Mo Chara's terror case thrown out |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh said he "won't be silenced" | |
| The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. | The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. |
| He was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024. | He was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024. |
| The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denied the charge and has described it as political. | The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denied the charge and has described it as political. |
| Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Woolwich Crown Court that the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh was "unlawful" and "null". | Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Woolwich Crown Court that the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh was "unlawful" and "null". |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh's defence had argued that the charge was not brought within the six-month time limit. | Mr Ó hAnnaidh's defence had argued that the charge was not brought within the six-month time limit. |
| In his judgement the chief magistrate outlined that permission was not given to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to consent to the prosecution until 22 May, a day after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged. | In his judgement the chief magistrate outlined that permission was not given to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to consent to the prosecution until 22 May, a day after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged. |
| Outlining the reasons for his decision, the chief magistrate said: "I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and AG (Attorney General) consent within the six-month statutory time limit." | Outlining the reasons for his decision, the chief magistrate said: "I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and AG (Attorney General) consent within the six-month statutory time limit." |
| The police failed to ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in time to charge him. | The police failed to ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in time to charge him. |
| He said the court had "no jurisdiction to try the charge". | He said the court had "no jurisdiction to try the charge". |
| The court erupted into applause as the ruling was handed down. | The court erupted into applause as the ruling was handed down. |
| Jude Bunting KC told the court: "This case was every bit unjustified as it was flawed". | Jude Bunting KC told the court: "This case was every bit unjustified as it was flawed". |
| As Mr Ó hAnnaidh left the court, his parents hugged him and said they were "delighted" it was over. | As Mr Ó hAnnaidh left the court, his parents hugged him and said they were "delighted" it was over. |
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaving court on Friday | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaving court on Friday |
| 'Always about Gaza' | 'Always about Gaza' |
| Outside the court, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: "This entire process was never about me. | Outside the court, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: "This entire process was never about me. |
| "It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism – a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress. | "It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism – a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress. |
| "It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up. | "It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up. |
| "Your attempts to silence us have failed because we're right and you're wrong." | "Your attempts to silence us have failed because we're right and you're wrong." |
| Kneecap arriving at Woolwich Crown Court earlier | Kneecap arriving at Woolwich Crown Court earlier |
| 'We have won' | 'We have won' |
| Band member Móglaí Bap told BBC News NI that they are "feeling great". | Band member Móglaí Bap told BBC News NI that they are "feeling great". |
| "Happy this is done, we can talk about Palestine and stop talking about Kneecap," he said. | "Happy this is done, we can talk about Palestine and stop talking about Kneecap," he said. |
| In a post on social media, Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert said: "We have won. | In a post on social media, Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert said: "We have won. |
| "Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. | "Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. |
| "Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not." | "Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not." |
| First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the ruling. | First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the ruling. |
| "These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza," she posted on X. | "These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza," she posted on X. |
| The CPS said it was "reviewing the decision of the court carefully". | The CPS said it was "reviewing the decision of the court carefully". |
| It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against. | It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against. |
| A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the decision by the court in relation to this case. | A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the decision by the court in relation to this case. |
| "We will work with the CPS to understand the potential implications of this ruling for us and how that might impact on the processing of such cases in the future." | "We will work with the CPS to understand the potential implications of this ruling for us and how that might impact on the processing of such cases in the future." |
| Who are Kneecap? | Who are Kneecap? |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh (centre) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance in June | Mr Ó hAnnaidh (centre) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance in June |
| 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. |