Court adjourns at Mo Chara hearing with new date next month

KNEECAP member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's court appearance in London today has concluded, with judgment reserved until September 26.

Ó hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, was charged with terrorism for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag at a November 2024 concert. The band said the flag was thrown on stage and denied supporting Hezbollah. They argued that the charges are politically motivated for their criticism of Israel's occupation of Gaza and of British presence in Ireland.

After a hearing in June, Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail and appeared at the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London for legal arguments today. His legal team includes Gareth Peirce, Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh and Darragh Mackin. Arguing against them is the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Judge Paul Goldspring is residing.

The judge at the June hearing said unsuccessful requests were made to have an Irish language interpreter present in the court. However, an interpreter was formally permitted in today's hearing and was reportedly the first matter of business in the proceedings.

At the beginning of the proceedings, Judge Goldspring asked Ó Annaidh’s legal team about the extent to which the interpreter would be required, to which a representative said the interpreter would be required "when needed, but consistently." The judge said the court layout was not ideal for the interpreter's work, and advised Ó hAnnaidh to move from the dock to the main courtroom seating to sit next to the interpreter.

Love Music Hate Racism organised "Defend KNEECAP, Drop the Charges" demonstration outside Westminster Magistrates' Court for before and during the hearing, featuring various speeches and musical performances.

Ahead of the trial, the Metropolitan Police imposed conditions on where supporters were allowed to demonstrate "to prevent serious disruption being caused" according to a post on X.

KNEECAP described the restrictions as a "calculated political decision...designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome." Albeit, the band did advise supporters to "go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful."

We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is.

It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support.

In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as… https://t.co/KoMAtkydqG

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 19, 2025

North Belfast MP John Finucane addressed the crowd ahead of the band's appearance, saying, "We will be here tomorrow, we will be here next week, we will be here next month. We will be here as long as is necessary, with one clear voice and one clear message, free Palestine, free Mo Chara. Tiochfaidh ar lá."

Ó hAnnaidh arrived at the Westminster Magistrates' Court shortly after 9:30 a.m., met with crowds shouting "Free Mo Chara," holding signs expressing solidarity with the rapper and waving Irish and Palestinian flags. He was ushered through the crowd by security alongside bandmate Naoise Ó Caireallain (Móglaí Bap) and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Provaí).

Ó hAnnaidh took the court around 11:00 a.m.. His legal team launched an application for the charge of supporting a proscribed terror group to be dismissed, due to how and when the charge was first brought.

The defence said the charge was brought on too late — placing the date at May 22, 2025, one day after the six-month limit for such charges — and should be thrown out.

The prosecution claimed the charge was brought on May 21, just within the limit. They cited court documents issuing a "notice of criminal charge" Ó hAnnaid on May 21, ordering him to appear in court on the morning of June 18.

However, the next evening, a CPS terrorism prosecutor emailed Ó hAnnaid's solicitor saying that the charge was being reissued, with a new notice dated May 22 attached.

Under the Terrorism Act, a criminal case only legally begins once the formal paperwork (official written charge and court summons) is issued, rather than when a suspect is first taken into custody or questioned. Prosecutors are given six months after the date of the alleged offence or when the offence was revealed to start their proceedings.

According to Ó hAnnaidh's defence, this means the May 21 notice did not count as the official charge or court summons because it lacked the necessary consent for prosecution from Attorney General Richard Hermer. Thus, the case would have officially begun on May 22, one day after the six-month statute.

Ó hAnnaidh's defence argued that the Attorney General did not officially grant approval when police issued the May 21 notice Ó hAnnaidh and that consent was given the following day for the May 22 notice, implying the charge would have been formally brought too late. Defence barrister Ní Ghrálaigh said, "in context of the Terrorism Act…proceedings were instituted when the written charge and requisition [court summons] was issued."

Prosecutors contested that the Attorney General's approval is not necessary to bring a charge, and the first notice puts the official date of the charge at May 21. They claim that if the Attorney General's consent is required for the official paperwork, the reissued notice on May 22 was a continuation of the previous day's notice and thus is still valid. Michael Bisgrove, CPS persecutor, said, "The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge."

The defence called such an argument "unsustainable" and an attempt to stretch the limit of statute beyond what is reasonable.

After several hours of legal argument, Judge Goldspring said he is "conscious and anxious" that a "speedy resolution" will be wanted for both parties.

"I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks," Goldspring said. His judgment on the legal arguments will determine whether a plea is required and if a full trial is to go ahead.

The next hearing is to be held on Friday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m..

After exiting the court, KNEECAP and their manager Daniel Lambert addressed the crowd, saying, "Keep talking about Palestine, this is just a distraction." Lambert urged demonstrators to show their support again at the September hearing.

KNEECAP later posted on X to thank supporters, writing, "A massive GRMA to everyone who came out to support us as their carnival of distraction rolls on" with a video of their speech attached.

A massive GRMA to everyone who came out to support us as their carnival of distraction rolls on.

We will be back on September 26th for the Court to determine jurisdiction. We have set out why it does not.

Kneecap is not the story.

Palestine is the story.

The British… pic.twitter.com/YxqA1aenbP

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 20, 2025