THE lead singer of rap trio Kneecap was mobbed by supporters as he arrived at court accused of a terrorism offence – before being bailed.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
GettyLiam Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning[/caption]
ReutersKneecap member, DJ Provai, is mobbed by fans outside the court[/caption]
PAKneecap’s Naoise O Caireallain cheers as he’s surrounded by fans[/caption]
The 27-year-old appeared this morning at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20 when legal argument will be dealt with.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him he must attend court on that day. He received a round of applause outside the courtroom after the short hearing.
He was charged following the alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London.
Summarising the allegations against O hAnnaidh, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court: “It’s not about Mr O hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.
“He’s well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else.
“The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’.
“Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other.
“So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.”
He told the court O hAnnaidh, who appeared on the court list as Liam O’Hanna, is “well within his rights” to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians.
Wearing a dark zip up jacket and trousers, O hAnnaidh, who appeared on the court list as Liam O’Hanna, spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing.
He was wearing sunglasses and a keffiyeh as he left the court.
O hAnnaidh and his fellow members Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh, were greeted by loud cheers and chants of “Free Palestine” from the hundreds of people waiting outside.
Prior to the hearing, they had arrived to a scrum of their supporters who cheered as their vehicle pulled up.
However, pro-Israel demonstrators also held a counter protest, with police keeping both groups separate.
The band were wearing “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts as they arrived at the central London court.
The members of Kneecap walked up the stairs of the court and looked over the balcony, smiling and giving a thumbs up to their hundreds of supporters gathered outside.
A crowd of supporters had surged around the entrance as the band arrived, with some also entering the lobby.
‘Witch hunt’
Kneecap described the prosecution as a “witch hunt” in a post on X on Tuesday evening.
The post including a short video which appeared to show a billboard that had been displayed in London with the words “more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara”.
Supporters began to gather outside the court building on Wednesday morning holding placards saying “Free Mo Chara” and “Defend Kneecap”.
A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan “More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara”.
Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support, said: “I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.”
Copywriter Victoria Ashworth travelled from her home in Brighton with her daughter Lily to attend the protest.
ReutersO hAnnaidh waves to fans outside the court[/caption]
EPAThe rapper sits in a taxi after he left the court[/caption]
ReutersProtesters blocking the road[/caption]
Ms Ashworth, 53, said: “I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.”
Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which prompted boos, swearing and shouts of “free Palestine“.
The crowd became animated and shouted “Israel is a terrorist state” and “take him out for his own safety” as he made gestures and argued with protesters.
Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed.
The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online.
In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth.
Kneecap said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
PAOg O Hannaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbolla[/caption]
EPAPro-Israel protesters try to counter-protest[/caption]
ReutersPolice officers take away a counter-protestor carrying an Israeli flag[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
