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Supporters of the rap group Kneecap convened outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London ahead of an appeal hearing concerning the dismissal of a terrorism charge against one of the band’s members. The UK government is challenging the September 2025 ruling that had nullified the case against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh on procedural grounds related to how the prosecution was initiated. The charge stems from an incident in November 2024, when Ó hAnnaidh, also known by his stage name Mo Chara, allegedly displayed a flag supporting the proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a concert in Kentish Town, London. He has consistently denied the allegations, describing the case as politically motivated.
On the morning of the appeal, supporters arrived carrying Irish tricolours, Palestinian flags, and placards expressing their backing. Inside the court, which was small and required adding extra seating to accommodate the public, a number of notable figures were present including Sinn Féin MPs John Finucane and Paul Maskey, along with Kneecap’s band manager Dan Lambert and DJ Provai, an associate of the group. The atmosphere reflected strong solidarity for Ó hAnnaidh’s cause. Speaking outside the court, John Finucane affirmed his support, stating, “We will continue continue to stand with Liam we will continue to stand on the right side of history.”
The original dismissal of the charge hinged on timing issues. According to Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring’s ruling in September at Woolwich Crown Court, the prosecution was deemed “unlawful” and “null” because the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not grant permission to proceed until 22 May—one day after Ó hAnnaidh was charged—and this date exceeded the six-month legal limit following the alleged offence. Importantly, the decision did not address the underlying merits of the charge itself. The upcoming hearing focuses on the legal dispute between the DPP and Ó hAnnaidh, with the prosecution asserting that the charge was properly brought before Ó hAnnaidh’s initial court appearance on 18 June 2025.
Following the dismissal, the Crown Prosecution Service announced in October 2025 that it would appeal the ruling, citing the need to clarify “an important point of law.” Kneecap criticized the decision to appeal, calling it a “massive waste of taxpayers money, of police time, of court time,” and condemned the process as politically driven. They stated the appeal represented “political policing” and argued there was “no important point of law,” describing the case as part of a “state wide witch-hunt against Palestinian solidarity.” Their legal team maintains that the appeal lacks any sound legal basis, reinforcing their view that the whole prosecution is unjustified
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