The terrorism charges against Mo Chara of the group Kneecap were brought to court today on appeal, with musician Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh awaiting the verdict. He was accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organization Hezbollah during a performance at O2 Forum in Kentish Town in November 2024.
Last year, the case was dismissed due to technicalities by chief magistrate Paul Goldspring, who deemed the proceedings as “unlawfully instituted.” The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) later decided to appeal, citing the need for clarification on an important legal point. Despite this, Ó hAnnaidh and the band remain steadfast in their opposition to the appeal, expressing confidence in their victory.
The High Court, as reported by PA, has concluded the CPS’s appeal against the decision to dismiss the terrorism case. The judgment will be shared online, with Lord Justice Edis stating that they will reserve their decision. The outcome will be published digitally without the need for another hearing.
Jude Bunting KC, representing Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, highlighted that the technical errors leading to the dismissal of the terrorism charge were due to human mistakes. The issue revolved around the timing of seeking permission from the Attorney General before charging Ó hAnnaidh, which fell outside the legal timeframe for bringing criminal charges.
The hearing at the High Court, presided over by Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden, is expected to conclude on Wednesday, with a decision to be announced at a later date. Both sides presented their arguments, with the CPS asserting the validity of the proceedings and the defense maintaining the correctness of the earlier ruling.
Supporters of Kneecap have gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, showing solidarity with the band. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Kneecap remains resolute in their stance against the charges, labeling the appeal as a misuse of resources and expressing determination to prevail in court once again.