A member of rap trio Kneecap has been launched on unconditional bail after showing in courtroom charged with supporting a proscribed terror organisation – as tons of turned out to assist him exterior.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs underneath the identify Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in assist of Hezbollah at a gig in London in November final yr.
Demonstrators waving flags and holding banners in assist of the rapper greeted him with cheers as he made his approach into Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom on Wednesday morning.
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The rapper was mobbed by supporters and media. Pics: PA
Supported by his Kneecap bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, it took O hAnnaidh greater than a minute to enter the constructing as safety officers labored to usher him inside by way of a crowd of photographers and supporters.
Followers held indicators which learn “Free Mo Chara”, whereas others waved Irish and Palestinian flags.
Because the listening to obtained underneath approach, O hAnnaidh confirmed his identify, date of delivery and handle. An Irish language interpreter was current in courtroom.
Throughout a earlier listening to, prosecutors mentioned the 27-year-old is “well within his rights” to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine battle, however mentioned the alleged incident on the O2 Discussion board in Kentish City was a “wholly different thing”.
O hAnnaidh is but to enter a plea to the cost. He’ll seem in courtroom for an additional listening to on 26 September.
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Bandmates Naoise O Caireallain (pictured, centre) and JJ O Dochartaigh are supporting O hAnnaidh. Pic: Reuters
Who’re Kneecap?
Kneecap put out their first single in 2017 and rose to wider prominence in 2024 after the discharge of their debut album and an eponymously titled movie – a fictionalised retelling of how the band got here collectively and their combat to save lots of the Irish language.
The movie, wherein the trio play themselves and co-star alongside starring Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender, received the BAFTA for excellent debut earlier this yr, for director and author Wealthy Peppiatt.
Final yr, Kneecap received a discrimination case in opposition to the UK authorities after Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award when she was enterprise secretary.
They’re recognized for songs together with H.O.O.D, Fantastic Artwork, and Higher Method To Reside, that includes Fontaines DC frontman Grian Chatten, with lyrics switching between the Irish language and English.
