Judge adjourns ruling as Kneecap’s Mo Chara appears in court with Irish language interpreter
Kneecap‘s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh returned to Westminster Magistrates Court today (August 20th) for a second hearing after being charged with a terror offence in May.
Ó hAnnaidh, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert held at the O2 Kentish Town Forum. He previously appeared in court on June 18th and has been ordered to return on September 26th.
Today, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring heard three hours of legal argument between the prosecution and defence.
Following the conclusion of the argument, per the Belfast Telegraph, the judge told the court he is “conscious and anxious” that a “speedy resolution” will be wanted, before adding, “I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks.”
During the hearing, Ó hAnnaidh sat next to an Irish language interpreter in the courtroom after the judge formally permitted his request.
His legal defence, led by Brenda Campbell KC, per the Irish Times, said in court that the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against Ó hAnnaidh when he learned he was facing a terror charge by police on May 21st. Therefore, the defence are looking for the case to be thrown out on a technical ruling.
However, in response, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court: “The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge.”
Ó hAnnaidh, who is yet to enter a plea, has been released on unconditional bail. He is set to return to Westminster Magistrates Court on September 26th.
On August 19th, the Metropolitan Police imposed a Public Order Act “to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside” of Westminster Magistrates Court during today’s hearing.
Kneecap responded on X, writing, “In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome. It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara’s court appearance.”
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