the Kneecap rapper’s terror case dismissed?
The terror case Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s currently facing has been dismissed due to a technicality on the charge levelled against him in the first place. He was accused after during a concert at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London in November 2024, he allegedly raised a flag in support of the terrorist organization Hezbollah.
The 27 year old who goes by the stage name as Mo Chara denied the accusation whereas he claims it is a political attack. In the Woolwich Crown Court the Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh is ‘unlawful’ and ‘null’
Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s defence put forth that the charge is not valid due to the fact it was not brought forth within a 6 month time frame. In explaining his reasoning, the chief magistrate said, “In my view there has been a total failure to initiate these proceedings in the form that is required and a total failing of the DPP and AG as to the required consent been obtained within the six month time frame.”
Winning the case, he added, the court had ‘no jurisdiction to try the charge’. At the time the ruling was given, the court was filled with applause.
In the words of Jude Bunting, whose court pronouncement refers to the flawed character of the case: “In our opinion, the case was just as flawed as it was, unjust in every possible manner.” All while the parents of Mr. Ó hAnnaidh, who have not attended court in a long time, praised him, fondly telling him they were “happy” the ordeal was done.
The crux of the matters: ‘Always About Gaza’?
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After the hearing, Mr. Ó hAnnaidh mentioned: “The whole procedure was not centered on me in any way.”
Even the whole purported concern for the members of the public was not tangential to terrorism. “The term used by the state to demonize people who they have subjugated. It was always about Gaza, it was about the price you pay when you attempt to raise your voice. There is nothing wrong in saying that your attempts in silencing us have failed, not because of the endeavor, but the fact that the narrative is morally justifiable.”
‘We have won’.
Band member Móglaí Bap in a statement to BBC News NI directly said that they “have won” in the overwhelmingly positive feeling they have: “happy this is done, we can talk about Palestine and stop talking about Kneecap.”
The associated statement made by Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert on social media was equally definitive in its outcome: “We have won. “Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not.”
The outlook of the much scrutinized ordinance was felt in the statement made by First Minister Michelle O’Neill.”Her post on X read, “With these charges, there is a deliberate effort to integrate silence to those who come out and denounce the ongoing slaughter by Israel on Gaza.”
“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) claimed they were ‘taking the court’s decision seriously’ but also stated the verdict is open to challenge,” noted the verdict is appealable
A spokesperson for the Metro Police stated, “We understand the court’s decision on this case and how it relates to the law. We will liaise with the CPS to see how this decision affects us and how it might influence the handling of such cases in the future.’”
