Kelly Bonner and Barry O’ConnorBBC News NI
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh said he “won’t be silenced”
The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.
He was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024.
The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denied the charge and has described it as political.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Woolwich Crown Court that the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh was “unlawful” and “null”.
Mr Ó hAnnaidh’s defence had argued that the charge was not brought within the six-month time limit.
In his judgement the chief magistrate outlined that permission was not given to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to consent to the prosecution until 22 May, a day after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged.
If 22 May was considered to the be the date of the charge, that was six months and a day after London gig where the offence allegedly happened.
Outlining the reasons for his decision, the chief magistrate said: “I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and AG (Attorney General) consent within the six-month statutory time limit.”
He said the court had “no jurisdiction to try the charge”.
The court erupted into applause as the ruling was handed down.
Jude Bunting KC told the court: “This case was every bit unjustified as it was flawed”.
As Mr Ó hAnnaidh left the court, his parents hugged him and said they were “delighted” it was over.
PA Media
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaving court on Friday
‘Always about Gaza’
Outside the court, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: “This entire process was never about me.
“It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism – a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress.
“It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up.
“Your attempts to silence us have failed because we’re right and you’re wrong.”
Reuters
Kneecap arriving at Woolwich Crown Court earlier
‘We have won’
Band member Móglaí Bap told BBC News NI that they are “feeling great”.
“Happy this is done, we can talk about Palestine and stop talking about Kneecap,” he said.
In a post on social media, Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert said: “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.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed the ruling.
“These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza,” she posted on X.
The CPS said it was “reviewing the decision of the court carefully”.
It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of the decision by the court in relation to this case.
“We will work with the CPS to understand the potential implications of this ruling for us and how that might impact on the processing of such cases in the future.”
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Mr Ó hAnnaidh (centre) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance in June
