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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories A prominent defence team has been recruited to represent Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (pictured).Alamy Kneecap recruits prominent Irish lawyers ahead of band member's alleged terror offences trial Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of alleged terror offences. 6.35pm, 13 Jun 2025 Share options RAP GROUP KNEECAP has recruited a team of prominent human rights and criminal defence lawyers ahead of a trial in which one of its members accused of alleged terror offences. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged over the alleged display of a flag in support of militant group Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November last year. The 27-year-old Belfast native is to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Ó hAnnaidh has not spoken individually since the charge was confirmed, but Kneecap as a band has said they will contest the charges. “We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves,” a statement said last month. “This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction.” Posting online today, the band said Ó hAnnaidh will be represented by Darragh Mackin, of Pheonix Law, who represented families of the Stardust fire in a recent inquiry into the event and previously represented the band in a funding dispute case. Advertisement Mackin is also joined by barristers Brenda Campbell, KC, who also represented families in the Stardust inquiry and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, KC, an international law expert with a specialism in protest law. Ní Ghrálaigh, a Co Mayo native, appeared before the International Court of Justice last year on behalf of South Africa in its genocide case against Israel. Fellow freedom of speech and human rights barrister Jude Bunting, KC, Just Stop Oil solicitor Rosalind Comyn and criminal defence expert Gareth Peirce, who represented the Birimingham 6 and Guilford 4, also join the defence team. In a post, the band said: “We will fight you in your court. We will win.” Ó hAnnaidh is accused of committed an offence under the UK’s Terrorism Act, Section 13 (1) which says: “A person in a public place commits an offence if he a) wears an item of clothing or b) wears, carries or displays an article, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.” The band have come to international prominence for their outspokenness on Israel’s ongoing bombing and siege of Gaza which has killed over 50,000 people and has brought the enclave to the brink of famine. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. 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Please give full details of the problem with the comment... blinne ni ghralaigh brenda campbell Darragh Mackin Gareth Peirce jude bunting Liam Ó hAnnaidh Liam óg ó hAnnaidh rosalind comyn News in 60 seconds Global March to Gaza TD Paul Murphy and other Irish activists detained while trying to cross Egypt for March to Gaza nuclear tensions Trump tells Iran to ‘JUST DO IT’ and make a deal or face more ‘brutal attacks’ from Israel Waterford student crowned victorious at All-Ireland Spelling Bee 48 mins ago Evening Wrap The 5 at 5: Friday Nuclear sites Netanyahu warns of ‘several waves’ of Israeli attacks as Iran threatens 'powerful response' Donna and Neil Sands Identity of Tattle Life publisher revealed as Irish couple wins £300k damages in legal battle Aoife Moore Gardaí searching for human remains at house linked to Annie McCarrick murder probe As it happened Death toll at Air India plane crash site rises to 265, with one surviving passenger found Nuclear sites Netanyahu warns of ‘several waves’ of Israeli attacks as Iran threatens 'powerful response' status yellow alert Thunderstorms hit as status yellow rain warning still in effect for 12 counties O'Neill says DUP minister should resign for 'reckless' post about Larne Leisure Centre more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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