London's Metropolitan Police in disarray following postponement of Mo Chara's trial, with a focus on the knee-on-neck method involved.
In the heart of west London, the Westminster Magistrates Court in Marylebone was buzzing with anticipation on Wednesday morning. The hearing involving Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, a rapper from Belfast, was set to take place. Hundreds of his supporters, many of whom had attended the June hearing, gathered outside the court.
The hearing was concerning an accusation made in November of last year, where it was alleged that Mr. Ó hAnnaidh had shown support for a proscribed organisation by displaying a Hizbullah flag.
As the court proceedings began, it was evident that the judge's microphones were malfunctioning, causing some initial disruptions. An Irish interpreter was arranged for Mr. Ó hAnnaidh in Court 1, with a blonde woman in her 30s taking on the role.
The defence, led by barrister Brenda Campbell, argued that the proceedings were initiated too late and sought to have the case thrown out. Campbell accused prosecutors of making a "last-ditch attempt to accommodate failure" and argued that the prosecution's arguments were "legally impermissible" and "audacious".
In response, Prosecution barrister Michael Bisgrove argued that the paperwork was in order and did not require the approval of the UK's attorney general at the point of charge.
The crowd outside the court was a spectacle in itself. GAA jerseys were prevalent among the crowd, and Mr. Ó hAnnaidh wore a Palestinian keffiyeh fused with the green, white, and orange of the Tricolour during the hearing. Two men from the An Dream Dearg campaign for an Irish language Act in the North were also present.
The Metropolitan Police had issued an order restricting the area outside the court where Kneecap supporters could gather in anticipation of the hearing. However, the crowd surge and chaos at the front door of the court resulted in a court staff member being caught in a crush. The staff formed a scrum and started driving the swell of photographers back out through the narrow door.
In an incongruous decision at a courthouse, the police were also trying to decide where the best spot for a stage would be for the impromptu gig that had taken place during the first hearing in June.
The case was adjourned until September 26th. As the crowd dispersed, it was clear that the issue at hand was far from over. The proceedings will continue in the coming months, with the outcome eagerly awaited by both supporters and critics alike.
Read also:
- Today's most impactful photographic moments
- Support for Eric Adams in The Post's Letters to the Editor on August 13, 2025
- Roosting Shark and Rambunctious Red Squirrels: Unconventional House Rental in Yorkshire Involving Aquatic Marvel, Squirrely Mayhem, and Mystical Planning Regulations
- Legal Dispute Dismissed with Humor: Supreme Court Laughs off Another Civil Matter Mislabeled as Criminal Prosecution
