KNEECAP CLAP BACK AT “PETTY” SECTION 14 ORDER AHEAD OF MO CHARA COURT DATE

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (also known as stage name Mo Chara) will appear at Woolwich Crown Court today, to hear whether his terror charge will be thrown out or not.

The Metropolitan Police invoked an order yesterday (25^th Sept) to keep Kneecap supporters from outside the courtroom entrance and warn that those who do not comply “will commit an offence and may be liable to arrest”.

London’s Met Police claim that the order “appear[s] to be necessary to prevent serious disorder, damage, disruption, impact or intimidation” and stresses that fans must stay in a specific area while showing their support for the Irish rap-trio member.

Yesterday afternoon Kneecap claimed on social media that “They previously, and in our view needlessly did this before the last court date, but this time have removed our supporters from anywhere close to the court entrance. This is petty in the extreme.”

They continued: “In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as somehow troublesome, and to keep our support far away view when we arrive and depart.”

The artists also claimed that “Both our last hearings were entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity.”

Earlier this week the group Irish in London for Palestine alongside Kneecap, urged fans to “support Liam Óg and Kneecap against British State repression” outside the court, and are set to host a variety of speakers and musicians in favour of the rapper.

The court date was moved from Westminster Magistrates Court to Woolwich Crown Court yesterday due to flooding.

This is the third time Mo Chara will appear in court, following previous hearings in June and August.

The post from Kneecap’s social media can be seen below.