The man was detained by police outside the court building at around 1pm because of a placard he was holding following the hearing.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “A man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed terrorist group, Palestine Action, in Marylebone Road, NW1 this morning.”
It comes as the Kneecap rapper faces a month-long wait to find out whether his terrorism charge will be thrown out.
O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was once again greeted by hundreds of fans as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a three-hour hearing.
Kneecap’s Mo Chara’s terror charge case judgement delayed over technical legal argument
Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old, who followed some of the proceedings through an Irish interpreter, displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year.
During Wednesday’s hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.
Rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) of Kneecap arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Brenda Campbell KC told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21.
She said consent was given the following day, but that meant the charge falls outside of the six-month time frame in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant’s first court appearance and that permission did not need to be sought in order to bring a criminal charge.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring adjourned the case until September 26, when he will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case.
Hundreds of Kneecap supporters waving flags and holding banners greeted O hAnnaidh as he arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh.
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Supporters of Kneecap’s Liam Og O hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Photo: Ben Whitley/PA Wire
Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside the court building in London, as well as in Dublin.
The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court could take place, saying they were needed to “prevent serious disruption”.
A man was detained by police outside the court building because of a placard he was holding following the hearing.
The Met said the suspect remains in custody on suspicion of supporting proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action.
Surrounded by officers, he told reporters his hand-made sign made no reference to any proscribed organisations.
O hAnnaidh was swamped by photographers as he arrived, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building.
Kneecap’s Liam Og O hAnnaidh, speaks to supporters as he leaves Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Photo: Lucy North/PA Wire
Watch: Crowds outside Westminster court as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrives
Supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people carrier to the building.
Following the hearing, O’hAnnaidh told supporters the case was a “distraction from the real story” and urged everyone to “continue to speak about Palestine”, adding: “Free Palestine.”
Fans held signs which read “Free Mo Chara” while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper’s arrival at court.
Chants of “Free, free, Mo Chara” could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd.
Mr O Caireallain and Mr O Dochartaigh sat at the back of the courtroom with three others as O hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of the hearing.
In response to the Met imposing conditions on the protest, Kneecap described the move as a “calculated political decision” that was “designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome”.
The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is “well within his rights” to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum was a “wholly different thing”.
O hAnnaidh, of Belfast, is yet to enter a plea to the charge and is on unconditional bail.
Here’s how the hearing played out on our live blog:
Key updates
Niamh Campbell breaks down Mo Chara’s legal argument over ‘blunder’
Mo Chara arrives at court
Sinn Fein MP among protesters outside court
Colour from today’s hearing
Some police officers said the only other case they had worked on that attracted a similar level of attention was Tommy Robinson’s trial.
Met Police confirm arrest of man over support for Palestine Action outside court
A man was detained by police outside the court building because of a placard he was holding following the hearing.
The Met said the suspect remains in custody on suspicion of supporting proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action.
Surrounded by officers, he told reporters his hand-made sign made no reference to any proscribed organisations.
In a statement a Met Police spokesperson said: “A man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed terrorist group, Palestine Action, in Marylebone Road, NW1 this morning.”
Hundreds attend solidarity gig in Dublin for Kneecap rapper
‘Free Mo Chara’: Sinn Fein MP addressing Kneecap supporters outside court
John Finucane said “we will be here next month” as he addressed “inspiring” activists outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The North Belfast representative told protesters they were “inspiring” as he joined them in “solidarity” with Liam O hAnnaidh.
The 27-year-old defendant, who is accused of supporting a proscribed terror group, was released on unconditional bail before the case resumes on September 26.
“The British establishment will not silence the Irish people,” Mr Finucane posted on X alongside a Palestine flag.
‘Free Palestine and Tiocfaidh ár lá’: Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh thanks supporters outside court
The Kneecap rapper addressed activists after he was released on unconditional bail following a second appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Loud cheers as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaves court
The 27-year-old defendant, who is accused of supporting a proscribed terror group, was cheered as he left Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The rapper was released on unconditional bail after the judgment was reserved in the case. Activists waved Palestine flags and Irish tricolours as he made his way out of the courthouse.
Judgment reserved after several hours of legal argument over technical ‘blunder’
The judge says he is “conscious and anxious” that a “speedy resolution” will be wanted, and not just for defendant
“I will reserve my judgment for a couple of weeks,” he said.
The next hearing is to be held on Friday, September 26 at 10am.
Irish interpreters appointed to court as Kneecap member faces terror charge
Liam O hAnnaidh requested an Irish language interpreter for today’s proceedings at his first appearance back in June.
It was among the first issues to be dealt with this morning.
The defendant was allowed to exit the dock to sit beside his interpreter (a blonde-haired woman) in the courtroom.
The interpreter has been formally permitted by the judge.
Niamh Campbell breaks down Mo Chara’s legal argument over ‘blunder’
Barrister Brenda Campbell KC says that “in context of the Terrorism Act… proceedings were instituted when the written charge and requisition was issued”.
This means the criminal case officially began (was “instituted”) at the moment the written charge and court summons (called a “requisition”) was issued.
So under the Terrorism Act, the case isn’t considered to have started when the police first arrested or questioned someone; it starts legally when the formal paperwork (the written charge and requisition to attend court) is issued.
The law gives prosecutors six months from the date of the alleged offence (or sometimes from when it came to light) to start proceedings.
O hAnnaidh’s lawyers are arguing that the first notice on May 21 didn’t count, because the Attorney General hadn’t yet given the required permission for the prosecution.
If that’s true, then the case only really “started” on May 22 — which they say was one day too late, outside the six-month time limit.
The Crown Prosecution Service disagrees, saying either the Attorney General’s consent wasn’t legally required, so May 21 counts, or that even if it was, the re-issued charge on May 22 is still valid.
So the whole dispute boils down to: Did the prosecution start in time, or was it a day too late and therefore invalid?
Prosecutors oppose defence application to have case thrown out over ‘technical blunder’.
Liam O hAnnaidh’s lawyers launched an application for the charge to be dismissed because of the way it was first brought.
They argue the consent of the Attorney General a day after the Kneecap member was charged with supporting a proscribed terror group which was outside the six month deadline.
Brenda Campbell KC leads the defence.
She says the Crown Prosecution Service “now seeks to rely on a written ‘charge’ issued by the Metropolitan Police on the previous day, May 21 (2025).
Court documents show that the Metropolitan Police issued a “notice of criminal charge” to O hAnnaidh on May 21, accusing him of supporting a banned terrorist group in November 2024.
The notice ordered him to appear in court at 10am on June 18.
The following evening, however, a CPS terrorism prosecutor informed O hAnnaidh’s solicitor by email that the charge was being reissued. A new notice, dated May 22, was attached.
But Michael Bisgrove, for the CPS, opposes the application.
“The Attorney General consent is not required until a court appearance at which the defendant engages with a charge”, he said
Official Attorney General consent to terror charge came too late, defence claims
Liam O hAnnaidh’s legal team has told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Attorney General Richard Hermer did not officially grant approval when police charged the 27-year-old with a terrorism-related offence on May 21.
They said consent was given the following day and are arguing that this was too late as it falls outside a six-month deadline.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service is contesting that the Attorney General’s approval is not necessary in order to initiate such a charge.
Terror charge ‘outside time limit’, Kneecap member’s defence team tells court
Liam Ó hAnnaidh’s legal team are arguing that the charge of supporting a proscribed terror group was brought too late and should be thrown out.
The defendant was charged on May 22 this year – a day after the six-month limit for such charges.
Prosecutors claim the charge was brought on May 21, exactly within the time limit.
Judge Paul Goldspring is expected to issue a ruling later today.
Lots of signage outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court
Hundreds of supporters greeted Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh with loud cheers as he exited a silver people-carrier and made his way inside the courthouse this morning.
Fans held placards reading “Free Mo Chara” while others waved Palestine and Irish flags.
Chants of “free, free, Mo Chara” echoed out of a megaphone which was repeated by the crowd.
The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is “well within his rights” to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
But prosecutors said the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November was a “wholly different thing”.
O hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge of supporting a proscribed terror organisation.
Our reporter Niamh Campbell is in London for today’s proceedings.
Kneecap shares image of road signs outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court
The band shared an image of road signs which read “ethnic cleansing in Palestine” shortly before they arrived at the courthouse.
The social media post applauds activists.
It comes after the rappers urged protesters to comply with the law. Gerry Carroll addresses crowds outside court
MLA Gerry Carroll addresses the crowds outside the courthouse, condemning “racist protests” in Northern Ireland and criticising the police for going after Kneecap and pro-Palestine groups instead of “racist bigots”.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh receives another rockstar welcome at courtFollowing similar scenes at his previous court appearance in June, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrived at court this morning and was once again supported by fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh.
The Met Police imposed restrictions on protesters to avoid chaos outside the court. Kneecap described the strict conditions on protesters as a “calculated political decision” that was “designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome”.
However the band had appealed to supporters “to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful”.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh swamped by photographers as he arrives at court alongside fellow band member
It took the 27-year-old more than a minute to enter Westminster Magistrates’ Court as security officers attempted to usher him through the front entrance.
Hundreds of supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people-carrier to the building, alongside fellow band member Naoise Ó Caireallain (Móglaí Bap).
The third member of the Kneecap trio, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí) has also arrived at the courthouse. Mo Chara arrives at court
This was the scene as Mo Chara arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court shortly after 9.30am. The crowd chanted ‘Free Mo Chara’, matching signs which were held aloft alongside Irish and Palestinian flags.
Sinn Fein MP among protesters outside courtJohn Finucane is addressing activists ahead of Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s court appearance. The North Belfast representative has joined pro-Palestine campaigners outside the courthouse.
“We will be here tomorrow, we will be here next week, we will be here next month,” he said. “We will be here as long as is necessary, with one clear voice and one clear message, free Palestine, free Mo Chara, tiochfaidh ar lá”