'A smear campaign run at the behest of Israel': Sinn Fein figures rejoice after terror prosecution of Liam O'Hanna collapses in London court
Sinn Fein figures have reacted to the collapse of the terror case against rapper Mo Chara by saying the prosecution had been designed to stifle pro-Palestinian views.
A number of senior party figures voiced that view following this morning’s news that a magistrate in London had thrown out the charge against the rapper, who is part of the trio Kneecap.
He was charged under the name Liam O’Hanna (though refers to himself as Liam Og O hAnnaidh).
His charge read as follows: that “on 21 November 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, [he] displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hizballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000”.
The Metropolitan Police became aware of the video footage which formed the basis of the charge on April 22.
He was then charged on May 21 (exactly six months after the incident), and first appeared in court on June 18.
This morning the case was thrown out because of a technicality concerning when permission was obtained from the DPP and Attorney General to proceed with the charge.
The CPS can appeal the decision.
Reacting, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald wrote: “Mo Chara spoke out against Israel’s genocide, for the people of Gaza, for a free Palestine.
"The charges were an attempt to shut him up, to silence protest. It failed. He’s free.
"Kneecap are not the story, genocide is the story. Saoirse don Phalaistin!”
Chris Hazzard, South Down MP, wrote: “The smear campaign – orchestrated by the British state at the behest of the genocidal regime has been defeated. Kneecap are on the right side of history. The British state is not.”
West Tyrone MP Orfhlaith Begley said: “These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Don’t stop talking about Palestine."
John Finucane, North Belfast MP, wrote: “This was never about justice. It was about silencing those who call out Israel’s genocide in Gaza and those complicit in it.
“Today, those on the right side of history have prevailed. Free Palestine!”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
“Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the world to expose this genocide, and it is the responsibility of all of us to continue speaking out and standing against injustice in Palestine.”
And West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said: “Today’s decision not to proceed with the prosecution of Liam Og O hAnnaidh is the right one.
“Kneecap have bravely and unapologetically used their platform around the world to call out Israel’s genocide and the complicity of western governments.
“It is the Israeli war criminals and those who fund, support and enable genocide and forcibly starve women and children who should be before the courts, not Kneecap’s Mo Chara.
“The British political assault on Kneecap which led to this case has failed.
“Today, those on the right side of history have prevailed.”