He is accused of displaying an article in support of a proscribed organisation after he was allegedly filmed draped in a Hezbollah flag and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a gig in London last November.
O'Hanna’s defence counsel, Brenda Campbell KC, argued that the court did not have jurisdiction over the case and claimed that the charge was invalid as it was brought more than six months after the alleged offence, something which the prosecution contests.
Kneecap has previously denied that O'Hanna committed an offence, claiming that his prosecution is part of a “smear campaign” orchestrated by the “establishment”, intended to silence his activism.
He has been bailed and ordered to attend a second hearing on August 20 to discuss jurisdictional disputes.
Despite the controversy and the terrorism charges, Kneecap are still set to perform alongside mainstream acts like The 1975, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo.
