Police issue update with 'considered plan' ahead of Kneecap headline gig

Daily Mirror

5 days ago

Kneecap will headline Glasgow's O2 Academy later tonight, but Police Scotland have put a thorough plan in place due to them facing a counter-terrorism investigation
Police Scotland has issued an update ahead of Kneecap's headline show at Glasgow's O2 Academy. The Irish rap trio will headline the city centre venue, which was organised after their set at TRNSMT festival was cancelled.
The group were dropped from the line-up, which consists of artists including 50 Cent, The Royston Club, Fontaines D.C. The Lathums, The K's, Gracie Abrams and Snow Patrol, which is taking place this upcoming weekend. Bosses made the decision to pull them following a row over an investigation by counter-terrorism police into rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara.
‌
hAnnaidh is accused of terrorism offences relating to displaying a Hezbollah flag, which he allegedly held up on stage at a gig in London. He and the band furiously deny the allegations. TRNSMT said they had cancelled their performance at the end of May due to safety fears raised by Police Scotland.
‌
At festivals, the band often pull in huge crowds, causing stages to reach maximum capacity moments before they're due on stage. Now, Police Scotland have said they hope to keep disruption to a minimum due to a string of high profile events taking place in the city this week.
Superintendent Paul Douglas said: "We are aware of a number of events and concerts due to take place in the Greater Glasgow area in the week beginning Monday, 7 July, 2025. A proportionate and considered policing plan is in place within the city and we are working with a number of stakeholders to ensure the safety of all those attending these events and where possible minimise disruption to the people of Glasgow."
‌
In May, First Minister John Swinney urged for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that "organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue." hAnnaidh was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna by the Metropolitan Police in May, over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig, and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18.
The furore led to calls from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for Glastonbury to cancel a performance from the Belfast rappers on June 28, which the festival organisers did not do.
‌
Despite being cancelled from TRNSMT, Kneecap are still due to perform scheduled shows at 2000trees rock festival on July 10, Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on August 15 and Belfast Vital on August 29 – nine days after O hAnnaidh's next court appearance.
At the last hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: "It's not about Mr O hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else.
‌
"The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'Ip Hamas, up Hezbollah'." Kneecap have denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
At the time of Mr O hAnnaidh's arrest, the band said: "14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again, the British establishment is focused on us. We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage.
"A charge not serious enough to even warrant their 'crown court', instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? To restrict our travel ability. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare to speak out.
"Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.
"We stand proudly with the people. You stand complicit with the war criminals. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in court. We will win. Free Palestine."