The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.
The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November.
At Woolwich Crown Court, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring agreed with Mr Ó hAnnaidh's lawyers, who argued that 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 21 May.
In his judgment, Mr Goldspring said: "These proceedings were instituted unlawfully and are null."
Watch: Kneecap arrive at court wearing balaclavas
Concluding the reasons for his decision, Mr Goldspring said: "I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP and AG consent within the six-month statutory time limit set by section 127.
"The time limit requires consent to have been granted at the time or before the issue of the requisition.
"Consequently the charge is unlawful and null and this court has no jurisdiction to try the charge," he said.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it was "reviewing the decision of the court carefully".
It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against.
Speaking outside the court, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said his terrorism case "was always about Gaza".
After thanking his legal team and his interpreter who helped him follow court proceedings, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: "This entire process was never about me.
"It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism - a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress.
"It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up.
"As people from Ireland, we know oppression, colonialism, famine and genocide."
He added: "We have suffered, and still suffer, under your empire. Your attempts to silence us have failed because we're right and you're wrong. We will not be silent.
"We said we would fight you in your court and we would win. Today, we have.
"If anyone on this planet is guilty of terrorism, it's the British state. Free Palestine. Tiocfaidh ár Lá."
