Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year.
Mo Chara’s legal team argues that the case should be thrown out over a technical error in the way that it was brought about.
Following the issuing of a "Section 14" order against supporters of the rap group, which would see them a distance away from the court, the case has since been moved following the flooding of the Westminster Magistrates Court.
An updated statement from the group and their supporters read "There’s a wee bit of flood around Westminster Magistrates court, so tomorrow’s hearing has been moved down to Woolwich Crown Court instead.
"Same time. Same craic. Different Venue. Woolwich Crown Court, 2 Belmarsh Road (yikes!), London, SE28 0EY. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We hope you can still make our Fenian Fleadh and be there to support Liam Óg and the lads from Kneecap."
A mural reading "Saoirse" ("Freedom") dedicated to Kneecap's Mo Chara in Dublin.
The rappers criticised the Metropolitan Police for the issuing of the Section 14 order, saying that they were removing "our supporters from anywhere close to the court entrance.
"The Metropolitan Police in London have just invoked a section 14 for our supporters tomorrow led by The London Irish Brigade," the band wrote. "They previously, and in our view needlessly, did this before the last court date but this time have removed our supporters from anywhere close to the court entrance.
"This is petty in the extreme."
Kneecap.
"We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is," they continued.
"In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome, and to keep our support far away from view when we arrive and depart.
"It is, once again, a calculated political decision the day before Mo Chara’s court appearance."
The lads added that people should obey the order "irrespective of how pitiful."
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Mo Chara’s lawyer Brenda Campbell KC told a court last month 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 May 21.
She said consent was given the following day, which meant the charge fell outside the six-month timeframe in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought.
Mo Chara has been welcomed by hundreds of fans at both of his previous court appearances – with many waving flags and holding banners.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring is set to rule on whether or not he has jurisdiction to try the case in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing, sitting at Woolwich Crown Court, on Friday.
Mo Chara, of Belfast, is yet to enter a plea to the charge and is on unconditional bail.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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