Kneecap’s Mo Chara appeared in a London court on Wednesday (Aug. 20) for the latest hearing relating to an alleged terror offense.
In May, the MC (born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was charged for allegedly showing support for militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah – both of which are proscribed as terror groups by U.K. law – in resurfaced videos from a past concert. The video appeared to show Chara shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and displaying a Hezbollah flag at a show in London in November 2024.
Speaking on their social platforms, the group called the charge “a carnival of distraction” from what they see as the real issue at hand: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.” The group have said they will fight the charge and claimed that “we will win.”
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Ó hAnnaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Aug. 20) for the latest hearing alongside his bandmates Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) and the band’s manager, according the BBC and other outlets. The 27-year-old artist first appeared in court in June, and was granted unconditional bail.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Ó hAnnaidh spoke to confirm his name and address. He is yet to enter a plea in relation to the charges.
The court heard three hours of legal arguments related to the charge. Ó hAnnaidh’s defense team are seeking to throw the case out, citing an error in the way the charge against him was brought by London’s Metropolitan Police.
Brenda Campbell KC, representing the defendant, told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against Ó hAnnaidh when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21, and was outside the six month time limit for prosecution.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said that permission was not required until the defendant’s first court appearance which took place on June 18.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said he will issue a ruling on the matter in the coming weeks; the case has been adjourned until Sept.r 26, when he will decide whether Ó hAnnaidh will stand trial. The defendant remains free on unconditional bail.
Supporters of the band were present outside the courts to show solidarity and wave Palestinian flags and banners. Ó hAnnaidh was mobbed by fans and media as he entered the court, with chants of “Free Mo Chara” breaking out.
In April 2025, the group ended their Coachella sets with a message that stated: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F–k Israel; free Palestine.” A number of industry names including Sharon Osbourne called for them to be removed from the bill and their work visas to be revoked.
The band were subsequently removed from a number of festivals, including TRSNMT in Glasgow, Scotland, and were banned from entering Hungary to perform at Sziget Festival. They did, however, perform at Glastonbury Festival in late June and drew a huge crowd, and recently appeared at Green Man Festival in Wales this past weekend.
The Northern Irish hip-hop trio released their breakthrough album Fine Art in 2024 alongside a self-titled biopic which saw critical acclaim, and was nominated for an Academy Award as well as winning a BAFTA prize.
