Kneecap: Rapper released on unconditional bail over terror charge

U.S.

4 hours ago

Originally posted by: BBC.com

Source: BBC.com

Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known as Mo Chara, leaving Westminster court in central London

PA Media A close-up of a man in the midst of a crowd. He is wearing sunglasses and a black and white keffiyeh headdress around his neck like a scarf. A crowd is around him. You can see Irish tricolours in the background — Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known as Mo Chara, leaving Westminster court in central London

A rapper with Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap has been released on unconditional bail after appearing in a London court on a terror charge.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O’Hanna, is accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

The 27-year-old, who performs under the name Mo Chara, arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accompanied by band members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh).

Supporters of the group offered a round of applause outside a court in London on Wednesday, after the appearance.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, with fellow band member Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and JJ O’Dochartaigh aka DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) outside court on Wednesday

Getty Images Two men with sunglasses and scarves clap. Behind them stands a man in a balaclava the colours of the Irish flag. — Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, with fellow band member Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and JJ O’Dochartaigh aka DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) outside court on Wednesday

Mr Ó hAnnaidh will appear at court for the next hearing on 20 August.

The chief magistrate Paul Goldspring told him he must attend court on that day.

He asked whether or not Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh needed an Irish interpreter to be present in court.

The chief magistrate said: “We were going to have one today, but I will be blunt. We couldn’t find one.”

In court, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: “This case is not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh, support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.”

He told the court Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is “well within his rights” to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians.

“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 ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’.

“Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other.

“So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.”

One of the people protesting outside Westminster court ahead of the hearing of Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh

TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A person wearing a white balaclava and a headscarf holds a poster that says 'Free Mo Chara' . Other people in the background also hold placards — One of the people protesting outside Westminster court ahead of the hearing of Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh

The court room was full and court staff had to bring in more seats for journalists.

Inside the court were representatives of the Irish language lobby and Sinn Féin MPs John Finucane and Paul Maskey.

In a statement, posted on social media in May, Kneecap said: “We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves.”

A large crowd outside the court in London on Wednesday

EPA A crowd of people holding placards saying 'Defend Kneecap', and holding Palestinian flags and Irish flags outside the court in London — A large crowd outside the court in London on Wednesday

The band arrived at court on Wednesday wearing “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts.

Musicians, supporters, and activists crowded outside court.

Large green flags saying “Free Speech, Free Palestine” are also on display.

A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after a van drove past displaying the slogan “More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara”.

The slogan is a spin on a well-known discriminatory phrase found outside some UK boarding houses from the 1950s.

Kneecap said it had “plastered” London with messages of support for its band member.

The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí

Getty Images Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh aka Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí of Kneecap at the BAFTAS. Liam has short dark hair wearing black clothing. Naoise has dark wavy hair with his arms leant on the shoulders of Liam and JJ, he is wearing black clothing and rings. JJ is wearing a tri colour balaclava and tri colour suit. They are standing next to a BAFTAS sign. — The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí

Who are Kneecap?

The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.

In April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella.

In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant.