Kneecap's Mo Chara placed on unconditional bail as hundreds support star at court
Kneecap's Mo Chara has been unconditionally bailed after facing a terror charge.
After being greeted by hundreds of supporters outside Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (18.06.25), the court heard that the issue was with the member of the Irish rap trio - whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - "displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah" at their O2 Forum Kentish Town gig in London in November 2024, not voicing his opinions on Israel and Palestine, which he's "well within his rights" to do.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court: 'It's not about Mr Ó 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 Ó 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.'
Ó hAnnaidh was subsequently released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20.
Not only was he supported by his bandmates - Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh - at the court, but hundreds of supporters turned up to stand in solidarity with the star, with calls of "Free Palestine" heard as he left the building.
In a statement on Instagram regarding the terror charge, Kneecap wrote: "We deny this 'offense' and will vehemently defend ourselves.
'This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction.
"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 are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in court. We will win.'
Kneecap had shows cancelled as a result of the backlash but are still set to play Glastonbury's West Holts stage at Worthy Farm on Saturday, June 28 at 4pm - despite calls from MPs for them to be banned.
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The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said. A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said. O'Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address. One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: "The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get." A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has appeared in a London court charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support. Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the flag of banned militant group Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London in November 2024. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. 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The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O'Hanna as an attempt to silence them. O'Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing on Wednesday. A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards. He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O'Hanna's support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah ... while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'." O'Hanna's lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case," she said. A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said. O'Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address. One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: "The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get."
