TRNSMT act Kneecap break silence after member Liam O'Hanna charged with terror offence
TRNSMT bound Irish rap group Kneecap have issued a statement following news that member Liam O'Hanna has been charged with a terrorism offence.
Liam O'Hanna, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged over the alleged displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north-west London, on November 21 last year, the Metropolitan Police said.
O'Hanna, of Belfast, was charged by postal requisition and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, according to the force.
Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on April 22 of an online video from the event, the force said. An investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the charge.
In a post on X the band, which consists of fellow members Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaig, shared a video of Liam speaking in an RTE clip, reports the Mirror. They said: "Recorded in January and just aired on RTE tv now."
They then quoted what Liam said in the video: "I don't want to be 80, 90 years of age and my grandkids asking me about the Palestinian genocide? Me sitting there being like f**k, I didn't do enough. I don't wanna be on that side of history. If it comes down to awards or breaking America by sacrifice what you believe in, then America can go f**k itself."
The band added: "We are clearer than ever on who we are and what we stand for. We will have a short statement soon. FREE PALESTINE."
Counter-terror cops were said to be investigating the group's Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí after more footage surfaced from previous concerts in 2023 and 2024, where a member appeared to chant 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.
The Met Police confirmed on Sunday that a man was interviewed under caution at a station in Belfast as part of the broader investigation into the band.
The Belfast-based band are still booked to perform at TRNSMT in Glasgow on July 11 and Glastonbury on June 27.
Previously, the rap trio had seen gigs including a performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall on July 4 cancelled after historic concert footage appeared to show a member of the group shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah ', and another video allegedly showing one calling for Conservative MPs to be killed.
First Minister John Swinney backed the calls for a ban, saying it would be "unacceptable" for the band to take to such high-profile stages.
However, the band remain on the TRNSMT line-up and SNP councillors in Glasgow rejected the calls to ban them from the Glasgow festival.
Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs, but claimed footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised', while they also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are both banned organisations in the UK.
The trio added: "To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt."
The Daily Mail reported yesterday that music agents have allegedly written to Glastonbury festival organisers, urging them to ban the hip-hop group from the iconic music festival.
The email exchange was apparently leaked to Kneecap, and they have reportedly threatened legal action in return.
In the letter, according to the Mail, the group ask for an apology and accuse their critics of attempting to restrict freedom of expression.
It reads: "Your correspondence seeks to monopolise your status within the industry to impose direct and concerted pressure on Glastonbury, to restrict freedom of expression.
"Such a direct and coordinated approach seeks to create a chilling effect upon the wider music industry whereby those who hold opposing views, will seek to impose their own view on the wider industry."
The letter threatens to "commence high court civil proceedings for damages for the damage you have inflicted".
It adds: "However, before our clients formally seek to issue pre-action correspondence, we write to offer you the opportunity to resolve these matters by way of an immediate and unequivocal apology."
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