An Irish language hip-hop artist from the group Kneecap, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, alias Liam O'Hanna, has been granted unconditional bail following a terrorist charge hearing at a London court. Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the moniker Mo Chara, stands accused of unfurling a flag in solidarity with the banned organization Hezbollah during a concert in the city.
Accompanied by his bandmates Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh), Ó hAnnaidh made his appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Outside the courtroom on Wednesday, the group's supporters erupted into applause, showing their unwavering backing. Ó hAnnaidh is scheduled to return to court on August 20, as instructed by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring.
The court was packed to its brim, necessitating court staff to bring in additional seating for the waiting journalists. Prior to this hearing, Kneecap had issued a statement on social media in May, firmly denying the charge and vowing to defend themselves vigorously.
On the day of the court appearance, the trio arrived wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts, with musicians, supporters, and activists gathered outside the court in solidarity. Large green banners emblazoned with "Free Speech, Free Palestine" fluttered in the breeze, alongside a mix of Palestinian and Kneecap flags held by the crowd. Cheers erupted as a van drove by, displaying the slogan "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara," a twist on a notorious discriminatory phrase from 1950s UK boarding houses.
Kneecap claimed to have plastered London with messages of support for their embattled bandmate. Known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise, the Irish-speaking rap trio has courted controversy since their formation in 2017. Their meteoric rise to fame even inspired a semi-fictionalized film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, which went on to win a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
In April, the group faced scrutiny for displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at the Coachella music festival in the United States. Earlier, in November 2024, Kneecap prevailed in a legal battle against the UK government, challenging a decision made by then-minister Kemi Badenoch to withdraw an arts grant.
