Kneecap Rapper: Terror Charge & Bail Update | UK News
- Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, a rapper with the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, has been granted unconditional bail after his legal team challenged the validity of a terrorism...
- The charge stems from an incident on Nov. 21 of last year.
- Outside Westminster magistrates court, a van drove past displaying a modified racist slogan: “More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara.”
Kneecap Rapper Released on Bail in Terrorism Case
Updated June 19, 2025
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, a rapper with the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, has been granted unconditional bail after his legal team challenged the validity of a terrorism charge against him. Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag supporting Hezbollah and chanting pro-Hezbollah slogans at a november gig in London.
The charge stems from an incident on Nov. 21 of last year. Prosecutors allege Ó hAnnaidh showed support for Hezbollah, which is a proscribed institution.
Outside Westminster magistrates court, a van drove past displaying a modified racist slogan: “More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara.”
Defense lawyers argued the charge, filed May 22, fell outside the six-month window for the court’s jurisdiction. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring scheduled an Aug. 20 hearing to determine jurisdiction.Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about Ó hAnnaidh’s support for Palestinians or criticism of Israel. Bisgrove said Ó hAnnaidh had the right to express solidarity with Palestinians, but the alleged incident was “a wholly different thing.”
Ó hAnnaidh, along with bandmates Naoise O Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, emerged from the courtroom to a crowd of supporters. Fans greeted them with applause, drumming, and pink smoke.
A member of Ó hAnnaidh’s legal team addressed the crowd, stating that kneecap has performed in over 18 countries for 100,000 fans without complaint. They added that the prosecution was rushed following Kneecap’s coachella performance, where the group spoke out against power.
Ó hAnnaidh announced Kneecap would perform at Glastonbury festival on Saturday at 4 p.m., and led a chant of “Free, free Palestine.”
Supporters gathered at the court early Wednesday, creating a carnival atmosphere. they waved Irish, Palestinian, and anti-fascist flags. Placards displayed puns on irish phrases, including plays on “céad míle fáilte” and the Republican slogan “tiocfaidh ár lá.”
What’s next
The court will reconvene in August to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the terrorism charge against the Kneecap rapper.