Kneecap’s Mo Chara released on bail for terror offence charge as supporters protest

Kneecap’s Liam Og O hAnnaidh has made his first court appearance on a terror charge (Picture: Benjamin Cremel/ AFP)

Kneecap’s Liam Og O hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been released on bail after facing court on a terror offence.

The rapper, who is part of the Belfast rap group alongside Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí (real names Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and J J Ó Dochartaigh), was charged with a terror offence over an incident at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London, last year.

The 27-year-old was accused of displaying a flag in support of the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party, Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK.

Arriving at the Magistrates Court, the artist wore dark black sunglasses and a dark jacket with a keffiyeh, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine, sitting on his shoulders.

Hundreds of supporters cheered as he arrived at court alongside his bandmates. The bandmates were both wearing T-shirts that read ‘Free Mo Chara.’

The group smiled and gave their fans the thumbs up as they walked up the stairs to the court.

The rapper, best known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah (Picture: Benjamin Cremel/ AFP via Getty Images) He was supported in court by his bandmate Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) (Picture: James Veysey/ Shutterstock) A pro-Israeli counter-protester was removed by police (Picture: James Veysey/ Shutterstock)

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Some surged through the entrance and entered the lobby of the magistrates’ court, just before the hearing.

The artist arrived as protesters and counter protesters demonstrated outside of the courtroom, some in support of his actions, and others in protest.

In court, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said that O hAnnaidh is ‘well within his rights’ to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians.

But he added: ‘This case is not about Mr hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.’ Instead, he said it was a ‘wholly different thing’.

The streets outside the court were filled with Kneecap supporters (Picture: Reuters)

‘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,’ he said.

‘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.’

Wearing a dark zip up jacket and trousers, the Kneecap star spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing.

The band had encouraged supporters to attend (Picture: Guy Smallman/ Getty Images) Many showed support for both Kneecap and Palestine (Picture: Alishia Abodunde/ Getty Images) Many protestors came along with signs too (Picture: Alishia Abodunde/ Getty Images)

He was then released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20, when legal argument will be dealt with.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him he must attend court on that day.

The musician received a round of applause outside the courtroom after the short hearing.

The band then left the court to loud cheers and chants of ‘Free Palestine’ from hundreds of their supporters who remained outside during the hearing.

Earlier in the morning, police removed a pro-Israel protester who wore an Israeli flag on their shoulders, provoking boos and swearing from the crowd.

At one point, an advertisement van drove past the court, emblazoned with the support slogan used for Mo Chara – More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara.

The band have been vocal supporters of Palestine for several years (Picture: Henry Nicholls/
AFP via Getty Images)

Kneecap was formed in 2017 and has risen to prominence in recent years with songs including C.E.A.R.T.A, H.O.O.D. and Get Your Brits Out.

The band has been vocal in their unerring support of Palestine, frequently using their performances and social media pages to speak about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

On the night of the incident in question, Mo Chara is alleged to have displayed the flag ‘in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation.’

The incident is alleged to have happened at a concert last November – but the Metropolitan Police said it was only made aware of video evidence in April.

The full charge read: ‘On November 21, 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezbollah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.’

The Belfast-based group has found huge success in recent years (Picture: Michael Cooper/Getty Images)

In a statement issued in response to the charge, Kneecap said on social media on May 22: ‘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 deny this “offence” and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage.

‘A charge not serious enough to even warrant their “crown court”, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury. What’s the objective?

‘To restrict our travel ability. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare to speak out.’

Who are the members of Kneecap?

Formed in west Belfast in 2017, Kneecap is made up of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh.

Their songs – which include C.E.A.R.T.A. and Get Your Brits Out – have seen them become known for the promotion of Irish republicanism.

Liam, 26, performs under the stage name Mo Chara, while Naoise is best known as Móglaí Bap. The 30-year-old is the son of, Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, an Irish language campaigner who died last year.

Meanwhile JJ, or DJ Próvaí, is 34 and from Derry. He performs and is usually photographed wearing an Irish flag balaclava.

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