The Belfast rapper, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, has been embroiled in a legal war with the British Government since the incident on the 21st of November 2024. As staunch supporters of Palestine during their conflict with Israel, the band has frequently spoken out against the British Government’s actions or lack thereof, with previous acts of declaring support for Middle-Eastern political groups being recorded. During a Kneecap concert at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, he was witnessed waving a flag associated with Lebanese Islamist group Hezbollah, which he claims was thrown onto the stage by a crowd member. Endorsement or support of Hezbollah is illegal due to the government proscribing them as a terrorist faction, with the punishment if found guilty carrying six months imprisonment and a fine.

The Metropolitan Police were made aware of a video of the incident in April last year, and Mo Chara was charged under the Terrorism Act 2006 on the 22nd of May 2025. After the first hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in June, the group’s actions and scheduled performance at the year’s Glastonbury Festival were publicly scrutinised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, himself a former Director of Public Prosecutions.

Following another hearing in August, the verdict was handed down on the 26th of December, with Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring finding that the charges against Mo Chara were unlawful. Due to internal issues with the CPS’s process, the formal charging on the 22nd of May was one day over the six-month window since the initial perceived crime on the 21st of November 2024. In a social media post, Kneecap’s manager Daniel Lambert said “Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER.”

In October, the CPS lodged an appeal against the courts, seemingly hell-bent on making an example of the group. Kneecap described this as “political policing”, and noted that the press had been alerted to the news before any of their legal team. This appeal was quashed today by judges at the High Court in London, validating the Chief Magistrate’s assertions on the charges and their timing. In the document published digitally by Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden, they clarified that the CPS’s claim falling outside the six-month window had nullified the charges.

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Mo Chara and Kneecap have celebrated the news with several social media posts this afternoon, taking aim at the government – both their involvement in Northern Irish affairs and their silence on Palestine. Writing on Instagram, they say “The worlds biggest terrorists are the leaders of the British state. Free Palestine. Free the 6 counties.” The tussle with the British state clearly hasn’t deterred them from political activism. Just this week, the act announced their support of the Nuestra América Convoy, a relief effort to provide supplies to Cuba during their trade embargo at the hands of Donald Trump’s US Government.

2026 will also be a big year for music for Kneecap, with their third album ‘Fenian’ set for release on the 24th of April. So far they have shown furious singles ‘Liars Tale” and ‘Smugglers & Scholars’. In addition to a big headline show at London’s Crystal Palace Park on the 27th of June, they are also embarking on an extensive summer tour of European festivals over 2026. You can catch them at Boomtown as well as Reading and Leeds festivals this August with ticket links on their website.

Chara – real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – will appear for his third court hearing on terror charges, with the previous two attracting hundreds of fans and protesters showing support for the Irish rapper.

The group have called on their fans to show up in London “to support Liam Óg & Kneecap against British State repression”, telling supporters to “Bring your flags, keffiyeh and voices”.

The politically charged rappers have now taken to social media to claim that the police have “just invoked a section 14 for our supporters tomorrow” which means any protesters who appear outside the Westminster Magistrates Court will risk arrest.

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“They previously, and in our view needlessly, did this before the last court date, but this time have removed our supporters from anywhere close to the court entrance. This is petty in the extreme.

“We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is. It is a distraction from war crimes that the British state still support every single day in Gaza.”

They continued: “In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome, and to keep our support far away view when we arrive and depart.”

They then went on to claim that this is a calculated political decision taken the day before Mo Chara’s court appearance, saying: “There is no basis for this, both our last hearings were entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees being the right wing media and the police themselves who arrested a man for holding a sign only to release him later with no charge.

“We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issues, irrespective of how pitiful.”

The official Met Police document gives more insight into the details, including a map showing a small shaded area where Kneecap’s supporters “must remain”.

The document reads: “I hereby give a direction imposing the following conditions on the persons organising or taking part in the assembly, which appear to me to be necessary to prevent serious disorder, damage, disruption, impact or intimidation.

“Any person taking part in the Kneecap & The Irish Brigade assembly in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh must remain within the shaded area on the attached map.”

The third hearing of the high profile court case will take place tomorrow (Friday September 26) at Westminster Magistrates Court as Mo Chara faces terror charges for allegedly showing support for Hezbollah – a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK – during a live show last year.

Kneecap and Chara have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, saying they “do not incite or condone violence” and arguing that the legal action is just a “carnival of distraction.”

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Kneecap, known for their political stance and calls for actions, have been making the headlines for all the right political reasons this year. Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was released on unconditional bail after his first court appearance and being charged for terrorism after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag whilst performing in November 2024.

The musicians have been some of the most vocal people and supporters of Palestine in the Israel genocide and sparked many comments after their speech during their Coachella set back in April. Since then and since Mo’s court appearances, many supporters came out both for the Irish band but also to show their support to Palestine which has prompted the Met Police to issue a Public Order Act conditions for today’s court date. Per their statement, those conditions are being put in place to “prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest” outside the court.  

 

 

 

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Fans were heard outside the Magistrates Court singing Irish Folk songs whilst holding signs that read “Free Palestine”, “Free Mo Chara” as well as “Defend Kneecap: Drop The Charges”. Palestinian flags were waved as cars on the main road actively beeped in support. Famous Paul Weller, Jam’s frontman was spotted amongst the supporters.

Kneecap have consistently denied supporting either Hezbollah or Hamas as they say they do not condone nor incite any violence, arguing that the footage from their November gig was taken out of context to distract people from the real problem at hand.

The band was also put under investigation after making remarks about members of parliament during their performances. When asked if he regretted said comments, Chara said: “Why should I regret it? It was a joke – we’re playing characters, it’s satirical, it’s a fucking joke. And that’s not the point. The point is, that wasn’t an issue until we said ‘Free Palestine’ at Coachella. That stuff happened 18 months ago, and nobody batted an eyelid.”

Today’s court proceedings will see the likes of Gurriers, Nadine Shah and Maverick Sabre to get up and speak in favour and support of Kneecap and Mo Chara.

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27-year-old Chara was charged over an alleged incident last November – where he displayed a Hezbollah flag during a Kneecap show. Hezbollah is listed as a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK.

The band responded to the charge at the time by denying any offence and saying: “This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.”

After jokingly telling their fans to gather at Westminster with “a big bag of ket”, it now seems as though the Irish trio were listened to… maybe without the “big bag of ket” though.

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Huge crowds have been seen gathering outside the Magistrates Court this morning, donning Palestine flags, signs, and a platform for activists to speak to the crowds. One fan of the group that was seen in the crowd was none other than Paul Weller, who has shown his support for Kneecap throughout this whole ordeal.

The former Jam frontman joined a group of over 40 artists to sign an open letter which rallied “against the attempts to silence Kneecap for speaking out for Gaza.”

Weller and the rest of the crowds were heard singing Irish folk songs and holding signs that read ‘Free Palestine’, ‘Free Mo Chara’, and ‘Defend Kneecap: Drop The Charges’.

Inside the court, very little happened. Chara simply confirmed his name, date of birth and address before being released on unconditional bail and told to return to court on August 20.

A spokesperson for the band then took to the mic to address the hundreds of fans and protesters in attendance. He hit out at the backlash Kneecap has received for showing support to Palestine, saying: “The reality is Kneecap will stand up against political oppression, to defend their rights and the rights of artists and people all around the world. It is not new for Irish people to be prosecuted under special powers for terrorism acts.”

There were also several pro-Palestine and Irish Republican activists who gave speeches – insisting that they would “be back in larger and larger numbers” and asking “Why isn’t Keir Starmer getting his door kicked through and being arrested?”.

Finally, it was Mo Chara’s bandmate – Moglai Bap – who took to the mic and spoke of the band’s upcoming performance at Glastonbury, saying: “If anybody is going to Glastonbury, you can see us there. If anybody can’t be there, we’ll be on the BBC – if anybody watches the BBC. We’ll be at Wembley in September, but most importantly ‘free, free Palestine’.”

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Despite being taken off the line-up for TRNSMT Festival, Kneecap will play Glastonbury this year in what is sure to be a highlight of the weekend. The rap trio also announced their biggest headline English show to date – where they will play Wembley Arena – with tickets available here.