Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh bailed over terror charge in London

Published connected 18/06/2025 - 14:31 GMT+2•Updated 14:37

Kneecap rapper Mo Chara, whose existent sanction is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, has been released connected unconditional bail aft today's proceeding astatine Westminster Magistrates’ Court successful London. 

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, faced a terror-related charge successful what he says is simply a politically motivated effort to soundlessness nan band’s support for Palestinians earlier their quality astatine Glastonbury Festival astatine nan extremity of this month.  

His adjacent tribunal quality is scheduled for 20 August.  

Charged nether nan sanction Liam O'Hanna, nan rapper is accused of displaying a emblem successful support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah astatine a London gig past year.

He arrived astatine Westminster Magistrates' Court accompanied by set members Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). 

Hundreds of supporters of nan group were besides extracurricular a tribunal successful London, waving signs reading: “Free Mo Chara” and “Defend Kneecap.”

Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told nan tribunal that support for nan Palestinians and disapproval of Israel were not nan reasons for nan complaint revenge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh.

“He’s good wrong his authorities to sound his opinions and solidarity, arsenic is anybody else,’’ Bisgrove said. “The allegation successful this lawsuit is simply a wholly different point and deals pinch a video signaling showing that, successful November of past year, Mr. Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed nan emblem of Hezbollah, a proscribed violent organization, while saying ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah.’’’

Kneecap has supported nan Palestinian origin passim nan warfare successful Gaza, and nan trio is scheduled to execute astatine Glastonbury connected Saturday 28 June.   

Several artists person supported Kneecap, including Brian Eno, Fontaines D.C. and Pulp. They signed an unfastened letter criticizing a “clear, concerted effort to censor and yet deplatform” Kneecap and opposing “political repression of creator freedom.” 

The missive reads: "As artists, we consciousness nan request to registry our guidance to immoderate governmental repression of creator freedom.” 

"In a democracy, nary governmental figures aliases governmental parties should person nan correct to dictate who does and does not play astatine euphony festivals aliases gigs that will beryllium enjoyed by thousands of people." 

Before today's hearing, nan set posted advertisements astir London base nan motto “More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara” - a connection which echoes nan signs placed successful nan windows of immoderate London houses and businesses successful nan 1950s, stating “No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish.”

“British courts person agelong charged group from nan North of Ireland pinch ‘terrorism’ for crimes ne'er committed,” Kneecap said successful a connection posted connected societal media. “We will conflict them. We will win.”