Terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Mo Chara adjourned by UK court

Published on 20/08/2025 - 16:02 GMT+2

Kneecap personnel Mo Chara – existent sanction Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – was greeted by hundreds of fans and supporters arsenic he arrived for his second tribunal appearance astatine Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

Fans held signs which publication “Free Mo Chara”, while others waved Palestine and Irish flags and chanted “Free, free Mo Chara.”

He was besides joined by his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh.

Prosecutors allege nan 27-year-old displayed a emblem successful support of proscribed panic organisation Hezbollah astatine a gig successful London successful November past year.

During nan three-hour hearing, his defence squad based on nan lawsuit should beryllium thrown out, citing a method error. Defence counsel Brenda Campbell KC told nan tribunal that nan Attorney General had not fixed support for nan lawsuit to beryllium brought against nan suspect erstwhile constabulary informed him he was to look a panic complaint connected 21 May. However, Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said support was not required until nan defendant's first tribunal appearance.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said nan lawsuit was adjourned.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has yet to participate a plea but denied wrongdoing. He has erstwhile again been released connected unconditional bail (similarly to his first tribunal quality successful June) and now faces a month-long hold to find retired whether his coercion complaint will beryllium thrown out.

He will look successful tribunal again connected 26 September.

Speaking extracurricular nan courts today, Mo Chara thanked supporters for coming and said: “We cognize this communicative is much than conscionable astir me. It’s much than Kneecap; this is simply a communicative astir Palestine and america arsenic a distraction from nan existent story."

He added: “We know, unfortunately, this communicative will extremity up successful nan media today, while Israel commits genocide astatine nan aforesaid time. So, everybody, proceed to speak astir Palestine. Free Palestine.”

On Tuesday evening, nan Metropolitan Police issued Public Order Act conditions for today’s tribunal date. 

The conditions were being enacted to “prevent superior disruption being caused by a protest” extracurricular nan court, stated nan Metropolitan Police.  

Kneecap reacted to these Public Order Act conditions, penning connected X: “We massively admit nan support of what we cognize are nan mostly of nan public, who tin spot this farce for what it is. It is simply a distraction from warfare crimes that nan British State support. In our position this constabulary action is designed to effort and represent support for Kneecap arsenic someway troublesome.” 

Their station continued: “It is simply a calculated governmental determination nan nighttime earlier Mo Chara’s tribunal appearance. There is nary ground for this, our past proceeding was wholly serene and a loving show of solidarity pinch nan astir disruptive attendees nan correct helping media. We cognize each of our supporters will be, but please spell retired of your measurement to beryllium compliant pinch each instructions issued, irrespective of really pitiful. Free Palestine.”