Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara and a member of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap, was granted unconditional bail on Wednesday following a court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The 27-year-old faces a terrorism-related charge under the UK Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and shouting “Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah” during a concert in London in November 2024.
The hearing sparked a strong public response, with hundreds of supporters—including musicians and politicians—gathering outside the courthouse. Many waved Irish and Palestinian flags, chanted “Free Mo Chara” and “Free Palestine,” and wore T-shirts emblazoned with the rapper’s name. The courtroom itself was at full capacity, requiring extra seats for the press. Mo Chara, wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, spoke only to confirm his identity.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove emphasised that the case was not about the rapper’s political views or his support for the Palestinian cause. “He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity,” Bisgrove told the court. Instead, the charge hinges on video footage showing Mo Chara allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and making pro-Hamas remarks—both offences under UK law given the organisations’ designation as terrorist groups.
Defence lawyer Brenda Campbell argued the charge was laid beyond the six-month legal window for such an offence, asserting, “If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case.” She also said the prosecution appeared to be “an attempt to criminalise political expression.”
Outside the court, Darragh Mackin, another member of Mo Chara’s legal team, addressed the crowd of supporters, saying:
“The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get.”
Kneecap has denied the allegations in full. In a statement released shortly after the charge was filed, the group said, “We do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah,” calling the prosecution “political policing” and a distraction from Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for August 20, where the court will determine whether the charge is legally valid within the statutory timeframe.
