Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known by his stage name Mo Chara from the Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, was met with a crowd of cheering supporters as he appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates Court in the United Kingdom on Wednesday over a terror-related charge.
The 27-year-old faces allegations of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a 2024 London concert.
Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization under UK law. The charge stems from a Metropolitan Police investigation launched in April after a video of the incident circulated online.
Ó hAnnaidh has rejected the accusation, stressing that he does not support Hezbollah and dismissing the case as a “carnival of distraction” aimed at diverting attention from events in Gaza.
The rapper’s arrival at court was chaotic, with photographers jostling for space as his bandmates, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, accompanied him through a throng of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Mo Chara.”
Inside the courtroom, Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his personal details at the start of proceedings. His legal team argued the case should be struck out because it was not filed within the required six-month period. Judge Paul Goldspring adjourned the matter until September 26, when a ruling on that argument will be delivered.
Ó hAnnaidh left court without entering a plea, greeted by chants of “Drop the charges now” from the hundreds of demonstrators outside.
Police had earlier imposed restrictions on the protest to “prevent serious disruption,” limiting gatherings to a designated area near the court.
The case follows heightened visibility for Kneecap on the international stage, including a performance at Coachella where they projected slogans about Israel’s war in Gaza.
Fans rallied outside the court to back Ó hAnnaidh. “I’ve seen them a dozen times, they’ve always stood against oppression,” said 62-year-old supporter Mike McCusker, who has followed the group since 2019.
Formed in Belfast in 2017, Kneecap are known for their provocative Irish-language rap blending stories of life after the Troubles with references to drugs, alcohol, and criticisms of British rule.
Their 2024 album Fine Art and self-titled feature film won critical acclaim, including awards at the Sundance Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards.
The trio have long aligned themselves with Palestinian causes. Their Glastonbury performance in June sparked political controversy after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they should not have been allowed on stage due to the charges against Ó hAnnaidh.
Kneecap are scheduled to continue their European festival run this summer, culminating in a major headline show at London’s Wembley Arena on September 18, just days before Ó hAnnaidh’s next court appearance.