Hundreds gather outside London court as Kneecap member Mo Chara faces terrorism charges

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Wednesday morning as Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known by his stage name Mo Chara, appeared in court to face a terrorism offence.

During the brief hearing, Ó hAnnaidh was granted unconditional bail and is due to return to court on August 20 for legal arguments. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring instructed him to attend in person.

A large crowd waving tricolours and Palestine flags cheered as the rap trio arrived at the central London courthouse wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts.

Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag. The individual was met with boos and chants of "Free Palestine" before being escorted away.

Wow. The turnout outside the court for @KNEECAPCEOL in London #Kneecap pic.twitter.com/Itmtr2NWQk

— Love Music Hate Racism (@lmhrnational) June 18, 2025

The moment when @KNEECAPCEOL arrived at Westminster Magistrates to hundreds outside standing in solidarity with Mo Chara and for a free Palestine 🇵🇸🇮🇪

Speaking out for Palestine is not a crime #DropTheCharges #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/6A1c9YJqJI

— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) June 18, 2025

Ó hAnnaidh is charged with displaying a flag "in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion" that he supported Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK. The charge relates to a November Kneecap concert last year at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London.

Kneecap say the flag was thrown on stage and deny supporting Hezbollah or Hamas. They claim the prosecution is politically motivated and aimed at silencing their criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

"British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with ‘terrorism’ for crimes never committed," wrote the group in a statement on X. "We will fight them. We will win."

The rapper’s legal team includes prominent human rights lawyers Gareth Peirce and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC. Sinn Féin MPs Paul Maskey and John Finucane were among those addressing the rally outside court, accusing the UK of double standards over its response to the war in Gaza.

Tomorrow, the group will play a sold-out show in Fairview Park in Dublin.